1963 Junior League Semi-Final

Well contested Junior League semi-final

In a well contested Junior Football League semi-final at Cusack park on Sunday, The Downs and Caulry finished on level terms, 1-05 to 2-02 after the Downs had led, 1-01 to nil at half time.

The sides served up an entertaining hours of football, but both sets of forwards, particularly The Downs, were inclined to over elaborate matters, failing to get results for their efforts. Half way through the second half, with The Downs leading 1-05 to 0-02 it seemed they would win, but the Caulry side put in a good last quarter, doing most of the attaching and got the two goals needed to bring them level.

The game began with Caulry slightly favoured by a cross wind. It was The Downs, however, who got into their stride quickest and went into attack. From an attacking move in the 4th minutes, with the ball in the Caulry square, the referee awarded a penalty to The Downs. Caulry goalie Stephen Hanevy made a great attempt to save Paddy Nolan's drive, but although he blocked it down, he failed to stop the ball entering the net. For the remainder of the first quarter, The Downs had the better of the exchanges and a point by Walter Walsh after 13 minutes put them 1-01 to nil ahead. Caulry pressure at this stage brought two wides but no scores. The Downs goalie Mick Seery saved well. Both backlines were showing up to advantage, but not so the forwards ad there were no further scores before the interval, The Downs leading 1-01 to nil.

Immediately after the resumption of play Walter Walsh sent over a nice point for The Downs, finishing off an attacking move. After 6 minutes of the half, Caulry had their first score of the game, a point, when Joe Daly shot into The Downs goalmouth and goalie Seery did well to punch the ball over the bar. In an attack by The Downs, full forward Mick Corcoran was fouled and Walter Walsh pointed the free, leaving them 1-03 to 0-01 in front.

The Downs attacked again and in the 9th minute, a shot across the goalmouth as they pressed for a score was finished to the net by Jack Nolan, but no score was given, the goal being disallowed. A few minutes later, Caulry had their second point, Jack Allen collecting a Tom Fitzgerald pass and sending over a long range effort. With 15 minutes of the half gone, The Downs attacked and were awarded a free, Paddy Nolan pointing. This was followed by a point from The Downs midfielder, Dom Murtagh - who was prominent in the game at this stage - leaving the side 1-05 to Caulry's 0-02.

It seemed as if Caulry were beaten, but they mounted a series of attacks and were rewarded when, with 13 minutes to go, Tom Fitzgerald sent a shot into The Downs goalmouth, the goalkeeper pushed the ball out, but Caulry substitute Tom Seery was there to shoot to the net, leaving The Downs 1-05 to 1-02 in front.

A reshuffled Caulry attack were in full stride at this stage, with Westmeath Minor Pat Malone gone from defence to the forwards. With 9 minutes left, Caulry substitute Brian Kelly kicked upfield. Midfielder Pat Allen got possession, and sent the ball into The Downs square again, from where P.J. Cunningham finished it to the net, leaving the side level. The Downs pressed for the remaining minutes, Caulry goalie, Hanevy, making a fine save, but no further scores came - although three wides did - and so it was a draw, 1-05 to 2-02.

Best players for The Downs were goalie Mick Seery; full backs McKay, McLoughlin and Monaghan; paddy Nolan, Dom Murtagh, Oliver Fay, Tom Gilhooley and Walter Walsh.

Caulry were best served by Joe Hanevy, Pat Malone, Oliver Nugent, Jack Allen, P.J. Fox, pat Allen, Tom Fitzgerald, Brian Kelly and Steven Hanevy.

The Downs - M. Seery, J. McKay, J. McLoughlin, J. Monaghan, T. Gilhooley, P. Nolan(1-01), L. Reidy, D. Murtagh(0-01), L. O'Keeffe, J. Nolan, O. Fay, W. Walsh(0-03), T. Keegan, M. Corcoran and K. Molloy. Subs.: P. Walsh for T. Keegan; M. Maher for K. Molloy.

Caulry - Steven Hanevy, Frank Conlon, Joe. Hanevy, John. Kelly, Hubert McManus, Padraig Malone, Oliver Nugnet, T.J. Fox, Pat Allen, Jack Allen, Tom Fitzgerald, J. Daly, Paddy. Muldoon, P.J. Cunningham, Jimmy Browne. Subs.: Tom Seery for Jimmy Browne, Brian Kelly for Paddy Muldoon.