Trailing for most of the opening forty minutes, Castlewellan wrought a spectacular turnaround in Sundays postponed Division One tie at Pettit Park and revived their fading Top Four ambitions as a consequence.
MUST WIN
It was a “must-win” situation for Town, and they rose spiritedly to the challenge of it with an imperious second half display. Reds, still, perhaps, floating on the euphoria of last weeks big win at Dunavil, never found the same room on this occasion, with Towns diligent half forwards more than willing to do their stint tackling back. And as the home team’s attempts to walk the ball through for scores became more and more predictable, Town struck cleanly on the break to finish up convincing winners.
GOOD START
For all that they were finding it more difficult to come by scoring chances this time, Rostrevor still benefitted from Castlewellans reluctance to accept the chances that came THEIR way, and so led 0-2 to 0-0 by the fifteenth minute, both their scores by Anthony Donnan, both prominently featuring Conor mackin whose lively running was creating all sorts of problems for the visitors. Two more fisted points from Colm Clerkin put Reds 0-4 to 0-1 up, but they were shocked in the 24th minute when Fintan McGreevey knocked a delightfully flighted free from Gregory Mccartan into the path of Cathal Crilly for a Castlewellan goal. But Rostrevor led deservedly at half time, Dermot Mackin appearing to get the final touch after a long free kick from Colm Clerkin caused consternation in the Castlewellan goalmouth.
SECOND HALF
Fintan McGreevey and Dermot Mackin exchanged points early in the second half, band then, in the 38th minute came the score which turned this match around, Again Fintan McGreevey was the lever, rising high in the goalmouth to knock the ball down to a team-mate. This time the recipient was Colm Flanagan and he too showed no hesitation in drilling the shot low past Christopher McCartan! Inside a couple of minutes, Gregory Mccartan had kicked a nonchalant point from fifty yards and cathal Crilly popped Town two clear, but Reds still had their chances. Colm Clerkin and Colm Murney ought to have accepted two good pointing opportunities, but the moment when Reds realised that this was not going to be their day was when they watched a shot by Anthony Donnan come back off the base of Michael Watson’s far upright and roll across the goalmouth before curling wide of the opposite post!
Castlewellan took full advantage of their escape. Fintan McGreevey rose high to fist over a Cathal Crilly cross. Damien McGrady saw his speculative shot bounce over the crossbar and McGreevey added two more points before Conor Daly managed a close-in free four minutes from time.
This win leaves castlewellan with a very reasonable chance of making the play-offs. Their overall workrate was excellent as was their teamwork. As for individual performance there were none better than Gregory McCartan. Gregory just stood around the middle of the park and oozed his class over this game. Others who did well were goalkeeper Michael Watson, defenders Ruairi Brogan,, Eamon Hardy and Ruairi McArdle, and forwards Damien McGrady, Fintan McGreevey and Colm Flanagan.
Reds confidence fell away badly as things began to go away from them. But in the first half they had fine showings from Conor Mackin and Anthony Donnan in attack, and from Eamon McConville and, especially, Gary Magee, in defence
Rostrevor scorers; Dermot Mackin [1-1]; Anthony Donnan [0-2]; Colm Clerkin [0-2]; Conor Daly [0-1]
Castlewellan scorers; Cathal Crilly [1-1]; Fintan McGreevey [0-4]; Colm Flanagan [1-0]; Liam McKibben [0-1]; Gregory McCartan [0-1]; Damien McGrady [0-1]
Rostrevor team; Christopher McCartan; Gary Magee, Paul Magee, Aidan Cousins; Turlough Murphy, Eamon McConville, Kevin McGrath; Niall Farrell, Conor Magee; Conor Mackin, Colm Clerkin, John Fegan; Dermot Mackin, Brian Cole, Anthony Donnan
Castlewellan team; Michael Watson; Aidan Brogan, Stephen Trainor, Ruairi Brogan; Eamon Hardy, Ruairi McArdle, Bernard McAleenan; Gregory McCartan, Dean Anderson; Liam McKibben, Damien McGrady, Barry Travers; Colm Flanagan, Fintan McGreevy, Cathal Crilly
Referee: Leo Smyth [Mayobridge]