Leinster club SFC: Garrycastle send 'Boden packing
November 23, 2009
Garrycastle's David Shaughnessy gets away from Ballyboden's Stephen Hiney during the Leinster SFc semi final.
Dessie Dolan produced another man of the match display as Garrycastle became only the fourth Westmeath club to qualify for the Leinster club football final with an impressive victory over a much-fancied Ballyboden St. Enda's at Cusack Park.
Garrycastle...1-8
Ballyboden St. Enda's..0-6
It was also the first time the Lake County champions had beaten a side from their capital in this competition. The Dublin champions came to Mullingar with a lofty reputation, but struggled in the wet and windy conditions against a Garrycastle team who played some inspired football, particularly in the second half when they faced into the elements.
Dessie Dolan scored the first two points before Dublin hurling captain Stephen Hiney - who missed a glorious goal-scoring opportunity - finally opened Ballyboden's account in the 20th minute. Paddy Mulvihill, Dolan again and James Duignan tagged on further Garrycastle points before Andrew Kerin made it 0-2 to 0-5 on the stroke of half-time.
When Simon Lambert cut the gap to just two points - 0-5 to 0-3 - one minute after the restart, it looked as though the wind-assisted Dublin champions would go on to win. But an outrageous point from Dolan into the teeth of the wind in the 39th minute restored the Athlone's side half-time advantage before 19-year-old wing back Mark McCallon fired home the only goal moments later following a great move to put six points between the sides.
Conal Keaney, who was unable to start the game due to a bout of 'flu, came on to send over a '45', and Kerin added another point for 'Boden, but Garrycastle were always in control and sealed victory with late scores from Gary Dolan and David O'Shaughnessy.
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