Under-17 Football Championship: Clann Braonáin 4-12 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-9

The latest edition to the Westmeath football championship, the Under-17, began and ended for Mullingar Shamrocks in Tyrrellspass on Wednesday evening when Clann Braonáin proved the stronger in what was a fine game of football. The Tyrrellspass-Milltownpass combination held a deserved 1-6 to 1-4 interval lead after dominating for most of the half. Good work by Seán Óg Hynes and the fullback line of Cian Fox, Matthew Siode and Daniel Chukwuemekg helped to keep Shamrocks in the game. Clann Braonáin eased into an 1-1 to 0-0 lead before Cian Fox pointed for Shamrocks. Gary Farron the Clann Braonáin goalscorer added a point which was neutralised by a Trevor Keena free (1-2 to 0-2). Seán Óg Hynes deflected a great Brandon Kelly shot over the bar; Kelly added three more points prior to the interval. Trevor Keena and Jack Gillen had points before Keena created an opening for Jack Gillen who finished to the net (1-6 to 1-4).
Clann Braonáin outscored Shamrocks 1-5 to 0-2 in the opening quarter of the second half. Two mighty Jack Gillen pointed frees were the best Shamrocks had to offer – the second effort sailed over from the half way line. This point kick-started a Shamrocks revival that was great to see. Jack Gillen created an opening and Trevor Keena goaled, Gillen, who really stepped up to the plate in this match, added two more points. A brave Thomas Turks interception began a move that also involved Emmet Walsh and Gillen before Turks popped up to take the final pass but unfortunately Thomas shot just over the crossbar and a great chance of equalising was lost (2-11 to 2-9). Brandon Kelly pointed to steady the Clann Braonáin ship and when goalkeeper Seán Óg Hynes slipped on taking the kick-out a penalty was conceded which Liam Browne dispatched to the Shamrocks net. James Nolan added a fourth goal with a neat chip to seal the championship victory.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Seán Óg Hynes; Cian Fox (0-1), Matthew Siode, Daniel Chukwuemekg; Thomas Turks (0-1), Mark Flynn (Ciaran Looby), Niall Ouchbakou; Jack Gillen (1-5), Rory O’Sullivan Sexton; Andrew Shaw (Barry Nwokeiwu), Trevor Keena (1-2) William Adzangoa (Eoin Kilduff), John O’Reilly (Tulu), Emmett Walsh, Peter Hynes (Zach Aherne).