Minor Football Championship: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-17 Lilliput Gaels 4-11.

We don't have too many games like this one in Springfield which is just as well for those Shamrocks supporters of a nervous disposition. The game of two halves is well known animal in the GAA world but this was the game of four quarters. The first was relatively even with Lilliput establishing an early lead before Shamrocks drew level; the second was somewhat similar but e with fortunes reversed as Shamrocks dominated and the early three point deficit was transformed into a four point interval lead (0-9 to 0-5). The third quarter was totally dominated by Mullingar Shamrocks and featured some great episodes of football and superbly created scores. At the end of this quarter Shamrocks were fifteen points ahead and the game was effectively over. Or so we thought as substitutes were warmed up to give them a run-out in the final stages. But the Dysart-Ballinagore boys had other ideas and as Shamrocks began to play freestyle football, without any regard to the basics of defending, which quickly turned to freefall football and Lilliput Gaels shredded the Shamrocks defence and scored not one, not two, not three but four goals and four points as well and the fifteen point deficit was transformed into a single point lead as Jack Gallagher levelled matters and Daragh Seery with a great long range point kicked Lilliput Gaels into the lead. Despite the near-meltdown, Shamrocks regained their composure and worked the ball up-field, a foul was committed that was suspiciously close to the penalty zone and Jack Gillen, a superb place kicker, kicked the equalising point from the routine free. It was the last play of the day as referee Ken Gunning blew the final whistle on the restart. The initial Lilliput Gaels lead of 0-3 to 0-0 was slowly whittled away and points by Jack Gillen (0-2) and John O'Reilly levelled matters before another Lilliput point restored their lead. Zach Aherne equalised and Jack Gillen and Peter Reynolds exchanged points. A Trevor Keena point edged Shamrocks ahead for the first time and this was followed by points from Jack Gillen, and two more from Keena to establish a half-time lead of 0-9 to 0-5. Shamrocks resumed with points from Jack Gillen and Oliver McNamara and a great save by Sean Hynes at the expense of a point prevented a Lilliput goal. For the next ten minutes or so the Shamrocks lads played some excellent football. Jack Gillen pointed a free and then Trevor Keena goaled after John O'Reilly unselfishly created the opening with a pass across the goalmouth. Jack Gillen added a second goal after a superb turnover and defence splitting pass from Zach Aherne (2-12 to 0-6). Trevor Keena, Mark Flynn, Jack Gillen and Andrew Shaw added points to establish a 2-16 to 0-7 lead. Almost immediately Lilliput Gaels began dancing to a different tune and began their spectacular revival inspired by Jack Gallagher with a point. Conor Murphy, Daragh Seery, Eoin Glennon and Jack Gallagher scored goals, a couple of points were thrown in for good measure, before Jack Gallagher kicked the levelling point and Daragh Seery with a great long range effort kicked Lilliput Gaels into the most improbable lead seen in Springfield for many a year. Shamrocks deep in lost time recovered from the shock and as stated earlier equalised from a Jack Gillen free. A great game of football, great fun and a great 2-17 total by Mullingar Shamrocks, the most improved set of players in the club over the past eighteen months. And lessons learned by all involved.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Sean Hynes; Ciarán Looby, Emmet Walsh, Daniel Chukwuemeka; Cian Fox, Matthew Siode, Tomass Turks; Mark Flynn (0-1), Jack Gillen (1-8); John O'Reilly (0-1), Zach Aherne (0-1), Oliver McNamara (0-1); William Adzonga, Trevor Keena (1-4), Barry Nwokeiwu. Substitutes: Andrew Shaw (0-1), Niall Ouchbakou.