2015 Feis Cup Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 4-13 The Downs 0-6.
The final event of a very busy weekend at Springfield coincidentally ended the 2015 playing season of our senior footballers and provided some silverware for the sideboard. The game began with the intensity that one would expect from this local derby with The Downs defence tackling with great determination. However with Denis Corroon and Kieran Gavin dominant at midfield and the Shamrocks defence also in control the relentless attacks of Shamrocks slowly began to pay dividends. A foul on Brendan O’Reilly led to Denis Corroon pointing a free from a difficult angle. A great attacking move by Shamrocks that involved more than twelve phases, as the rugby boys might say, ended with Eiffe Siode scoring the game’s opening goal. At this time, Daragh Daly at full-forward was also posing problems for The Downs defence. Dylan McDermott added another point after a fine solo run and almost immediately he combined with Tye Adamson and Eiffe to send Daragh Daly through for Shamrocks second goal: 2-3 to 0-0 after twenty minutes. The Downs opened their scoring account shortly afterwards with a point from a free but points by Ciaran Curley, Brendan O’Reilly, Dylan McDermott and Denis Corroon added to the Shamrocks tally before Niall Gavin responded for The Downs. When Mick Gordon’s half-time whistle came the score of 2-7 to 0-2 was a fair reflection of the Shamrocks dominance.
The second half was a more leisurely affair but what was welcome from a Shamrocks perspective was that the effort never wavered and although the game was effectively over as a contest Shamrocks went close to doubling their first-half tally when play resumed. Daragh Daly now operating at mid-field scored a fine long range point and Tye Adamson and Brendan O’Reilly combined to send the latter through for a fine third goal. A great save by Philly Shaw deprived The Downs of a meaningful response. Three pointed frees reduced the deficit and with 15 minutes remaining Shamrocks commanded the score board 3-8 to 0-5. Tye Adamson and Denis Corroon responded with spectacular long-range efforts and in the final minutes Daragh Daly, Denis Corroon (0-2) added points before Gary Corroon hit the game’s final goal with the last kick of the match and closed the score at 4-13 to 0-6.
The young and inexperienced team representing The Downs proved to be no match for the mix of youth and experience fielded by Shamrocks on this occasion. It was a fine team effort by Shamrocks who scored 4-11 from play; Shamrocks supporters left Springfield in optimistic mood for the season ahead.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Aaron Purcell, David Miller, Eddie Moore; Effie Siode (1-0) [Gary Corroon (1-0)], Donal O’Donoghue, James Grogan; Kieran Gavin and Denis Corroon (0-5); Dylan McDermott (0-2), Seanie Daly (Mickey McKnight), Tye Adamson (0-2); Ciaran Curley (0-1) [Ryan Blundell], Daragh Daly (1-2), Brendan O’Reilly (1-1).
