MJS Building and Development Minor Football Final Replay: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-10 Tubberclair 1-3.
Our Minor footballers extracted the maximum value form their sensational comeback in the drawn final and completed the job on Saturday, with a superb 1-10 to 1-3 victory against our great rivals in this grade, Tubberclair. Two years ago in Ballynacarrigy, Daire O’Connor’s last minute goal won the Under-15 county, last year Tubberclair finished a point ahead in the classic Minor semi-final superbly refereed by Pat Fox (we pulled back a six point lead on that occasion) and then we defeated Tubberclare in this year’s League final but as they say its only the League. Tubberclare will probably remind us that they were convincing winners in the League stage of this year’s championship. It’s a great rivalry the product of a huge investment of time and energy in coaching two panels of dedicated players. And with Westmeath opting for Under-18 as the Minor grade next season, the rivalry continues with all 30 players underage, and of course several more clubs hiding in the long grass for an opportunity to bring down the 2023 finalists.
After a cautious first half Shamrocks held the minimum lead (0-5 to 1-1) at the interval. Ryan Kelly kicked Shamrocks into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes. The first point was created by a superb interception and run by Ben Sheerin, one of the stars of the day. Ben carried downfield, parted to Ryan who kicked the opening point. Ryan added two more points from frees before Ben McNamee added his usual long-range classic point-per-game from his wing back position in the twentieth minute. Tubberclair finally unlocked the Shamrocks defence in the twenty-seventh minute with a move that began deep in their own defence following a turnover. Daire O’Connor supported by Paul Keegan moved the ball forward and a little shimmy from Sean Whittaker split the defence and created the space for Taylor Slevin to blast the ball past Adam Buckley. The Shamrocks response was immediate and a move that saw Callum Rigney Clyne and Ryan Kelly combine ended with a Gavin Pierce point. This was neutralized by a Daire O’ Connor pointed free that cut the deficit to the minimum. It looked a precarious lead as Shamrocks played with the benefit of a strong breeze blowing into the apartment end.
Tubberclair threatened from the throw-in when Kealen Connell won possession but his inspiring run ended scoreless. The next five minutes proved crucial as Shamrocks added three points to extend the lead to a more secure four points. Ryan Kelly fielded a Gavin Pierce delivery and pointed in the second minute; a minute later Conor Heffernan pointed a free and this was followed by a point from joint captain, Callum Rigney Clyne. The half-time lead was no longer precarious. Daire O’Connor pointed a free and mid-way through the half Seán Whittaker registered Tubberclair’s first point from play (0-8 to 1-3). Tubberclair looked to be back in the game but this proved to be their final score of the day as their forwards were unable to escape the clutches of a resolute Shamrocks defence. Midway through the half, Ryan Kelly scored the crucial goal. Ryan opted to take a free in the old style and kicked from the ground. It wasn’t Ryan’s best strike but on this occasion the ball eluded the Tubberclare defenders and ended in the net for the crucial goal. Donnacha Maguire followed up and put the ball in the net for the second time in case there were any doubts (1-8 to 1-3).
Adam Buckley was seen to good effect between the posts especially when he confidently fielded a skyscraper of a shot that dropped under the crossbar, the kind of missile that no goalkeeper likes to see approaching. The catch was Neil Morgan-like in its execution (Cluxton would probably have punched the ball clear). The mistakes goalkeepers make are never forgotten but the great saves sometimes get lost in the mists of time. Adam Buckley’s contribution to bringing this minor title to Springfield was substantial. The focus on the drawn game was on the never-say-die comeback but without Adam’s sensational save in the first minute, there would have been no resurrection. A timely advance by Buckley foiled Seán Whittaker that was accompanied by penalty claims that were ignored by referee, Shane Maher who confirmed the validity of his decision after consulting with his umpires. The referee also ignored a second penalty claim.
Ryan Kelly added another pointed free to the Shamrocks total and in the 34th minute Conor Heffernan also pointed a free. It was the final score of 130 extraordinary minutes of football. Our Under-age Committee Chairman and Chairman of the County Under-age Committee, Barry Kelly had the satisfaction of presenting the trophy to our joint, and giant in the football sense captains, Callum Rigney Clyne and Ryan Kelly.
This was a superb team victory. Adam Buckley’s contribution has already been mentioned. The fullback line was superb. Ben Sheerin with his numerous interceptions and winning tackles was a strong contender for man of the match as was Adam Glynn in the other corner. Adam continued his duels with Daire O’Connor and was not found wanting at any stage. Between the corner backs, Ty Masterson was in total control and his reading of the game was of the highest order. The halfback line was equally impressive with Peter Finch having one of his finest games in the Shamrocks jersey. James Flynn and Ben McNamee were in total control with Ben another man of the match candidate. At midfield, Ameen Hacini covered acres of ground to great effect in his role; the return of Criostóir Ormsby from a near season long injury was timely and important. Donnacha Maguire’s work rate and general play all season made Donnacha a candidate for the most improved player on the team.
Up front, all seven forwards played their part and this included tackling and tracking back which are essential parts of the skill set of a forward in the modern game. Conor Heffernan, Callum Rigney Clyne, Gavin Pierce kicked vital scores over the course of the two games, the work rate of Alex Sheerin and Paul Keating was an essential part of the mix. However, it was the excellence of Ryan Kelly that made it all possible. Apart from scoring 2-11 of the 2-19 scored over the two games, Ryan was the playmaker in chief in the attack (take a look at the video of Ryan’s contribution to Conor Heffernan’s brilliant strike for the crucial first goal in the drawn game). Ryan was simply the best.
It must be remembered that the final replay ended a long season’s campaign and all the panelists contributed in many ways to this victory. And, after all the positive praise of this report (and after 15 years we are entitled to a bit of extravagance), we will sign off with Ned’s wise words in the post-match dressing room. This win will be devalued considerably if several of the winning players do nnot go on to wear the Mullingar Shamrocks jersey with distinction in adult football. This victory, hopefully, was one small step for Mullingar Shamrocks on a journey to a senior title sometime in the future.
Finally, our team management of Tom Ormsby (Lead Mentor), Derek Sheridan, Paul Christie and consultant Ned Moore worked from early in the year with this dedicated panel of players. Their commitment to the group was simply outstanding and must never be forgotten.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; Adam Glynn, Ty Masterson Ben Sheerin; James Flynn (Luke Raeside), Peter Finch (Ronan Byrne), Ben McNamee (0-1); Ameen Hacini, Criostóir Ormsby; Paul Keating (Alex Sheerin), Ryan Kelly (1-5) Conor Heffernan (0-2) [Padraig Casey] Callum Rigney Clyne (0-1); Donnacha Maguire, Gavin Pierce (0-1) [Elmugtaba Mohammed].
Other Panelists: Matas Puida, Tom Daly, Charlie Foy, Andrew Gavigan, Hugh O’Sullivan Sexton, John Shaw, Matthew Shaw, Jack Toal.
