The scoreline suggests a comfortable victory for Mullingar Shamrocks and this is what transpired as Shamrocks dominated from start to finish. The opening two minutes featured three scores as Athlone with a vicious in-swinging Donagh Prendergast shot from near the sideline was deflected over the bar for the opening score; from Philly Shaw’s restart Emmet Walsh gained possession, passed to Niall Hannigan who in turn set up Trevor Keena for the equalizing point. From the Athlone restart Dónal O’Donoghue gained possession and delivered the perfect pass to Conor Fagan who travelled along the end line and flicked the ball over for Shamrocks second point. Shamrocks added six more points before Athlone registered a second score. Trevor Keena pointed; Conor Fagan pointed to finish a move that began with a great Eddie Moore turnover that dispossessed Darren Magee.  Ross Corroon pointed (“it’s not on, Ross” someone said as the ball floated over) Trevor Keena using his soccer skills forced a good save from Rytis Liaukevicius and Ross chipped the resulting 45 over the bar. Alan Cashman scored point number 6 and completed a move that began with Philly Shaw back in the goalmouth; Dónal O’Donoghue  pointed to complete a move that he started himself to extend the lead to 7 points. Josh Beaumont pointed for Athlone but Dónal Lane replied with a point for Shamrocks from the restart. Niall Hannigan added Shamrocks tenth point followed by two pointed frees for Athlone to complete the first half scoring with Shamrocks leading by 0-10 to 0-4. 

The trend continued into the second half that began with a pair of points from the Corroon brothers. Trevor, Hanno and Ross added to the points total before Philly Shaw brilliantly saved what was Athlone’s best goal scoring effort which he turned around the post for a 45. ‘Philly’s on fire’ the lady in red on the sideline announced as the resultant 45 floated wide. From the restart, Alan Cashman fielded and turned his marker and delivered the ball to Nathan Smyth who in turn dispatched the ball to the back of the net to extend the lead to 1-15 to 0-4. A six point swing in the space of 90 seconds. 

There was time for one more Shamrocks score and this last point was a historic one scored by Eamonn Breslin, his first point for Mullingar Shamrocks in championship football.  Since landing in Mullingar from Ardara in Donegal, Bressie has been a wonderful servant of the club and rarely if ever misses a match. On Friday night, he thundered up-field from his favourite corner back position to land his first championship score and join the ranks of the modern scoring corner backs. In the last attack of the evening, Athlone recorded their only point of the half, a score that concluded what was a very satisfactory trip to Athlone for Mullingar Shamrocks. 1- 15 of the total was scored from play with 10 players getting their names on the scoresheet. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Eamonn Breslin (0-1), Aaron Purcell (Conor Fitzpatrick), Emmet Walsh; Dónal Lane (0-1), Eddie Moore, Ciaran Kiernan (Matthew Siode); Pearse Corroon (0-1), Ryan Blundell (Gary Corroon); Alan Cashman (0-1), Trevor Keena (0-3), Niall Hannigan (0-2) {Andrew Shaw]; Dónal O’Donoghue (0-1),  Ross Corroon (0-4),  Conor Fagan (0-2) [Nathan Smyth, 1-0].