ACL Div. 1: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-14 St Loman’s 0-13. 

Two more ACL Div.1 points brought a very young Mullingar Shamrocks team closer to a place in the final of the ACL. 

The sides were level at 0-3 each after 15 minutes. Jack Geoghegan opened the scoring but the Shamrocks response was immediate as Killian Mooney kicked a beauty of a point and quickly added a second from the St Loman’s restart. A great turnover by Dylan Matthews created an opportunity for Dean Moore who added a third point for Shamrocks. Points from Niall Duffy and Michael Weir brought the sides level after 15 minutes. Points from Trevor Keena and Dean Moore restored the Shamrocks lead. Killian Mooney gained possession from the St Loman’s restart and soloed through the blue defence and planted the ball in the back of Daniel McCann’s net.

Eoin Meehan pointed but Dylan Franzoni responded with a similar score. In the final minute of the half, Cillian Plunkett and Shane Dempsey with a pair of points brought the interval score to 1-6 to 0-6.  

The second half began with a flurry of scores as four points were shared in as many minutes between Shane Dempsey and Dean Moore. Dean’s second, from play, was created by a great fetch and delivery by Donnacha Maguire. Eoin Meehan and Denis Corroon exchanged points before things settled for a while. Kilian Mooney swung over a great two-pointer made possible by one of Dillon Matthew’s galloping runs. Cillian Plunkett pointed to reduce the gap to  five points. Alex Sheerin replaced Trevor Keena for what was his senior football debut for the club.

Ty Masterson, playing like a man who has been playing senior football for years, pointed before his first cousin Donnacha slotted over a 45. David Whelan and Shane Dempsey added points to the St Loman’s total before Donnacha Maguire added a second pointed 45 to his total. This 45 resulted from a fine piece of combined paly from Brian Guerin in his comeback game and Alex Sheerin making his debut. Brian created the turnover and chip lifted before surging forward and finding Alex whose run-in from the end line ended with a block down and a 45 (1-14 to 0-12). Before the final whistle, Brian and Alex again combined and this time Alex finished to the net to clinch the League points and keep the hopes of a final place alive. A Jack Geoghegan point completed the scoring for St Loman’s.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Ben Sheerin, Dillon Matthews (1-0), Adam Glynn; Efe Siode Brendan O’ Reilly, Dylan Franzoni (0-1); Donnacha Maguire (0-2), Ty Masterson (0-1); Killian Mooney (1-4), Davy Gavin (Matthew Shaw), Alan Cashman (Brian Guerin); Dean Moore (0-4), Denis Corroon (0-1), Trevor Keena (0-1) [Alex Sheerin, 1-0].

 ACL Div.2: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-18 Milltown 2-18

A great result for the lads in this ACL Div.2 game against Milltown in Springfield. It means that survival in Division 2 is now likely, the  lads battled to the end and played some very good football in what was a great team effort. And our record against Milltown isn’t great (Jack Sheedy’s  managerial career with Shamrocks began with a loss to Milltown and never subsequently recovered). 

In the early stages of tonight’s game it didn’t look great either as Milltown raced into a 1-5 to 0-0 lead with  points from Ben McGaughran (0-3), Conor Lynn and Matthew Gunning and a goal from Paul Mahon. It might have been worse. Dylan Murtagh raced through the Shamrocks defence and Adam Buckley somehow got a hand to his shot for a vital save.

Trevor Keena stopped the rot with a point that began with a fine piece of fielding by Neil Hannigan. A superb strike into the wind by Ross Corroon added two points to the Shamrocks total; another great Ross strike added another point and when Conn O’ Hanlon finished a great move to the back of the Milltown net Shamrocks were very much back in the game. Conor Lynn pointed but quick points from Ross and Conor Heffernan brought the sides level (1-6 each). Milltown regained control and added 1-3 without interruption before points from Killian Mooney and Ross Corroon brought the interval score to 2-9 to 1-8.

Now is an appropriate time to mention the referee Eoin Gorman. We almost didn’t know there was a referee on the pitch on Wednesday evening, always the best sign of a referee. Eoin arrived in Springfield with a full team of umpires, immaculately dressed in their white jackets and wired for contact with the referee. This is the kind of professionalism that is welcome. 

Ben McGaughran and Trevor Keena exchanged points following the restart before Killian Mooney and Matthew Shaw combined to create an opportunity for Conor Heffernan who kicked a great two-pointer. Conor showed signs of returning to his pre-cruciate injury form on this outing. Ross Corroon pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum (2-10 to 1-12). Points from McGaughran and Lynn extended the lead once again but when Neil Hannigan goaled from a great passing movement the sides were level (2-12 each).  Conor Lynn managed to hit the post when through on goal and a great Adam Buckley save denied Ben McGaughren.

A breach infraction provided McGaughren with a simple tap over free, Conor Heffernan responded with a point for Shamrocks. Points from Aidan Maguire and Patrick Somers edged Milltown into the lead again but Ross Corroon had the answer for that lead – another superb strike added two points to the Shamrocks total (2-15 each). Trevor Keena emulated the earlier feat of Conor Lynn and rocked the post with his shot when through on goal. It was that type of game. Matthew Gunning and Donnacha Maguire pointed as did Ben McGaughren and Matthew Shaw. 

Shamrocks responded each time Milltown went ahead but when Conor Gibney pointed in the final stages, it seemed as if Milltown might win the day. However there was time for two more plays and in a hectic finish, a Milltown breach infraction presented Ross Corroon with a simple tap over free to bring the sides level. It was the last kick of what was a fine game of football during which 4-36 was split evenly between the teams. Eight Shamrocks players contributed to the scoreboard with Ross Corroon leading the way with 0-9 to his credit including 2 two-pointers. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; Dónal Lane, Davy Coyne, Ronan Byrne; Matthew Shaw (0-1), Conn O’ Hanlon (1-0), Pierce Corroon; Nathan Gavin, Ciaran Kiernan (Donnacha Maguire, 0-1); Neil Hannigan (1-0)[Alan Cashman], Killian Mooney (0-1) [Nathan Cornally], Brian Farrell; Conor Heffernan (0-4), Ross Corroon (0-9),Trevor Keena (0-2) [Tommy  Daly].  

 

Under-12s Green, White and Orange squads in action

Green v The Downs: We travelled out to the Downs for the last match in the first phase of the League. On a beautiful evening for football, the lads were on it from the throw in and put in a very good display from start to finish. All 17 boys played their part and we moved the ball very well at times and got some great team scores. Well done to all, looking forward to Phase 2.

Orange v Milltownpass: Well done to our Under-12 Orange Squad tonight v Milltownpass.

We showed great character to come back from 3 points down to go 3 points up and unlucky to conceed a goal at the end.

This game brings a close to phase 1 and we played some fantastic football throughout.

White v Milltownpass: Great effort by the Under-12 White team against St Mary's Rochfortbridge. The lads gave it their all, from the throw-in right to the final whistle and were every bit a match for the opposition.   The balmy conditions contributed to fast flowing football, and the boys showcased some fine skills as they brought the training ground learnings onto the playing field. They've all made great progress over the course of the first league phase. Roll on Phase 2 

 

Thanks to all 

Who supported our Development Draw on Saturday as we  took to the streets for the first time to sell tickets. The response was wonderful and the sales exceeded our expectations. 

There is great goodwill for Mullingar Shamrocks as we set out on our development work. And thanks to all those who volunteered and devoted several hours to selling tickets at our three sales points before and after the Cavan v Westmeath game. So to Spike Fagan, Padraig Murtagh, Anne Ryan, Niamh Kelly, Margaret Donohoe, Michelle Gavigan, Jacquie Corroon, Ned Moore, Deirdre Jameson, Niamh Newman, David Nohilly, Mairéad Newman, Tom Hunt and Debbie Newman thanks for your selflessness.

Thanks also to those who supported our draw for 2 tickets to the Westmeath v Cavan match. The winner was Kevin O' Connell. Enjoy the match, Kevin. The draw will help to fund the trip of out Under-15 LGF team to the National Féile Finals in Derry on the last weekend in June.

7, 12, 13, 20 were the numbers drawn in the Lotto and there was no Jackpot winner. Dermot Caffrey and Antoinette Miller were the €50 Lucky Dip winners. 

 

Under-10 Girls Day Out in Cusack Park

 

A great day out in TEG Cusack Park for some of our u10 girls cheering on wWestmeath.

The girls made a guard of honour for the Westmeath ladies and cheered them onto the pitch before throw in. They then played Shandonagh at half-time with all girls having lots of fun and showing us some great skills. 

The girls made sure to get photos and autographs after the game in what was a memorable day for the girls and we will hopefully see a few of them in the maroon jersey in the future. Big thanks to Westmeath LGFA for organising and the treats afterwards. 

Shoutout to our Shamrocks ladies Anna Jones and Siobhán Ní Dhomhnail who both played their part in Westmeath’s win. Next up for the Westmeath ladies is Louth on June 7th. 

Big thanks to all families for cheering on the girls and to coaches Sophie and Declan and to Karen who was also on commentary duties for the game.

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