‘Jesus Christ Almighty Paddy, What Are You At?’ was the  initial thought as Paddy Fagan’s delivery fell well short and in to the welcoming arms of Shandonagh’s goalkeeper Conor Craig. However, on an evening where the wet ball made handling difficult the O’Neill’s sphere squirmed free of the goalkeeper’s grasp. Jordan Warde was alert and with some neat footwork collected the rebound and slotted the ball to the net for Shamrock’s only goal of the match in the third minute. Worryingly, it was the only goal  chance ‘created’ during the game. Brian Kavanagh responded with a pointed free two minutes later with what was Shandonagh’s only score of the half. John O’Reilly’s point finished what began with an Eoin Doran restart and a high fielding mark by Denis Corroon. Shamrocks went on to dominate the half, winning good possession from a succession of Shandonagh restarts. Denis Corroon (0-2), Dean Moore (0-3), Jordan Warde (0-1) and Paddy Fagan (0-2). The unfortunate Conn O’Hanlon suffered a nasty injury prior to the interval and we wish Conn a speedy recovery.  Shamrocks were comfortably ahead with the scoreboard reading 1-9 to 0-1. 

Denis Corroon pointed on the restart; 22 minutes later Dean Moore with a great effort from the right wing added Shamrocks second score of the half. In between Shandonagh added 1-3 to their total. Simon Carr’s neat lob from the wing found the Shamrock’s net, Brian Kavanagh  pointed twice  and  Gareth Carr added one more before Deano’s effort stopped the comeback. (1-10 to 1-4). John O’Reilly and Deano again added points before three points in succession from Brian Kavanagh brought to conclusion what must have been a hard watch for the spectators on a night where the slippery conditions made football a challenge, it was also  a night when Shamrocks got all their scores from play.   

Sufficient on the night for Shamrocks as two valuable points were banked; Moate All-Whites next Saturday evening in Rochfortbridge will provide a much more difficult challenge. Be aware. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Marc Eivers, David Gavin, Dillon Matthews; Conn O’Hanlon (Efe Siode – blood sub), Matt O’Shea, Brendan O’Reilly; Conor O’Brien and Shane Ormsby; Brian Guerin, Patrick Fagan (0-2), John O’Reilly (0-2); Dean Moore (0-5), Denis Corroon (0-3), Jordan Warde (1-1) {Davy Coyne].