Minor Football Championship Div.2 Semi-final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-8 Tubberclair 4-9.

Our interest in the 2017 championships ended in Moate on Sunday morning with this seven point loss to Tubberclair who were deserving winners on this occasion. Tubberclair goaled immediately from the off when James Sheerin raced through the Shamrocks defence and crashed the ball to the net for the first of what were three great goals scored by the outstanding footballer on the field. Tubberclair added a point from a free but Shamrocks responded in style. A powerful run by Pádraic McKenna provided an opportunity for Adam McCormack who finished the ball to the net and a neat point from Trevor Keena levelled matters after six minutes. Tubberclair edged ahead with their second point but two fine points in succession from Adam McCormack and a third long range effort from Cormac Hynes (began with a great interception by Kenneth O’Reilly) established a two-point lead for Shamrocks after 25 minutes (1-4 to 1-2). This was as good as it got for Shamrocks. James Sheerin struck for his second goal and a pick-off the ground gifted Tubberclair another point before the interval (2-3 to 1-4). Thar Shamrocks were in this relatively health position was largely due some superb defending by Marc Eivers and to a lesser extent by Kenneth O’Reilly and the scoring prowess of Adam McCormack.

The minutes immediately after half-time were crucial. Fred Kelleher and Matthew Maslin exchanged points from frees, Kelleher added another point and this was followed by Tubberclair’s second goal.  Oisín O’Riordan (a nephew of former Westmeath great Fergal Wilson) pointed as Tubberclair established a 3-7 to 1-5 lead. Matthew Maslin pointed another free and Dylan Murphy scored a superb goal for Shamrocks but James Sheerin responded with a similar effort; gaining possession in mid-field he raced through the Mullingar Shamrocks defence and the way he dropped the ball to his right-foot and blasted to the net at full pace epitomised class. In the remaining minutes, O’ Riordan and Kelleher had points for Tubberclare as Trevor Keena and Jack Gillen landed points for Mullingar Shamrocks.

We look forward to the 2018 championship as the player that lined out are all eligible for this grade next year and the work and commitment of the team management of Aidan O’Donoghue, Ritchie McKenna, Paul Christie, Brian Melody  and Michael O’Reilly will pay dividends.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Killian White; Brian Reidy (Cian Fox), Marc Eivers, Peter Bane (Eóin Kilduff); Cormac Darby, Kenneth O’Reilly, Dylan Matthews; Pádraic McKenna, Jack Gillen (0-1); Dylan Murphy (1-0), Cormac Hynes (0-1), John O’Reilly (Cian Roe); Trevor Keena (0-2), Adam McCormack (1-2) [Sean Wylie], Matthew Maslin (0-2) 

The Late Kathleen Lonican

The members of Mullingar Shamrocks were saddened to learn of the death earlier this week of Kathleen Lonican, Ginnell Terrace., Mullingar. The club expresses sincere sympathy to Kathleen’s husband Peter and her children Peter (Jnr), Michael, Josie, Stephen, Patrick, Cyril, Catherine, Anthony, Philip, Eileen and Paul, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sisters Alice and Annie Joe, her brother Paddy, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, family circle, neighbours and friends.

Kathleen had many a great night in the Mullingar Shamrocks Clubhouse during its glory days and made a remarkable recovery from a serious illness suffered about fifteen years ago and returned to play Bingo in the Clubhouse from her wheelchair with her oxygen supply. A remarkable woman.

May Kathleen Rest in Peace.

Congratulations Eddie and Clare ...

Mullingar Shamrocks congratulates Eddie and Clare Moore on the birth of Alexander. One can imagine the headlines in about twenty years from now: Alexander the Great inspires Mullingar Shamrocks to county title victory.