There was no joy for the Mullingar Shamrocks LGF senior team in Fr Eamonn O’Brien Park, Rochfortbridge on Thursday night. Played in miserable conditions, Shamrocks contended for the duration but in the end had to concede defeat.  Rochfortbridge began with two quick points from A. Roche and Emma Collins. Anna Jones replied with a point from a fine long range free and Katie Kelly made the first of a number of fine saves on a difficult evening for a goalkeeper. Katie’s handling was excellent and it is great to have a player so comfortable between the posts to replace Lauren. Megan Brick and Ava Balfe pointed to extend the Bridge lead before Shamrocks cut loose. Anna Jones pointed from play, Karen Hegarty from a free and Chloe Smullen blasted to the net to send Shamrocks into a two-point lead. Only a fine save by Dawn Wallace deprived Chloe Swarbrigg of a second Shamrocks goal.  It proved to be just a temporary setback and the Rochfortbridge women responded by scoring 1-3 without reply to establish a 1-7 to 1-3 lead. A Chloe Smullen point and a great individual effort from play by Anna Jones brought the interval score to 1-7 to 1-5 in favour of the home side. 

Anna Jones and Niamh McDermott swopped points after the interval break (1-8 to 1-6) before Karen Hegarty chipped the goalkeeper to score a beauty of a goal. From the minute, the ball left Karen’s boot it was destined for the top corner.  Unfortunately, the goal was followed by 15 minutes of Rochfortbridge dominance that secured the championship victory. An inability to retain possession from the restarts was crucial along with a series of fouls that were punished made the difference as Rochfortbridge added 1-4 to their tally without a Shamrocks score.  Aoife Brady scored the crucial second goal (2-12 to 2-6). Anna Jones pointed twice from frees to reduce the deficit to 0-4 but Rochfortbridge added 0-3 before the final whistle to secure the victory on a 2-13 to 2-8 scoreline with Megan Brick’s accurate pointed frees responsible for 0-4 of the victors last five points. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Katie Kelly; Melek Fagan, Siobhan O’Donnell, Sophie Hegarty (Jasmin Haugh); Sinead Sweeney (Jenna Kelly), Mairéad Newman (Eve Hynes), Susanna Buckley (Niamh Raeside); Rachel Cheevers, Anna Jones (0-6); Zara Corroon {Karen Hegarty), Chloe Smullen (1-1), Emma Morris; Grace Daly (Aideen Hegarty), Karen Hegarty (1-1) [Holly McCormack], Chloe Swarbrigg. 

Fógra: Well done to our minors footballers who had a clear-cut win over Shandonagh on a 3-15 to 2-2 scoreline. 

Fógra Eile: Anyone watching Reeling in the Years this evening before travelling to Rochfortbridge would have seen the Jimmy and Tommy Swarbrigg representing Ireland with distinction in the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest. There is no need to point out the family connection with the match in Rochfortbridge.