Under-10 Blitz

Despite the rain another great Blitz was staged in Springfield on Sunday this time catering for the Under-10s age group. As usual Tom Earley, our caretaker, was the first to report for duty  to Springfield (at  8.30am)  and had the Dressing Rooms and  Clubhouse in perfect working order for the visitors who began rolling in shortly after 9.30 am.

As usual the Go Games rules applied and Barry Kelly, Paddy Joyce and Seán Óg Hynes (the latest Mullingar Shamrocks player to wear the county jersey … well done Seán Óg) took care of the refereeing duties; J. P. Crowley was another who reported early for duty and managed the team registration along with updating the scoreboard supported by a team of runners drawn from the under-14 and under-12 teams in the club. In the later stages, Seán Óg Hynes when his refereeing duties ended, took care of the scoreboard with Robbie Boyle also on hand to keep information updated.

 Róisin Masterson was responsible for the logistics of feeding the multitudes and assembled a team who ensured that the visitors enjoyed the legendary Mullingar Shamrocks hospitality. Paul Doolin and Seán Hynes were the pitch coordinators. 

 Sean Corroon was responsible for the overall management of the event and the smooth running of the occasion was proof positive of his administrative skills while Pat Collins and Robbie Boyle also kept a watching eye on events.

 Mullingar Shamrocks fielded two teams and we also had Killucan, St Loman’s and The Downs to keep the Westmeath flag flying against teams representing Killoe Emmett’s, Navan O’ Mahoney’s, St Sylvester’s, Erin’s Isle, St Colmcille’s, Kilmacud Crokes and Celbridge.  Mullingar Shamrocks (Green) had great matches with Killucan, Killoe Emmett’s and Navan O’Mahoney’s and then beat Mullingar Shamrocks (Whites) in the Shield semi-final. In the local derby final full of great football St Loman’s came out on top (3-3 to 2-2) after a great second-half comeback by the Shamrocks boys fell just short.  Mullingar Shamrocks (Whites) had great battles with The Downs, St Colmcilles and Erin’s Isle before losing narrowly to Mullingar Shamrocks (Green) in the Shield competition.

 Our men on duty were Ted Aherne, Dillon Burke, Dylan Byrne, Paddy Colleary, Billy Connolly, Hugo Corroon, James Davitt, Oisín Gavin, Elliott Harte, Liam Heffernan, Seán Hickey, Luke Kelly, Ruairí Kilmartin, Zak Masterson, Ryan McNamee, Christy Nevin, Declan Newman, Pádraig Regan, Darragh Ryan, Aodhán Sandison, Rían Sheeran, Conor Walsh, Jason Xinhaowang, Darren Keegan, Charlie Murtagh, Eoin Goldricks, Christian Conway, Zak Coyne and David Fulham.

 In the main final, St Colmcille’s defeated Navan O’Mahoney’s in a final of great skillful football and added their names to the Rochfort’s (Tommy Nally) Shield awarded to the winners; The Downs confirmed the health of their under-age football when defeating St Sylvester’s in the Trophy Final and Killoe Emmetts were the victors in the Plate final defeating Erin’s Isle, the mother club of one Robbie Boyle.

 Our thanks to all those who contributed and to the coaches and mentors of all the participating teams without whose selflessness events such as this would be impossible. It was wonderful to see the numerous parents, grandparents and family members present to offer support to the young footballers despite the unaccustomed weather.

 A last word: the quality of football on display from these young lads from all clubs was something special.