Senior Championship:

St Loman’s Mullingar 4.21 The Downs 4.14

St Loman’s began their championship campaign with a seven point victory over the Downs in a high scoring affair at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday evening. St Loman’s got off to a flyer with John Heslin kicking a beautiful score off his left boot in the first minute. Tristan Graham who was making his Senior Championship debut then kicked over for the Blues second point. The returning Ronan O’Toole added a further point from a rebound after John Heslin hit the crossbar with a powerful shot. Heslin put over another point from a free for the Saint’s fourth point in as many minutes. The Downs got off the mark shortly afterward through Luke Loughlin. The first goal of the evening came in the 10th minute when some tenacious tackling from Heslin and Graham forced a turnover high up the pitch, before the latter duly found TJ Cox who fisted the ball past the onrushing Trevor Martin in the downs goal.

Ian Martin responded for the Black and Amber, before Loman’s kicked five consecutive points. Three of which came from Heslin and the remainder coming from another championship debutant Paul Whelehan, this really was an exhibition of scoring with both men making point-scoring look facile. The Downs then scored a point either side of a well taken point from TJ Cox for the Saints. The Downs then got back into the game with a goal of their own, but St Loman’s replied emphatically. TJ Cox ran directly at the Downs defence before being fouled as he was on the verge of shooting. Referee Pat Fox gave a penalty which was dispatched coolly by Heslin. Luke Loughlin added two more excellent points for the Downs before a superb point from Ronan O’Toole who was immense on his return to club football. St Loman’s scored their third goal just before the interval with O’Toole and Conradh Reilly involved heavily before the former found Tristan Graham who buried a low shot into the bottom right-corner of the net. What a way to introduce yourself into Championship football! The Blues led 3-11 to 1-06 at Half time.

The Black and Amber started the Second Half brighter and got an early goal when Jonathan Lynam broke through the centre and hit a daisy-cutter past Jason Daly in the Loman’s goal. The Blues replied with a point after some beautiful footwork from Heslin who pointed beautifully off his right boot. Both teams traded two points each afterward with O’Toole and Heslin on target for the Saints. Sam McCartan got on the score-sheet midway through the second half with a lovely point before Loughlin replied for The Downs. Luke Dempsey Introduced Ken Casey who wasted no time in showing his class with a magnificent point before Heslin did likewise to increase the margin to 10 points. Although shortly afterwards the Downs added 1-2 without reply to half the deficit, taking advantage of some loose marking from the Blues.

As was the theme of the game St Loman’s responded fantastically with Heslin pointing beautifully before substitute Fola Ayorinde broke away on a counter-attack and combined Ken Casey who laid the ball on a plate for Ayorinde to get the fourth goal of the evening for the Saints. The two teams then exchanged scores with Paul Whelehan getting a further two points to bring his personal tally to four points for the evening. Luke Loughlin got the 8th goal of the evening from the penalty spot and after that a further point but it was merely a consolation. John Heslin got the final score of the evening with a remarkable point to bring has tally for the evening to 1-10 for the evening, the same as Loughlin had for the Downs. In the end though the Blues ran out seven- point winners in a fantastically open game of football which was a joy to watch.

There were some excellent individual displays on the night, with David Whelan and Conor O’Donoghue showing their super-human fitness on the night, injecting serious pace to the game. In Midfield Conradh Reilly and David Windsor’s experience was vital in winning the centre-field battle. Up front Ronan O’Toole was fantastic. Paul Whelehan and Tristan Graham had wonderful debuts, but Graham deserves a special mention, at 18 years of age he looked like he was making his 100th appearance at this level and looks like a natural with a bright future ahead. Unsurprisingly Man of the Match must go to John Heslin who kicked 1-10 on his return, giving an exhibition in point scoring. All in all it was a great win for Loman’s and the best possible start, but they must now draw their attention to Tyrrellspass in the next round.

Team; Jason Daly, Sean Kelly, Darragh O’Keefe, Paddy Dowdall, David Whelan, Kelvin Reilly, Conor O’Donoghue, David Winsdor, John Heslin (1.10, 1 pen, 0.03f), Sam McCartan (0.01), Paul Whelehan (0.04), Ronan O’Toole (0.03), TJ Cox (1.01), Conradh Reilly, Tristan Graham (1.01).Subs used; Ken Casey (0.01), Fola Ayorinde (1.0), Stephen Gallagher.

Division 5 Season Review:

Congratulation to our Division 5 side who were crowned league champions last Sunday evening in Cusack Park, having defeated a gallant and youthful Downs side in the final by a score line of 5-9 to 1-13.

 

What makes this team’s success all the sweeter is the fact that (last December 2018) this team were minutes away from relegation to Division 6. On that particular day, St. Loman’s suffered a raft of late player-withdrawals and arrived in Springfield to play Mullingar Shamrocks with the minimum 15 players. Trailing by 9 points and with only 15 minutes left on the clock, the signs looked very ominous for the Blues. However a fantastic comeback in the dying moments saw Loman’s clinch the result that they needed, and which ultimately kept them in Division 5 for 2019. That particular result really epitomised the fight that this side contains.

 

Each and every one of the 35 strong panel (ranging in ages from 17 years old to 41 years old) made a contribution along the way, in fact only 4 players played in all of the league games, namely James McKenna, Oisin Hogan, Mickey Gleeson and the team captain Adam Carroll. Congratulations to the management and all 35 players involved, most have now picked up Junior B, Senior B and now Division 5 medals over the past 18 months and hopefully they will pick up even more silverware as the season progresses. Apart from the 4 aforementioned players the remaining panel was as follows ;Shane Boyce , Gary Bridges, Shane Cleary, Cian Cleary, James Cox, Sean Daly, Ja Farrell, Dano Fitzimmons, Enda Gaffney, Stephen Gallagher, Tristan Graham, Garrett Hickey, Tristan Johnson, Frank Kavanagh, Tommy Lambden, Paddy Lynam, Andy McKenna, Johnny Mee, Josh Murphy, Conan O’Hara, Conor O'Donoghue, Darragh O'Keefe, Johnny Plunkett, Ollie Plunkett, Sean Regan, Senan Russell, Rory Sheahan, Stephen Sheridan, Kyle Smith, Jack Tyrrell and Pat Walsh.

 

Finally, a very special mention to Mickey Gleeson who returns to the Royal County after 6 years of very dedicated service to the Blues, Mickey is an extremely popular member of the panel who gave so much to the club and will not be forgotten, we wish him all the best.

Club Meeting:

On Monday the 22nd July at 8.30 pm there will be a meeting in the clubhouse for all members. All areasked to attend.

 

Club Lotto:

Draw Date: Thursday July 11th

This Week’s Jackpot: €9200

No Jackpot Winner!

Numbers drawn: 4, 8, 18, 28.

€50 Consolation Prize winners each are as follows:

1. Charlie Clinton

2. Angie Lynch

3. John McCarthy

4. Eamonn Clinton

Next draw: Thursday 11th July

Next Week’s Jackpot: €9300.

Remember it could be you!

 

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