Senior Football Championship: Relegation Semi-Final:  Mullingar Shamrocks 1-15 Shandonagh 1-9

In the end it  was a comfortable victory but it wasn't until the final ten minutes that the spectre of relegation from senior ranks was finally exorcised. In those final minutes, Mullingar Shamrocks played with some of the flamboyance that was present back in 2018 when Ned led us into the promised land of an unexpected senior title in what was a triumph of managerial and playing excellence.  

Wind assisted Shandonagh dominated the early exchanges and led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the first water break. Mikey Boyle opened the scoring with a spectacular long range point, the Shamrocks equaliser was a much simpler effort as Dean Moore tapped over a free to level matters in the third minute.  Tom Molloy and Killian Butler exchanged points before a spectacular outside of the boot effort from Cormack Gordon sent Shandonagh ahead. A minute later Shamrocks hopes took a serious hit when Philly Shaw saved brilliantly but Cormac Coyne was on hand to smash the rebound to the net and suddenly Shandonagh were four points to the good and the Shamrocks defence was being exposed.

Remedial action was taken and David Gavin was introduced and in the positional switch that accompanied the change in personnel, Kieran Gavin moved from wing-forward to fullback and the long serving player went on to have one of his finest games in the Shamrocks jersey.  Dónal O'Donoghue, Micheál Curley and Killian Butler combined to set Paddy Fagan free and  the resultant foul gave Dean Moore another simple tap over free before another star on the night Efe  Siode cast aside his defensive duties to land another fine point before the water break (1-3 to 0-4).  Killian Butler and Tom Molloy (with a good free from out on the wing) again swapped points before Shamrocks had a great escape when Cormac Coyne's shot rocketed off the post to safety. Philly Shaw again saved well. Tom Molloy pointed twice from free kicks before  Killian Butler scored his third point of the evening to reduce the margin to a single score (1-6 to 0-6) before the half-time whistle. 

Shamrocks scored two early points after the break, the first by Killian Daly (who did a good man marking job on Shandonagh's danger man Tom Molloy) and the second by Dónal O'Donoghue after he was set up by a good Paddy Fagan pass. A Tom Molloy free added to Shandonagh's advantage before Michael Curley surged forward, Efe continued the forward momentum before passing to  Daragh Daly who  set up Dean Moore for Shamrock's goal and for the first time Mullingar Shamrocks were ahead  1-8 to 1-7 at the second water break. (And in this match the one minute of time was strictly implemented by referee Niall Ward --- the example from Belfast has focussed minds). Shamrocks were now pressing forward on the Shandonagh restarts and Conor Craig was forced to kick long on several occasions and the Micheál Curley, Denis Corroon, Patrick Fagan, Dónal O'Donoghue diamond controlled the crucial middle third of the pitch. 

Alan Hickey levelled matters on resumption and after Killian Butler was wide from two frees a great piece of game reading by Kieran Gavin began a move that involved another Micheál Curley drive forward followed by a powerful run by Killian Butler who was dragged to the ground by several men; Dean Moore pointed the resultant free. Ben Treanor entered the black card lockdown zone after this infraction. Dean Moore pointed another free before one of Shamrock's greatest warriors Micheál Curley finished a move of many passes with a point.  Brian Kavanagh pointed a difficult free and with just three points separating the sides Philly Shaw saved well and began a move that ended with Dean Moore kicking a great point from play followed by another from a free to send Shamrocks into a five point lead.  Alan  Cashman replaced Patrick Fagan and Niall Ward had just noted the change in his notebook before he reached in again for a black card for Alan. Kevin Boyle also saw black around this time. There was time for one more attack and Davy Gavin's shot was turned over the crossbar by Conor Craig in the Shandonagh goal.  

At the final whistle Mullingar Shamrocks had 0-6 to spare and senior status was secured for the 2021 season whatever form that takes in these uncertain times. For now the book is closed and the final chapter of the 2020 senior season has been written. 

This is not the time for football obituaries but this might have been the last occasion that  Philly Shaw, Eddie Moore, Micheál Curley, Kieran Gavin, Daragh Daly, Denis Corroon, Alan Cashman, Dónal O'Donoghue, Lorcan Smyth, Aaron Purcell and David Gavin played together on a senior championship side.  These eleven senior citizens of the team have given extraordinary service to the club and no doubt many will be back refreshed and ready to contribute next season. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Eddie Moore, Pádraic McKenna (David Gavin, 0-1), Killian Daly (0-1); Brendan O’Reilly, Micheál Curley (0-1), Efe Siode (0-1) (Aaron Purcell); Denis Corroon, Paddy Fagan (0-1) [Alan Cashman]; Kieran Gavin, Killian Butler (0-3),  Dónal O’Donoghue (0-1); Lorcan Smyth (Jordan Warde) , Dean Moore (1-6), Daragh Daly.

THANKS NED ... 

After the final whistle Ned gathered the troops in a circle and thanked all the players and his management team and in particular Laz Molloy and Barry Maguire as well as the club executive for their contribution and support over the past three years. 

And then he announced that he was stepping down from his role as team manager. The Covid 19 year of 2020 marked Ned's 50 years of involvement with the club. There is no question that this will be his last year but for the moment Ned is a Minister without Portfolio and will contribute all that knowledge, experience and passion to the club in many ways. Have no doubt about that. 

We'll return to Ned's extraordinary contribution to the club later, for now it's a simple THANKS to Ned for all the efforts and all the memories and entertainment.

Junior Football Championship: Relegation Semi-final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-19 Delvin 2-7

Mullingar Shamrocks secured their place in the Junior 1 championship for 2021 with this impressive victory over Delvin in Killucan on Sunday evening in what transpired to be the Ross Corroon show as Ross lining out at corner forward contributed 1- 10 to the Shamrocks total. Ross scored freely from frees and play and scored a spectacular second-half  goal when he spotted the Delvin keeper of his line and launched a long range deliver to the net. 

Shamrocks settled early and Andrew Shaw and Ross had points before Daragh Clinton replied with a single point for Delvin. Zach Aherne pointed and this was followed by a great Dillon Matthews goal. Clinton had another point for Delvin before Kenneth O'Reilly (0-1) and Ross Corroon (0-2) extended the Shamrocks lead to 1-6 to 0-2 at the first water break. Over the next low scoring  fifteen minutes Delvin outscored Shamrocks 0-3 to 0-1 (Nathan Smith) to bring the interval score to 1-7 to 0-5. 

Shamrocks were first out of the traps in the second half and Ross, Ryan Blundell, Andrew Shaw and Zach added four points to the lead (1-11 to 0-5). Delvin staged a recovery and Alan Cox scored a superb goal; Jamie Walsh and Zach Aherne exchanged points, Walsh banged home Delvin's second goal. Davy Coyne departed the scene with a knee injury (hopefully not a recurrence of the cruciate injury) with the scoreboard reading 1-12 to 2-5. Ross Corroon then stepped out of the pack and in the final quarter added 1-6 to the Shamrocks total of 1-7 scored in the final quarter,  Shane Colleary also  registered a point. Daragh Clinton added two to the Delvin total to leave Shamrocks safe from relegation with a 2-19 to 2-7 victory.   

Mullingar Shamrocks: Seán Óg Hynes; Davy Coyne, (Daniel  Chukwuemeka), Matthew Siode, Emmet Walsh; Pearse Corroon (Ronan McHugh), Aaron Purcell, Ryan Blundell (0-1);  Dillon Matthews (1-0) Nathan Smith (0-1); Zach Aherne (0-3), Kenneth O'Reilly (0-1),  Trevor Keena, Andrew Shaw (0-2) (Cormac Hynes), Gary Corroon (Shane Colleary, 0-1), Ross Corroon (1-10).

Senior B LGF Championship: Mullingar Shamrocks continue winning ways ...

Mercifully the rain disappeared in time for this local derby game in the Westmeath LGF Senior B championship played in Springfield. Two goals in the opening minutes by Carole Finch laid the victory foundation and established a lead that Shamrocks were never to surrender against a very young St Loman's team. Chloe Smullen added two more goals before the break.Taking full advantage of the wind Shamrocks led by 4-11 to 1-0 at the interval and added another 3-3 after the restart with leading scorer, Laura Culkin netting twice in what was a great team performance starting with Lisa Burke in her new position guarding the net. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Lisa Burke; Sophie Hegarty, Liveta Lazauskaite, Lorna Morris; Orianna Quinn, Cliodhna Spellman, Eve Hynes; Máiread Newman (0-1), Shona McNicholas (1-1); Molly McCormack, Micaela O'Connor (0-3), Laura Culkin (2-3); Chloe Smullen (2-2), Carole Finch (2-2), Sarah Geoghegan (0-2); Replacements: Kirsty Dunne, Jenna Kelly, Annemarie O'Reilly, Jasmine Haugh, Julie Gannon, Teresa O'Connell. 

Under-Age Fixtures and Regulations for Parent/Guardian attendance ... 

Under 15 Championship quarter-final at home to Shandonagh, Monday, 31 August at 6.30 pm.

Under 17 Championship quarter-final away to Tubberclair, Wednesday, 2 September at 6.30 pm.

Under 13 Championship quarter-final at home to Maryland/Tang, Thursday, 3 September at 6. 30 pm.

 

Covid Advisory Group – Updated advice on attendance at underage games 

 

The GAA’s Covid Advisory committee have issued updated guidance to all clubs in relation to attendance at underage games. This advice is based on updated guidelines issued on behalf of the Government by Sport Ireland: 

 

Clubs should note that: 

 

• No more than 1 designated individual should attend a training session or game per child/family/group of children. 

• The GAA Health Questionnaires MUST be completed by parents/guardians in advance of attendance. 

• Overall numbers should be kept to a minimum and in line with the space available in the venue/facility. 

Parents are NOT permitted to be in attendance at adult games where their child (U18) is participating. However, provision can be made to allow an adult to be in close proximity (e.g. in the car park etc) in case medical or other emergency needs require their presence. 

It has also been clarified that a parent/guardian attending an underage game in these circumstances shall not be subject to vetting as they are only the supervisor in a guardianship role for their own child and not any other child on the team. 

The late David O'Dowd

Mullingar Shamrocks extends its deepest sympathy to the family of the late David O'Dowd who died in Queensland Australia following an accident. In particular sympathy is extended to David's parents James and Noreen O'Dowd, to his sisters Karen and Niamh and to his brothers Gareth and Daniel. David will be very sadly missed by his adored children Eden and Evey,  their mother Lorraine, his partner Kerrie, his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. 

The O'Dowd name is synonymous with Mullingar Shamrocks  and David's father James captained Mullingar Shamrocks to victory when the club won its first senior title in 1964.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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