The Downs 4-12 Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-15
Just two days after the funeral of Dom Murtagh, their former captain and one of their most famous players from a golden era in the 1960s and 1970s, The Downs deservedly won their 11th Westmeath senior football title in dreadful conditions in Mullingar, regaining the crown after a three-year gap with a six-point win against Coralstown/Kinnegad.
The Downs were unfortunate to have lost last year's final in a penalty shootout to St Loman’s, Mullingar after a replay, while Coralstown/Kinnegad had not won the Flanagan Cup since their only success in 1996. The Downs had won all six games en route to the final, while their opponents had lost three of their five round robin matches.
The underdogs started brightly despite playing against the wind and deservedly led by 0-02 to 0-01 after seven minutes. However, a flicked goal from close range by Kevin O’Sullivan and points from Dean Egerton and Luke Loughlin (a free) had The Downs a flattering four points ahead with 11 minutes elapsed.
Loughlin followed up with a great brace of two-point frees. When Tom Tuite kicked his second point in the 19th minute, the pre-match favourites led by nine points (1-08 to 0-02).
It looked ominous for Jack Cooney’s charges at this juncture, but a low-trajectory point from the manager’s son Brían preceded a goal from a very well-taken penalty kick by Callum Cruise in the 29th minute to give them a lifeline. A classy point from play by Loughlin in injury-time left Dermot Power’s men ahead by 1-09 to 1-03 at the break.
The gap was five points when Dean Egerton scored an opportunist goal in the 40th minute after great work by Loughlin, albeit following a suspicion of overcarrying. When Ian Martin scored the winners’ third goal – like the second with a first-time pull – the gap was nine points (3-10 to 1-07) with 49 minutes on the clock.
However, with skipper Darren Giles in inspirational form, Coralstown/Kinnegad refused to throw in the towel and he scored a two-pointer from play and a two-pointer from a free in quick succession to give his side hope. His day ended badly as he picked up a black card just past the hour to go with an earlier yellow, and with his dismissal his side’s chances evaporated. Jonathan Lynam availed of more good work by Loughlin to coolly slot home The Downs’ fourth and decisive goal in the third minute of added-time.
The Downs, who were Leinster finalists in 2022 when they lost to Kilmacud Crokes, will now face Offaly champions Tullamore at the same venue on November 16.
The Downs: Trevor Martin; Eanna Burke, Charlie Drumm, Peter Murray; Oisín Murphy, Ciaran Nolan, Joe Moran; Jonathan Lynam (1-00), Billy Moffatt; Kevin O’Sullivan (1-00), Ian Martin (1-00), Lorcan Mullen; Luke Loughlin (0-07, 2tpf, 2f), Dean Egerton (1-03), Tom Tuite (0-02).
Subs: C Coughlan for Moran (inj., h-t), A Kilmartin for Mullen (42), P Martin for Tuite (53), D O’Callaghan for Moffat (59), D Carroll for Egerton (60+5).
Coralstown/Kinnegad: Jason Macken; Eoin O’Brien, Danny Woods (0-01), Podge Quinn; Eoghan Bracken, David Giles, Josh Gahan; Ciaran Daly Jnr, Brían Cooney (0-01); James Maxwell (0-01), Ger Leech (0-04, 2tpf), Darren Giles (0-08, 2tpf, 2p); Dan Leech, Callum Cruise (1-00, pen), Connor Callaghan.
Subs: J Torpey for Maxwell (39), C Daly Snr for Bracken (43), S Fleming for Cruise (47), J Cole for D Leech (55), B McGrath for Callaghan (59).
Ref: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).
