ACL Div.1 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-12 Athlone 0-5

A very important victory in the ACL Div.1 match as it continues the momentum and good performance habit that was evident on Sunday against Kinnegad. Shamrocks began briskly had 1-1 on the scoreboard in the opening minutes with a Patrick Fagan point and a Ciarán Curley goal created by a Paddy Joyce surge and pass. Athlone responded with a John Connellan point which Dean Moore matched with a beauty of an effort (1-2 to 0-1). Dean Moore and Donal O’Donoghue had good goal scoring efforts foiled by the Athlone goalkeeper before Donal goaled in the final minute of the half after he fielded well and laid off to Ciarn Curley. Curley chose not to kick the soft option of an obvious point and instead with great composure sent O’Donoghue through for the goal. Patrick Fagan pointed before Barry Nea called for half-time with Shamrocks ahead by seven points (2-3 top 0-2).

Although Athlone were the first to score on resumption, the second half was dominated by Shamrocks who outscored Athlone 0-9 to 0-3. Alan Cashman had the first point, a great individual effort that followed a solo-run from deep in defence; the general view from the dugout was that this was the score of the match. Dean Moore (0-3) continuing with the good form displayed against Kinnegad, Denis Corroon, (0-2), Donal O’Donoghue (0-1), Paddy Joyce and Patrick Fagan completed the scoring and secured two more league points.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Davy Coyne (Marc Eivers), Efe Siode, Eddie Moore (Eamonn Breslin); Paddy Joyce (0-1) [Ryan Blundell], Kieran Gavin, Aaron Purcell; Patrick Fagan (0-3) and Denis Corroon (0-2); Dillon Matthews (Ross Corroon), Dónal O’Donoghue (1-1), Alan Cashman (0-1) [Nathan Smith];  Dean Moore (0-4) Ciarán Curley (1-0) Brendan O’Reilly (Pearse Corroon)