ACL Div. 1 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-14 Athlone 0-12

 

A lively encounter in Athlone as the ACL completions wind to a close. We still have to play Coralstown-Kinnegad in the ACL Div. 1, Castledaly in Div. 2 where we are now safe from relegation which is a superb achievement and The Downs in Div. 5. 

 

A John O’Reilly turnover after an opening phase of Athlone possession and from the fast-counter attack Paddy Fagan raced through but his shot was brilliantly saved by Rytis Liaukevicicus in the Athlone goal. Athlone cashed in on the let off and kicked two points in succession – Stephen Flaherty from a mark and Eamon Martin from the resultant restart. A Denis Corroon free reduced the deficit but Kieran Colclough form long range and Eamon Martin from a turnover extended the Athlone lead. At this stage, the Athlone swarm tackling and long wind-assisted deliveries were effective. However, Dean Moore and Lorcan Smith kicked points within a minute before Kieran Colclough from a 45 and long range added two Athlone points (0-6 to 0-3). Lorcan kicked a fine point from a distant free into the wind but from the restart Athlone’s corner forward Conor Rushe restored the 0-3 advantage. Brendan O’Reilly and Brian Guerin contributed points before Johnny Martin marked and pointed as Pat Fox called for an interval break with Athlone leading 0-8 to 0-6.

 

The second half began with three points in succession from marks, each one the subject of some debate and dispute: Denis Corroon and Jordan Warde called the first two and pointed Shamrocks level; John Stapleton pointed the third for Athlone (0-9 to 0-8). Two Dean Moore points sent Shamrocks into the lead for the first time (the second was also form a mark!) before Kieran Colclough pointed a 45 to equalize. Denis Corroon and Stephen O’Connor exchanged points (both frees) as did Brain Guerin and Eamon Martin as the game entered the final 10 minutes. A good passing movement ended with a Jordan Warde point to secure the crucial lead. In the last minute a turnover set Paddy Fagan free and Paddy rejected all the advice to hold on to the ball and kicked a fine long range point to secure the 0-14 to 0-12 victory in the game of 6 pointed marks. 

Well above the national average. 

 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Marc Eivers, David Gavin, Dillon Matthews; Conn O’ Hanlon (Conor O’Brien), Matt O’Shea, Brendan O’Reilly (0-1); Paddy Fagan (0-1), Brian Guerin (0-2); John O'Reilly (Ryan Blundell), Lorcan Smyth (0-2), Davy Coyne; Dean Moore (0-3), Denis Corroon (0-3), Jordan Warde (0-2).

 

ACFL Division 5: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-13, Ballycomoyle 0-9

 

We picked up 2 valuable points with this hard earned win away to Ballycomoyle on a wet Thursday evening. The tone was set with the very first move of the game. A well worked move down the right hand side ended with Neill Hannigan blasting to the net within the first minute. We continued to pile on the pressure in the first half with Shane Ormsby and Donal O’ Donoghue dominating midfield. 

 

We went in at the break leading 1-7 to 0-2. Ballycomoyle did stage a brief rally mid-way through the second half but we responded to score the last 3 points to leave us victors by a margin of 7 points. 

 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Liam English; Eamonn Breslin, Eddie Moore, Ben Egan; Tadgh Sheridan, Conor Fitzpatrick, Pearse Corroon; Donal O'Donoghue, Shane Ormsby; Neill Hannigan, Trevor Keena, Nathan Smith, Andrew Shaw, Ross Corroon, Conor Fagan. Subs: Seán Óg Hynes, Adam McCormack, Mikey Curley.

MJS Building and Development Under-14 League Final: St Loman’s 3-8 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-9

 

In the end St Loman’s survived to take the title but not before a great fight from the Shamrocks lads who recovered from a slow start but thundered into the game in the final quarter. 

St Loman’s dominated the early stages and pointed twice in the opening two minutes courtesy of Shane Canning and Billy Lambden. Canning added a second point before Michael Brennan goaled to send St Loman’s into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after 10 minutes. It was one-way traffic at this stage. However, two points within 30 seconds by Colm Clinton began the Shamrocks recovery. Unfortunately, the value of these scores was undone when St Loman’s were gifted a second goal scored by Sam Geoghegan. Colm Clinton responded with a third point and a brilliant save by Tom McCaul prevented a third goal for the neighbours. His opposite number James McHugh also saved brilliantly from Darragh Daly after Marius Buividavicius and Darragh combined to split the Loman’s defence. Marius followed up and with the sweetest of volleys smashed the ball to the net; a minute later Theo Kelly’s shot dipped under the crossbar and without warning the sides were level at 2-3 each. There was just time for one more play and St Loman’s made maximum use of the opportunity as Killian Raleigh goaled with what was the final play of the first half with St Loman’s leading by 3-3 to 2-3.

St Loman’s outscored Shamrocks 0-3 (Cathal KIlmurray 0-1 & Shane Canning 0-2) to 0-1 (Colm Clinton) during the third quarter. After 15 minutes, great work by Scott Farrelly and Oliver Keane ended with the latter kicking a great long-range point in the best Kerry tradition. This point began a long phase of Shamrocks dominance during which the St Loman’s lead was reduced to the minimum. Shay Leavy, Scott Farrelly, Oliver Keane and Colm Clinton dominated during this phase. Darragh Daly pointed after working a short free with Colm Clinton. Cathal Kilmurray pointed from play and a superb goal line block by Shane Canning from Darragh Daly prevented a certain goal. One of the crucial plays of the game as it transpired. Shamrock’s attacks were now relentless and two points from Colm Clinton reduced the deficit to the minimum (3-7 to 2-9). The equalizing point proved to be elusive and Cathal Kilmurray pointed a free to close the scoring for the evening but not before Tom McCaul showed his talent between the posts one more time with a great save. 

Both teams are to be complimented for the sporting manner in which the game was played, hardly a cross word was exchanged between the players all evening. The same comment applies to the mentors of both sides who also allowed referee Cathal Boland to get on with the task of refereeing the match without having to deal with any unsolicited advice from the sideline. 

The result was a disappointment for the Shamrocks boys but it was an evening where the positives far outweighed the negatives and we look forward to the championship. 

 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Tom McCaul; Carl Keane, Shay Leavy, Cian Traynor; Manus Kelly, Scott Farrelly, Conor Glynn; Colm Clinton (0-8), Oliver Keane; Theo Kelly (1-0), Darragh Daly (0-1), MJ Burke; Eddie Leavy (Killian Hand), Eoin Reddy (Mayus Virketis), Conor Matthews (Marius Buividavicius, 1-0).

 

ACL. Div. 2: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-7 St Mary’s Rochfortbridge 0-6.

 

A superb result in Rochfortbridge which gives our Div.2 side a great chance of holding our position in the league. Castledaly play Milltown tonight and if they win that match our last match of the league with Castledaly will have relegation as the prize for the losers.

The victory against St Mary’s was well deserved and we controlled the game very well in the second half with Dónal O’Donoghue particularly influential. Shane Ormsby scored a beauty of a goal in the first half. Conor O’Brien had a huge input into our second goal combining with Ross Corroon who flicked the ball to Trevor Keena who completed the job in style. 

 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Eamonn Breslin, Aaron Purcell Dylan Franzoni (0-1); Pearse Corroon, David Coyne, Brendan O’Reilly (0-1); Shane Ormsby (1-0), Dónal O’Donoghue; Ryan Blundell (0-1), Conor O’Brien (0-1), John O’Reilly (0-1); Trevor Keena (1-0), Ross Corroon (0-2), Niall Hannigan. Replacements used: Eddie Moore, Conor Fitzpatrick, Gary Corroon, Nathan Smith.

 

Fixtures

 

MJS Building and Development U14 Football Div. 4, Round 6: Athlone v Mullingar Shamrocks, Tuesday 4 June, 7.00, Pairc Chiarain, Athlone. 

 

MJS Building and Development U14 Football Div. 4 Round 7: Mullingar Shamrocks v Maryland-Tang Friday 7 June, 7.00, Springfield. 

 

MJS Building and Development U14 Football Div. 4 Round 8: Lilliput Gaels v Mullingar Shamrocks 7:00, Ballinagore

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