A very positive display  by the Mullingar Shamrocks LGF senior team in Rochfortbridge on Sunday morning that unfortunately did not secure the league points on offer. 

Shamrocks began impressively, winning possession from the throw-in and when Honor MacNamara’s dipping shot rebounded from the crossbar Caoimhe Farrell, making her senior debut, was on hand to finish the ball to the net.  Senior debuts don’t get much better. 

Playing towards the dressing rooms in Rochfortbridge is challenging and with the  help of the wind Rochfortbridge added three points to draw level midway through the half. Points from Caitriona Dunne and Jenny Judge secured the lead for the home team and as half-time approached Shamrocks were well placed. However, in the last play of the half-hour after some excellent defending the Shamrocks defence was finally unhinged, Jenny Judge goaled and the half-time whistle was blown on the restart. 

Rochfortbridge extended the lead with a point following the restart, a score that was balanced by a Holly McCormack pointed free that began the Shamrocks revival. From the restart, good work by Caoimhe Farrell  found Honor MacNamara who created a scoring chance for Susanna Buckley with a wonderful pass. Susanna pointed. Honor pointed twice, one off the left boot and one off the right, to cut the deficit to the minimum. 

Shamrocks dominated possession at this stage and played some great football retaining possession with fine passing movements and securing posession with good tackling and won some great turnovers. Another point from the creator-in-chief Honor MacNamara and one from Mairéad Newman brought the sides level at 1-6 each with ten minutes remaining. The odds favoured Mullingar Shamrocks at this stage but Rochfortbridge defended well.

A Rochfortbridge attack ended with a free and Amy Cully’s shot dropped under the crossbar for the crucial goal. Shamrocks responded with great spirit and a Zara Corroon point reduced the deficit. Shamrocks continued to attack and a great move sent Chloe Smullen through on goal but Chloe’s shot blasted off the post to safety.

That was it – a fine display with no league points to show for it after a fine display. Apart from our county players, Karen Hegarty, Sarah Geoghegan and Grace Daly were injured absentees. Chloe Farrell and Aya Hacini made their senior debut and can be well satisfied with the start of their career in adult football. 

And, Clara Thornton made an impressive return to action this time between the posts. Clara’s handling and shot stopping was top class and her restarts and clearances were equally good. Clara even found time for the occasional outfield run. No doubt, we’ll be seeing a lot more of Clara in her new role of goal saver rather than goal scorer.  

Mullingar Shamrocks: Clara Thornton; Eve Hynes, Melek Fagan, Rosie O’Grady; Annemarie O’Reilly, Chloe Swarbrigg, Aideen Langtry; Mairéad Newman (0-1), Jenna Kelly (Sinead Sweeney); Caoimhe Farrell (1-0) [Aya Hacini], Honor MacNamara (0-3), Susanna Buckley (0-1); Chloe Smullen, Holly McCormack (0-1), Zara Corroon (0-1).