ACL Div.2: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-18 Milltown 2-18 

A great result for the lads in this ACL Div.2 game against Milltown in Springfield. It means that survival in Division 2 is now likely, the  lads battled to the end and played some very good football in what was a great team effort. And our record against Milltown isn’t great (Jack Sheedy’s  managerial career with Shamrocks began with a loss to Milltown and never subsequently recovered). 

In the early stages of tonight’s game it didn’t look great either as Milltown raced into a 1-5 to 0-0 lead with  points from Ben McGaughran (0-3), Conor Lynn and Matthew Gunning and a goal from Paul Mahon. It might have been worse. Dylan Murtagh raced through the Shamrocks defence and Adam Buckley somehow got a hand to his shot for a vital save. Trevor Keena stopped the rot with a point that began with a fine piece of fielding by Neil Hannigan. A superb strike into the wind by Ross Corroon added two points to the Shamrocks total; another great Ross strike added another point and when Conn O’ Hanlon finished a great move to the back of the Milltown net Shamrocks were very much back in the game. Conor Lynn pointed but quick points from Ross and Conor Heffernan brought the sides level (1-6 each). Milltown regained control and added 1-3 without interruption before points from Killian Mooney and Ross Corroon brought the interval score to 2-9 to 1-8. 

Now is an appropriate time to mention the referee Eoin O’ Gorman. We almost didn’t know there was a referee on the pitch on Wednesday evening, always the best sign of a referee. Eoin arrived in Springfield with a full team of umpires, immaculately dressed in their white jackets and wired for contact with the referee. This is the kind of professionalism that is welcome. 

Ben McGaughran and Trevor Keena exchanged points following the restart before Killian Mooney and Matthew Shaw combined to create an opportunity for Conor Heffernan who kicked a great two-pointer. Conor showed signs of returning to his pre-cruciate injury form on this outing. Ross Corroon pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum (2-10 to 1-12). Points from McGaughran and Lynn extended the lead once again but when Neil Hannigan goaled from a great passing movement the sides were level (2-12 each).  Conor Lynn managed to hit the post when through on goal and a great Adam Buckley save denied Ben McGaughren. A breach infraction provided McGaughren with a simple tap over free, Conor Heffernan responded with a point for Shamrocks. Points from Aidan Maguire and Patrick Somers edged Milltown into the lead again but Ross Corroon had the answer for that lead – another superb strike added two points to the Shamrocks total (2-15 each). Trevor Keena emulated the earlier feat of Conor Lynn and rocked the post with his shot when through on goal. It was that type of game. Matthew Gunning and Donnacha Maguire pointed as did Ben McGaughren and Matthew Shaw.  Shamrocks responded each time Milltown went ahead but when Conor Gibney pointed in the final stages, it seemed as if Milltown might win the day. However there was time for two more plays and in a hectic finish, a Milltown breach infraction presented Ross Corroon with a simple tap over free to bring the sides level. It was the last kick of what was a fine game of football during which 4-36 was split evenly between the teams. Eight Shamrocks players contributed to the scoreboard with Ross Corroon leading the way with 0-9 to his credit including 2 two-pointers. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; Dónal Lane, Davy Coyne, Ronan Byrne; Matthew Shaw (0-1), Conn O’ Hanlon (1-0), Pierce Corroon; Nathan Gavin, Ciaran Kiernan (Donnacha Maguire, 0-1); Neil Hannigan (1-0)[Alan Cashman], Killian Mooney (0-1) [Nathan Cornally], Brian Farrell; Conor Heffernan (0-4), Ross Corroon (0-9),Trevor Keena (0-2) [Tommy  Daly].