Cawley points Westport to final showdown

Westport 0-8

Monivea Abbey 0-7

 

THERE was no shortage of drama at MacHale Park, Castlebar, today.

A converted injury-time free by Lewis Cawley sent Westport into the Connaught Club IFC final meeting with Sean O’Heslins of Leitrim.

The sides couldn’t be separated at the end of the first half which was tied at 0-4 apiece but Westport could look forward to the assistance of the wind in the second half.

However, it was the Galway champions who were well in command for the opening 15 minutes of the second half to go two ahead and looking the likely winners leading by at 0-6 to 0-4.

Monivea Abbey had a huge let-off when Phil Keegan saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line but it was Westport’s refusal to die and the courage of Cawley which kept the fire burning as Cawley kicked two frees to level twice at 0-6 apiece and then 0-7 apiece as this game appeared to be heading for extra-time.

However, Monivea were punished for taking a free which was not within the required distance when it found another Monivea player and the resultant Westport free was landed from all of 40 yards by the ice cool Cawley.

It proved to be the winner as Cathal Coleman had a chance to tie this game deep into injury time but his effort drifted wide of the post as the Galway champions were left to rue so many missed chances.

But it was the never-say die spirit of Westport that triumphed and they had GAA Footbaler of the Year and All-Star Lee Keegan who, along with Cawley, had a huge influence on this game while Kevin Keane, another Mayo star, gave a brilliant performance at full-back for the seasiders.

Westport: P. O’Malley N. McManamon, K. Keane L. Ketterick, K. Dever, J. Walsh, B. McDermott (0-1), L. Keegan, S. Scott, F. McDonagh (0-3, 3f), P. Keegan, C. Higgins, C. Moran (0-1), P. Lambert, L. Cawley (0-3, 3f).

Subs used: D. Horan for Higgins, O. McLoughlin for Lambert (45)

Monivea Abbey: D. Farragher, B. McDonagh B. O’Donnell, C. Treacy D. Mullins, C. Mulrym C. Maher, B. Flaherty (0-1), T. Mullins, C. Coleman (0-3, 3f) B, Flaherty C. Media (0-1) E Blade, E. Roche, B. McDonagh,

Subs used: F. Garvey 24 for Treacy (15) C. Kennedy (0-1) for E. Roche, L. Laheen for C. McDaid.