A brilliant all-round performance helped St. Loman's record a fully deserved 7-5 to 4-4 victory over Athlone in a marvellously entertaining under 14 county final. Displaying great style and panache, St Loman's slammed in three late goals to ensure they added the championship crown to the Feile trophy they landed earlier in the season against the same opponents. Throw in the league title and one can see why this team has created such a stir in both club and county. The first half of the decider was 17 minutes old when corner forward Alan Stenson sent Ciaran Lynam clear and the evasive full forward made no mistake from close range. This proved to be the decisive score of the opening period as St Loman's held a slender 1-2 to 0-2 lead at the interval. Lynam came close to registering his second goal of the game shortly after the restart but his fierce drive rebounded off the post. Fortunately, Niall Foran - displaying great predatory instincts - was on hand to apply the finishing touch and send the Blues six points clear. Moments later St Loman's had gone further in front when Conrad Reilly and Eoin Price combined to create an opening for Robbie Lynch who finished with aplomb, giving St Loman's a 3-2 to 0-2 advantage. Athlone replied with a point from John Connellan but Ciaran Lynam raised a white flag of his own to maintain his side's healthy lead. And when towering midfielder John Ahearne was felled in the box his midfield partner Robbie Lynch expertly converted the resultant spot-kick, hitting the inside of the post with a marvellous effort which appeared to put St. Loman's out of sight. Athlone stuck to their task defiantly and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession which reduced the deficit to just six points. Amazingly, the lead was cut even further when corner forward John Stapleton fired in another goal for the Shannonsiders which left the scoreline reading 4-3 to 3-3 in favour of St Loman's. The next score was always going to be vital and St Loman's, showing greater skill and determination, landed it. Niall Foran pointed from an acute angle to ease their nerves before substitute Eoin Price pounced for a superb goal with ten minutes remaining. Conrad Reilly added to the goal tally moments later when he rounded the 'keeper and found the net having been put through by Paul Leonard and the Mullingar side were assured of victory when Robbie Lynch completed his hat-trick, curling his shot soccer-style past the advancing Athlone custodian to put the seal on a truly memorable final. Afterwards, influential midfielder John Ahearne collected the cup from Minor Board Chairman Michael McHugh amid scenes of great delight. The captain had played an integral role in their success, lending a hand in attack without ever neglecting his defensive duties. But it was a real team effort which brought St Loman's the honours. Goalkeeper Antoin Savage was flawless throughout the season with defenders Joseph Maleady (maintaining a proud family tradition in the full back line), Martin Connell and Timmy Murphy watertight and resolute at all times. The half back line of David Byrnes, Phillip Coughlan and David Rushe defended brilliantly with all three surging forward to create an overlap at various stages. Midfielders John Ahearne and Robbie Lynch were magnificent, winning the lion's share of possession which all six forwards and substitue Eoin Price used to great effect. Overall it was a performance the whole club could be proud of and their progress through the ranks should lead to more honours for the progressive Mullingar outfit. Team and scorers: Antoin Savage; Joseph Maleady, Martin Connell, Timmy Murphy; David Byrnes, Phillip Coughlan, David Rushe; John Ahearne, Robbie Lynch (3-1); Paul Leonard, Conrad Reilly (1-1), Niall Foran (1-1); Alan Stenson (0-1), Ciaran Lynam (1-1), Adam Price. Substitutes: Eoin Price (1-0). More Silverware for St Loman's A typical piece of opportunism by Kenny Lyons helped St Loman's clinch their first Feis Cup for 35 years and give new manager PJ Carroll real cause for optimism in the season ahead. Lyons got on the end of a long Jonathan Plunkett delivery to stab home a crucial goal in the dying moments of his side's encounter with Coralstown/Kinnegad. It was no more than the Mullingar side deserved having endured the heartache of a replayed semi-final defeat to eventual champions Garrycastle in the championship. The victory was also the second part of a remarkable double for the club as they had captured the under-14 championship title in a curtain raiser held at Rochfortbridge. And while it's far from as significant as a senior championship success - is proof that the underage success is now beginning to bear fruit at adult level, a point highlighted by captain James Davitt in his acceptance speech afterwards. The game itself was keenly contested from the throw-in, with both sides anxious to end the season with a piece of silverware in the cabinet. Paul Martin - who, despite his tender years had been a revelation last season - opened the scoring for St Lomans with a fine point after just 30 seconds. Further points from another fine young player, Colin Whyte and Robbie Kenny extended the lead to 0-3 to 0-0 after 12 minutes. Kinnegad's response was immediate and they had levelled proceedings in the space of five minutes. Enda Lambden restored St Loman's advantage however, when he finished a flowing move involving Robbie Kenny and Colin Whyte over the bar but the crucial score of the half arrived moments later when Kenny Lyons gathered a long Tonny Lambden delivery before blasting a powerful shot to the corner of the net. Further points from Paul Martin gave the Blues a comfortable 1-6 to 0-4 interval lead. Coralstown/Kinnegad came back strongly in the second period and a goal by midfielder Fergal Dardis had restored parity by the ninth minute. Enda Lambden edged his side in front once more when he landed his second point of the game following good work by Robbie Kenny and Kenny Lyons. The lead ebbed and flowed at this stage before Larry Giles pointed to send Kinnegad two clear with only six minutes remaining. In times gone by this would have been enough to cause the Loman's players to drop their heads but the team is a different proposition these days and they responded with great heart and desire. Paul Martin narrowed the deficit to a single point before Lyons grabbed that all-important goal in the last minute of playing time. Larry Giles replied with a point for Kinnegad but with time running out Lyons knocked over the insurance point to secure a famous 2-10 to 1-11 victory. "It was really important to finish the season with a trophy of some sort," agreed popular club secretary Ken Eades. "It gives us something to build on for next season, following the league success earlier in the year." Eades was bitterly disappointed with the manner in which the team exited the championship last season but he believes the return of a few key players could see them pushing for major honours next season. "I don't like making excuses but we were depleted for the replay against Garrycastle. No team can afford to lose the likes of Dermot Brady, Mark Gaye, Enda Matthews, Aidan Canning, Colin Kelly or Gary Glennon but that's exactly what we were faced with. In the end we were comprehensively beaten but those lads would've made a sizeable difference." Ken is also pleased with PJ Carroll's decision to remain at the club as he believes he has brought out the best in a number of players. "Lads like Vinny Gavin and Johnny Dowdall have thrived under PJ's management, not to mention younger lads like Paul Martin, Ciaran Kilmurray, Niall McGurran and Mark Syron. He's not afraid to pick younger players and so far none of them have let him down." Having won Division One and Feis Cup honours in the space of twelve months there's only one obstacle left for St Loman's to conquer. That elusive championship crown still teases them. The St Loman's side which captured the Feis Cup was as follows: Damien Roche; Mark Syron, James Davitt, Jonathon Plunkett; Gary Glennon, Kenny McKinley, Charlie Chaplin; Tommy Lambden, Enda Lambden (0-2); Robbie Kenny (0-1), Johnny Dowdall, Kieran Kilmurray; Colin Whyte (0-1), Kenny Lyons (2-1), Paul Martin (0-5). Sub: Niall McGurran for Chalpin Loman's win Feile na nOg St. Loman's produced a magnificent performance to overwhelm Athlone by 5-10 to 1-3 in the Feile na nOg final at Cusack Park last April. The sides later renewed rivalry in the county championship with Loman's once again coming out on top. Both victories were particularly sweet for the Mullingar outfit as they had lost to Athlone in the under 12 championship final of 1999. Loman's laid the foundations for victory in the opening quarter when they scored 1-5 without reply. Ciaran Lynam accounted for the early goal while Robbie Lynch, Darren McConville and Paul Leonard also weighed in with points. Athlone managed to hold the St. Loman's attack over the next seven or eight minutes but when Owen Price fired to the net just before half-time, they were left with a mountain to climb. The half-time score was St. Loman's 2-6, Athlone 0-1. Any hopes the Shannonsiders had of making a recovery were dashed within a minute of the restart when Robbie Lynch blasted a penalty to the net. Three minutes later, the game was over as a contest when Lynch slotted home a second penalty. Loman's continued to dominate and a fifth goal from Ciaran Lynam was the icing on the cake. Afterwards, team captain John Aherne received the Feile trophy from Minor Board vice-chairman Ger Kenny. The St. Loman's panel was: Philip Coughlan, Joseph Maleady, Martin Connell, Antoin Savage, David Rushe, Adam Price, Timmy Murphy, John Aherne, Robbie Lynch, Owen Price, Conrad Reilly, Niall Foran, Darren McConville, Ciaran Lynam, Paul Leonard, David Burns, Jason Daly, Matthew Kelly, Enda Walshe, Shane Doolin, Ciaran Hegarty, Darren O'Dowd, Paul McGann, Niall Mulcair, Karl Maycock, Darren Quinn, Marius Scanlon and Alan Stenson. Tweet

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