Dolan saves holders

A last-minute point by James Dolan earned holders Garrycastle a second chance after an exciting battle with Mullingar Shamrocks in the county SFC final at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

Shamrocks led by a Donal O’Donoghue point deep in injury time, but Garrycastle forced a 45 and when Dessie Dolan’s effort dropped short, his cousin James popped over the equaliser.

Shamrocks got off to a flying start when Lorcan Smyth scored a fortuitous goal, the ball dropping in over Garrycastle keeper Stephen Maguire. However the sides were level at half time, 1-3 to 0-6, with Dessie Dolan supplying four of those Garrycastle points.

Garrycastle went on to lead by two, but points by Donal O’Donoghue, Darragh Daly and two from Aonghus Smyth, saw Shamrocks take the lead. But Garrycastle hit back to earn a replay, which has been fixed for October 23.

Scorers for Garrycastle: D Dolan 0-7 (0-2fs, 1 45), P Mulvihill 0-2, R McGowan, J Dolan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Mullingar Shamrocks: L Smyth 1-2, A Smyth, D O’Donoghue 0-2 each, D Daly, C Curley 0-1 each.

GARRYCASTLE: S Maguire; E Mulvihill, J Gaffey, A Fox; K Henson, D Harte, M McCallon; S O’Donoghue, D O’Shaughnessy; R McGowan, J Duignan, J Dolan; C Cosgrove, P Mulvihill, D Dolan. Subs: P Dillon for Cosgrove (37), G Dolan for Fox (54), A Daly for Duignan (57), . Maguire for McGowan (59).

MULLINGAR SHAMROCKS: P Shaw; A Purcell, K Gavin, E Moore; M Curley, D Gavin, A Smyth; D Daly, D O’Donoghue; F Spellman, D Corroon, D Miller; S Quinn, L Smyth, C Curley. Subs: A Clinton for Purcell (inj, 40), C Daly for Spellman (42), C O’Leary for Quinn (52).

Referee: Pat Fox.