Under-16 Football League: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-11 Killucan 2-5

Mullingar Shamrocks opening match of the season in Under-16 started almost 40 minutes behind schedule due to the absence of a referee; Robbie Boyle managed the whistle for the opening 10 minutes or so until a substitute referee arrived in Springfield from Shandonagh and took charge for the remainder. Well done to Damien Maher for sourcing a referee at such short notice and ensuring the match went ahead. Despite the late start, it was great to get the match played as both Shamrocks and Killucan had plenty players mad for a bit of football action and nobody went home disappointed. Shamrocks shaded the first-half in general play but gathered for the half-time refreshments trailing by 2-4 to 0-4. The points came from the boot of Peter Hynes, Niall Ouchbakou, Zach Aherne and mid-fielder Eoin Kilduff.

The half-time advice and substitutions had immediate impact and Jack Gillen and Trevor Keena (0-2) had the first three points before Killucan responded with their only post-interval score (0-1) to restore their advantage to 0-4. A goal by half-time substitute Brian Farrell was critical and a point by the excellent Ronan McHugh levelled matters. Shamrocks pushed on but were deprived of victory securing goals by three excellent saves by Killucan goalkeeper Lee Cordian. Trevor Keena and two great points by Peter Hynes sealed a three-point victory for Shamrocks as light spilled on to the pitch from the nearby houses, walking track and Astro-Turf floodlights and created enough brightness to finish a match that was played in a spirit of exemplary sportsmanship throughout. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Keith Whaley; Joshua Haugh, Emmet Walshe, Daniel Chukwuemekg (Rory O’Sullivan-Sexton); William Adzangoa (Reece Bardon), Cian Fox, Ciaran Luby (Trevor Keena 0-3 ); Jack Gillen (0-1) and Eoin Kilduff (0-1); Peter Hynes (0-3), John O’Reilly, Andrew Shaw; Niall Ouchbakou (0-1) [Brian Farrell 1-0], Ronan McHugh (0-1), Zach Aherne (0-1) [Mark Flynn].