Minor LGF Div.3 Final: Tyrrellspass 3-2 Mullingar Shamrocks 1-7.
The great winning sequences of our under-age LGF teams came to an end in Rochfortbridge when the Minor girls suffered a 3-2 to 1-7 loss to Tyrrellspass in the Division 3 County Final. Despite the final result, the girls delivered what was their best performance of the season and totally dominated the final 35 minutes of the game but could not convert the many chances created to grab that elusive equalising point. Wides (at least 10), shots dropping short or into the goalkeeper’s hands and turnovers proved costly.
The early exchanges were even before Tyrrellspass aided by the wind and hill opened the scoring with a point from Cara Corcoran. The Shamrocks response was immediate and after a series of passes, Kate Mohan in the Tyrrellspass goal brilliantly saved Mollie Maguire’s finishing shot. However, Shamrocks completed the attack when Alex Gavigan pointed. Shamrocks gathered possession from the restart and Grace Daly and Katie Matthews combined for the latter to score a neat point. Grace Daly extended the Shamrocks lead with a pointed free and after twelve minutes the scoreboard read 0-3 to 0-1 in favour of Mullingar Shamrocks.
Inspired by the play of Amy Seery in particular as well as Dawn Gill, Shannon Corroon and Rachel Murphy Tyrrellspass enjoyed 15 minutes of dominance during which time they established the lead that ultimately secured the title. In the twelfth minute, Emma Coyne scored the first goal of the afternoon after a bout of combined play, this was quickly followed by a Rachel Murphy point. Six minute later Ellie Scott had the ball in the Shamrocks net for the second time and when a long range shot form Cara Corcoran eluded Emily Forde for a third Tyrrellspass goal, Shamrocks were in deep trouble and trailed by eight points (3-2 to 0-3). The Shamrocks girls responded in style and displayed the bravery and resilience that was apparent all season. They attacked fiercely before the break and three scoring attempts were foiled by the woodwork. Grace Daly and Alexa Gavigan were foiled by the crossbar and Alexa’s effort for a point rebounded from the post.
This was a classic example of the game of two halves as Shamrocks totally dominated the second half as Tyrrellspass struggled to take the ball past the half-way line. Caoimhe Farrell reduced the deficit with a fine point. Tyrrellspass responded with their most threatening attack of the half and it took a brilliant Emily Forde save to prevent a goal. In attempting to collect the ball Emily fouled Rachel Murphy and the resultant penalty kick was saved by Emily to keep Shamrocks in the game. Grace Daly pointed twice from free kicks and once from play to reduce the deficit to four points after 15 minutes of the half (3-2 to 0-7). Kate Mohan saved well from Orla Nohilly but Orla was not to be denied as minutes later her brilliantly struck dipping shot skipped under the crossbar to reduce the deficit to the minimum with ten minutes remaining. Tyrrellspass were in serious trouble but to their credit they marshalled their defence and inspired by centre-back Dawn Gill defended the lead and indeed missed one very good scoring chance before the final whistle.
This very young Mullingar Shamrocks team (11 are eligible next year) performed superbly but were unfortunate with their finishing. All six defenders led by Ellie O’Donnell, a warrior at centre back excelled. Emily Forde had a final game in goal and her restarts worked to Shamrocks advantage. Katie Matthews and Aideen Langtry controlled mid-field for most of the games with Aideen having one of her finest games. There was a lot of great work by the forwards, great combination play but unfortunately on this occasion the shooting proved costly. However, Credit to the Tyrrellspass defence for great defending under intense pressure.
And at the end of the day there was flowers from Annemarie Hassett and chocolates for Johnny Hassett, John Moylan and Keith Mathews as the girls showed their appreciation for their management team and their hard work over the season. These are the gestures that matter.
The final score was disappointing but that was all – the performance was one that all involved can be proud of. We won a few important matches this season and last by the minimum margin. Sometimes the opposite happens (not too often we hope) and we congratulate Tyrrellspass on their victory.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Emily Forde; Seoidín Thornton (Alannah Burke), Ella Briody, Rosie O’ Grady; Eabha Moran, Ellie O’Donnell, Saoirse Clinton (SeoidinThornton); Aideen Langtry, Katie Matthews (0-1); Aya Hacini (Orla Nohilly (1-0)), Caoimhe Farrell (0-1) (Florence Geelon), Alexa Gavigan (0-1); Mollie Maguire (Aya Hacini), Grace Daly (0-4), Zara Corroon. Other Panellists: Ece Ozdemir, Abi Matthews, Layla Dowd, Kara McKeown.
