Ellistown Edges Past Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall in Junior Football Championship Thriller
In a nail-biting encounter at the AIB Leinster Club Junior Football Championship, Ellistown secured a hard-fought victory over Westmeath champions Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall (CFCW) with a score of 0-5 to 0-4. The match, marked by disciplined defensive play and missed opportunities, has propelled Ellistown into the quarter-finals, where they will face Longford’s Gratton Óg next weekend.
A Tense Opening Half
The first half unfolded under tight and tense circumstances, testing both teams’ defensive prowess. CFCW broke the deadlock early, with Joe Rabbit converting a free kick just four minutes into the game. Establishing an early lead, Rabbit quickly added another point from a free within the first twelve minutes, giving Westmeath champions a 0-2 cushion.
However, Ellistown demonstrated resilience as they struggled to penetrate a stifling CFCW defense. The Kildare champions found their footing in the 13th minute when Ciaran Lindy converted a long-range free from 40 meters, bringing Ellistown onto the scoreboard. From that point, CFCW would remain scoreless for the next 18 minutes as Ellistown began to assert themselves more.
Tadhg Watson became the catalyst for Ellistown’s offensive revival, slotting in two points from play at the 25th and 28th-minute marks. Despite squandering five scoring opportunities, Ellistown completed the first half leading 0-3 to 0-2.
Second Half: Strategies and Struggles
The second half commenced with Ellistown firmly in the driver’s seat, thanks to Watson’s early point, extending the lead to two. An incident on the field led to a contentious free awarded to CFCW, which Rabbit converted for a total of three points, keeping CFCW within striking distance.
However, as the match progressed, CFCW struggled to maintain possession. Ellistown capitalized on this lapse when a coordinated attack involving Evan Donnelly, Eoin Donnelly, and Darragh Watson reclaimed a two-point edge for the Kildare side. As the game wore on, though, Ellistown faced a notable challenge: they went scoreless for the final 17 minutes, failing to convert several scoring chances.
With the clock ticking down, CFCW’s substitute Ryan Plunkett narrowed the gap to just one point with a crucial free kick in the 60th minute, creating a tense finish. In the closing minutes of injury time, the pressure mounted. Ellistown’s backline tightened, reducing CFCW to just one shot over the final four minutes, ultimately sealing their narrow victory at 0-5 to 0-4.
Looking Ahead: Quarter-Finals on the Horizon
Ellistown’s win not only highlights their determination and skill but also sets the stage for an exciting quarter-final matchup against Gratton Óg. The dark horse from Longford will bring its unique challenges, and many observers are eager to see how Ellistown will adapt to the playstyle they will encounter.
Team Lineup:
Ellistown:
- Oran Donnelly
- Sean Lindy
- Andrew McLoughlin
- James Neilson
- Oisin O’Loughlin
- Darragh Watson (0-1)
- Pat Martin
- Conor Lindy (0-1)
- Shane Maughan
- Evan Donnelly
- Ciaran Lindy
- Eoin O’Loughlin
- Tadhg Watson (0-3, 1 free)
Substitutes: - Leo Lennox (for C Donnelly, 36)
- Max Lennox (for Lindy, 45)
- James Sutton (for T Watson, 54)
- Darren Kelly (for O O’Loughlin, 55)
CFCW:
- Gary Sullivan
- Oisin Gaffney
- Darragh O’Reilly
- Conor O’Grady
- Emmet Corrigan
- Ryan Moore
- Conor Gaffney
- Luke Moore
- Darren Kilcoyne
- Darragh McCormack
- John McCarthy
- Mark Cunningham
- Glen Plunkett
- Joe Rabbit (0-3 from frees)
Substitute: - Ryan Plunkett (0-1 free for McCarthy)
Future Implications
As Ellistown advances, this match serves as a reminder of the thin margins in championship football, where every point counts. The journey ahead will not be easy, and fans are encouraged to rally behind their teams as they battle for glory in the Leinster championship.
Your thoughts matter! Share your insights on Ellistown’s performance or your predictions for their upcoming clash against Gratton Óg in the comments below. Engaging in discussions about team strategies, standout players, and potential outcomes enriches our community’s appreciation for Gaelic football.
