Minor Football League: Mullingar Shamrocks 4-4 Lilliput Gaels 3-8

Mullingar Shamrocks came close to salvaging a draw in this encounter played in Springfield on Wednesday evening in what was a very spirted performance by the team. Lilliput Gaels attacked incessantly in the opening twenty minutes but dreadful finishing and some superb defending (especially by ** Bane) prevented what could have been a scoring avalanche. However, after ten minutes both sides had registered a point each before the Lilliput combination added three unanswered points; Matthew Maslin reduced the deficit with his second point bur a soft goal increased the Lilliput lead (1-4 to 0-2) in the twentieth minute. However, two goals from Seán Wylie (having his best game in a Shamrocks jersey) and Jack Gillen but Shamrocks into the lead and a great long range point from Cormac Darby added to the interval lead (2-3 to 1-4). The Lilliput Gaels doubled their first half tally before Shamrocks registered their first post-interval score, a Matthew Maslin free following a brilliant run by Dylan Matthews. Lilliput Gaels responded with a similar major. Shamrocks again goaled from a Matthew Maslin penalty (2-8 to 3-5). A great save from a Dylan Matthews shot was crucial at this stage before Lilliput Gaels added 1-1 to their total. Jack Gillen netted for Shamrocks final score; two missed frees before the final whistle ended Shamrocks hopes on the night.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Killian White; Darragh White, Brian Reidy, Peter Bane; Jack Kelly (Cian Fox), Conor Fitzpatrick, Marc Eivers; Cormac Darby (0-1) and Dylan Matthews (- black card, Owen Kilduff); Cormac Hynes, Seán Wylie (1-0), Brandon Heffernan (John O’Reilly); Matthew Maslin (1-3), Jack Gillen (2-0), Cian Roe (Ronan McHugh).