ACL Div. 2 Bunbrosna 1-14 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-11.

Playing in Division 2 was never going to be easy and with injuries, examinations, retirements, transfers and disinterest it has become even more challenging; on some evenings fielding is the achievement. Nevertheless this match with Bunbrosna was one of the better outings in the division and was overall a satisfactory performance with a number of players turning in fine individual displays; there was also some very good combined play, but in the final analysis, greater fitness and strength tipped the scales in favour of the home side who won convincingly by scoring a succession of unanswered points.

Bunbrosna opened the scoring but a fine effort from Mark McLoughlin equalised matters and a Stephen Hassett point following a good run from Tye Adamson edged Shamrocks ahead. Two pointed frees from Eddie Casey, two good points from Dale Johnson and points by Stephen Hassett and Paddy Joyce gave Shamrocks their 0-8 first-half total. One who didn’t score was Brian Melody but he provided much of the inspiration behind the forward play of the opening half. Bunbrosna’s crucial score, a Barry O’Meara penalty goal, was scored just before the interval and levelled the match (1-5 to 0-8). Two points by Neil Hannigan early in the second-half gave cause for optimism; the second required a great save by the Bunbrosna keeper to prevent a goal and another great save from a Paddy Joyce effort was also crucial. However, a Tye Adamson pointed free was Shamrocks only score for the final twenty minutes and a series of Bunbrosna points earned them a deserved victory.
Shamrocks: Daragh Ryan; Kyle Maguire, David Coyne, Ritchie Daly; Mark McLoughlin (0-1), Ross Corroon, Billy Flynn; Pearse Corroon and Paddy Joyce (0-1); Dale Johnson (0-2), Brian Melody, Stephen Hassett (0-2); Tye Adamson (0-1), Eddie Casey (0-2) [Barry Maguire] and Ross Brady (Neil Hannigan 0-2)