Under 12 Garrycastle Tournament: Mullingar Shamrocks qualify for final stages

‘Them’s the breaks’ is a phrase often heard on the side of a pitch, but seldom does it reflect the actual break that leaves heartbreak in a dressing room. Last night in Tubber, Co Offaly, a free decision resulted in a brave Mullingar Shamrocks u-12 side concede 3 quick goals in succession against an older, tougher St Manchan's (amalgamation from Offaly) side which ultimately broke a great fight back that Shamrocks had underwent in the second half. The 3 goals pinged in one after the other, just as shamrocks had pulled the game by the scruff of the neck and had got within a point of this tough combination side featuring the cream of the crop of 4 clubs. Shamrocks had displayed great character and the lads heads can be held high, even after going down in Tubber 3.10 - 1.08.

The opening stages were tough as Shamrocks pitched skill against the physical strength of Malachy’s. Karl Keane, Conor Peyton, Eddie Leavy, Pau Dooley and Eoin Reddin all had chances but Malachy’s pulled 5 points clear. A few substitutions made the difference and Caolan Murphy and Eddie Leavy helped Karl Keane score Shamrocks first after 22minutes. Shamrocks were well on top at this stage and Caolan and Pau had great goal chances. Despite being overran in the first 10 mins no one dropped the head and Shamrocks deserved more from the final 10 minutes.

In the 2nd half. Eoin Reddin made up for an unlucky wide with a great free kick over the bar before Keane struck with a super goal from another free which was mid-defended into the net. There was a point in it, and Shamrocks were going great guns against far bigger lads and then came the ‘breaks’. A foot block decision saw Malachy’s get back into it before a bad free in the centre saw them score an unlucky goal. Unluckily for Shamrocks, within a minute they scored another 2 goals one after another.

Heads did not drop though, and Eddie had a well worked score from some top notch Aaron Smyth play. Eoin then Eddie scored points, the later after good Josh Burke and James Casey play on the left wing. Liam Reddin, marked by a man twice his height, was super and set Eddie up for a lovely point at the death.

But the 3 goals against the run of play had killed our lads. But there was no need for heartbreak as this was a strong Offaly team who won all 3 games in the tournament by big margins. Great defending by Sean Dooley, Cian McNamee, Dylan Conlon, Conor Glynn & Evan Palmer ensured a smaller score line in this game. Shamrocks have the consolation of qualifying for the next round after their exploits in their other games in the group.

Panel: John Cleary, Cian McNammee, Sean Dooley, Pau Dooley, Jamie Byrne, Dylan Conlon, Conor Glynn, Carl Keane, Eoin Reddin, Liam Reddin, Aaron Smyth, Eddie Leavy, Matthew Leavy, James Casey, Evan Palmer, Josh Burke, Conor Peyton, Harry Doyle, Donnacha Doyle, Dylan Cooney, Conor Peyton, Caolan Murphy.