ACL Div. 1 Mullingar Shamrocks0-14 Athlone 0-12

 

A lively encounter in Athlone as the ACL completions wind to a close. We still have to play Coralstown-Kinnegad in the ACL Div. 1, Castledaly in Div. 2 where we are now safe from relegation which is a superb achievement and The Downs in Div. 5. 

 

A John O’Reilly turnover after an opening phase of Athlone possession and from the fast-counter attack Paddy Fagan raced through but his shot was brilliantly saved by Rytis Liaukevicicus in the Athlone goal. Athlone cashed in on the let off and kicked two points in succession – Stephen Flaherty from a mark and Eamon Martin from the resultant restart. A Denis Corroon free reduced the deficit but Kieran Colclough form long range and Eamon Martin from a turnover extended the Athlone lead. At this stage, the Athlone swarm tackling and long wind-assisted deliveries were effective. However, Dean Moore and Lorcan Smith kicked points within a minute before Kieran Colclough from a 45 and long range added two Athlone points (0-6 to 0-3). Lorcan kicked a fine point from a distant free into the wind but from the restart Athlone’s corner forward Conor Rushe restored the 0-3 advantage. Brendan O’Reilly and Brian Guerin contributed points before Johnny Martin marked and pointed as Pat Fox called for an interval break with Athlone leading 0-8 to 0-6.

 

The second half began with three points in succession from marks, each one the subject of some debate and dispute: Denis Corroon and Jordan Warde called the first two and pointed Shamrocks level; John Stapleton pointed the third for Athlone (0-9 to 0-8). Two Dean Moore points sent Shamrocks into the lead for the first time (the second was also form a mark!) before Kieran Colclough pointed a 45 to equalize. Denis Corroon and Stephen O’Connor exchanged points (both frees) as did Brain Guerin and Eamon Martin as the game entered the final 10 minutes. A good passing movement ended with a Jordan Warde point to secure the crucial lead. In the last minute a turnover set Paddy Fagan free and Paddy rejected all the advice to hold on to the ball and kicked a fine long range point to secure the 0-14 to 0-12 victory in the game of 6 pointed marks. 

Well above the national average. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Marc Eivers, David Gavin, Dillon Matthews; Conn O’ Hanlon (Conor O’Brien), Matt O’Shea, Brendan O’Reilly (0-1); Paddy Fagan (0-1), Brian Guerin (0-2); John O'Reilly (Ryan Blundell), Lorcan Smyth (0-2), Davy Coyne; Dean Moore (0-3), Denis Corroon (0-3), Jordan Warde (0-2).