Mullingar Shamrocks completed their LGF Senior championship campaign in Springfield on Thursday evening with a deserved victory over table-toppers St Joseph’s. Annemarie O’ Reilly and Anna Jones made a welcome return to the Shamrocks colours and both performed to their normal standard of excellence. 

Scores flowed freely in the first 3 minutes. 

Grace Daly had the ball  in the St Joseph’s net within 30 seconds, from the restart Clara Thornton gained possession, and her shot for goal was helped over the bar by the St Joseph’s goalkeeper Emily Nally. St Joseph’s poured forward and Aoife Keegan pointed and a great Kayla McDonnell pass ended with Ciara Daly shooting past Katie Kelly. It was the last time Katie Kelly was beaten, as the Mullingar Shamrocks goalkeeper had a superb game between the Shamrocks posts. The high scoring classic that the early outburst of scoring promised didn’t quite materialize and St Joseph’s failed to score again in the first half. Conditions were far from ideal for free-flowing football.

Wind assisted, Mullingar Shamrocks added another 1-7 to their first two minutes total before the interval. Anna Jones pointed as did Karen Hegarty following a great Clara Thornton pass, Anna Jones pointed a free and at the other end a great double save from Katie Kelly kept St Joseph’s at bay.  A great Sarah Geoghegan pass provided an opportunity for Anna Jones who pointed from long Range. A Karen Hegarty deliver hopped over the bar, Grace Daly hit a neat point and Anna Jones pointed a second free to bring the score to 1-8 to 1-1 as half-time approached. A later Shamrocks attack ended when Mairéad Newman was taken down for a penalty which Anna Jones dispatched to the net with her usual efficiency. 

The second half told a different story as St Joseph’s helped by the elements attacked incessantly but great defending led by Siobhán O’ Donnell, Eve Hynes and Melek Fagan kept manners on the scoreboard.  Susanna Buckley’s mobility as an extra midfielder was a decided asset in  defence and attack and as usual Mairead Newman was every where as usual. Jodi Aherne can be satisified with her season as can Grace Daly who now has a first full season of adult football experience completed. Sinead Robbins (0-2) and Aoife Keegan pointed in the opening ten minutes before Karen Hegarty pointed from play. Sinead Robbins again pointed before a great bout of combined play involving Jodi Aherne, Karen Hegarty and Mairéad Newman ended with Jenna Kelly clipping a point. 

A stupendous Katie  Kelly save from point blank range from Aimee Slevin which Kellie deflected over the crossbar rescued Shamrocks and probably decided the result in her club’s favour. St Joseph’s finished with points from Sinead robins, Leanne Daly and Kayla McDonnell reduced the  deficit but at the final whistle Mullingar Shamrocks had four points to spare.  

And so the season ended where Mullingar Shamrocks were very unlucky not to reach the knock-out stages of the championship. It wasn’t for the want of trying as the girls worked hard in all four games.  Thanks to all for their efforts during the season and a special word of appreciation to team manager Ritchie Daly, and his selectors Johnny Moylan and John Hassett,  and  multi-tasker Debbie Newman.  

Mullingar Shamrocks: Katie Kelly, Melek Fagan, Siobhán O’ Donnell Rosie O’Grady (Aideen Langtry), Eve Hynes,  Chloe Swarbrigg, Annemarie O’Reilly; Mairéad Newman, Anna Jones (1-4); Jodi Aherne, Sarah Geoghegan, Clara Thornton (0-1) (Jenna Kelly, 0-1); Susanna  Buckley, Karen Hegarty (0-3), Grace Daly (1-1).