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Athlone make it three from three

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Maryland's Liam Reilly and Athlone's Paul Bannon contest possession in midfield.

Athlone 0-12 Maryland 0-9.

THERE is a very fresh look about this Athlone side that has by now foced many to sit up and take note. They will be the first to admit they have their critics but they have been answering all of the questions that have been put to them and on Saturday evening in Moate they produced a spirited performance when injury time kicked in to defeat Maryland by three points.
The Drumraney outfit left themselves with a mountain to climb when they trailed at half time by 0-8 to 0-3 after playing into the clubhouse end of the ground and into a strong Westerly breeze. However Maryland only allowed Athlone just a singled point in normal time in the second half and found themselves a point on level terms on the scoreboard with two minutes of the seven allocated of injury time.
By then Maryland had been dealt a severe blow after full back David Reynolds was carried by a stretcher to the dressing rooms with five minutes remaining. Athlone lost their goalkeeper Darren Costello who cam out almost twenty- five meters on the left to contest the ball but landed badly incurring a head injury and alerted the medical people of his problem with vision, but he recover afterwards after being also carried by stretcher to the clubhouse.
Dermot Bannon returned as a second half substitute after a lengthy lay off through injury while John Egan will have to undergo an operation of a cruciate. In the middle of the field Paul Bannon ruled supplying good ball into his forwards.
The defence was strong starving the Maryland forwards of possession in the opening half hour forcing Callum McCormack to move to a role where he would add support to midfield to get the ball into the forwards.
David Martin was accurate from frees and Kieran Martin did Trojan work in the half forward line with John Reilly producing two great points in the either half. Aidan O'Dea replaced the injured Athlone goalkeeper Darren Costello twenty three minutes into the second half and was called upon almost immediately to pull off a fine save when faced with a one on one situation with Callum McCormack.
Both sides had entered the contest with a 100% winning record after the six week lay off that saw many teams having to deal with ring rust in the opening half. Athlone seemed to be immune sending over five points in the opening twelve minutes.
Their full forward line of Joe Fallon, Mickey Green and John Connellan are a match for any defence but to his credit David Reynolds at full back for Maryland was impressive under pressure.
However between them the Athlone full forward clocked up either points and all six forwards were on the score sheet by full time being powered by Tom Stuart Traynor at centre forward.
Gary Quinn was back from suspension was was strong at full back and on Wednesday last managed the Westmeath under sixteen side to a Fr Manning cup final appearance, three days after leading them to victory over an impressive Dublin side at Oldcastle.
Athlone went ahead in the second minute when Joe Fallon sent a '45 between the posts, while Alan Gaughan at left half forward, sent a ball to Brian Fogarty for Athlone's second.
Gaughan then took a long ball from defender Adam Ward and added number three, and Joe Fallon broke through the defence before his ball came off the crossbar on its way over.
Callum McCormack worked hard as always but his effort to find Maryland's opening pointy drifted to the left of the target, while at the Clara Road end David Reynold was penalised for over carrying and Fallon struck once more from close range.
A David Martin free kick into the wind gave Maryland their opening score after twelve minutes but John Connellan and Mickey Green replied at the other end. Callum McCormack saw his path to goal blocked but found John Reilly free for Maryland's second and then a third after a Kieran Martin free broke in his direction.
Enda Kincaid was now in the full forward line for Joe Harte. Callum McCormack made a strong solo run down the right wing but he shot curled too far right.
The latter was then booked for a tackle on Gary Quinn and Brian Fogarty delivered to Joe Fallon who had the final score of the half ahead of Barry Kelly's whistle.
James Reynolds came in for Aidan Reynolds for the second half and Athlolne fired a warning shot when Alan Gaughan shot across the goalmouth. Alan Gaughan dropped a '45 into the Maryland goalmouth but David Reynolds caught and cleared.
Dermot Bannon made a welcome return for Aidan St John and Alan Gaughan looked to be shooting for the top of the net when his effort went over but that would be Athlone's last score of the half until they produced three without reply inn injury time.
Maryland knew it was time to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and they fired over five unanswered points Callum McCormack was fouled and Kieran Martin sent over the free.
Christy Grimes came in for Anthony Reynolds. Mickey Green was shown a yellow for a challenge on Callum McCormack and John Reilly sent over the free.
Kieran Martin pointed from play and James Reynolds was there to collect the broken ball and send it between the posts and the difference was down to the minimum.
Athlone called in Dermot McManus for Adam Ward and Kenny Kincaid was drafted into defence for the injured David Reynolds.
Callum McCormack went for goal but substitute Aidan pulled off a save that was top class. A minute into injury time David Martin had the sides level from a free after Callum McCormack was fouled. The crowd were ready for a grandstand finish.
It was now time to test the teams character and Athlone delivered. Dermot Bannon fielded and sent the ball to Brian Fogarty and John Connellan was available to restore the Athlone lead. A Paul Bannon free kick was caught by John Connellan who was fouled and Joe Fallon converted the free.
The latter then fed Brian Fogerty and Tom Stuart Traynor was rewarded for his tireless efforts with the winning point.
Maryland are good enough to bounce back and they can and with two wins under their belts they should be able to turn things around in time for their next outing. As far as
Athlone are concerned it is back to training tonight (Tuesday) with Saturday's win now confined to history.

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