Junior Football I Championship: The Downs 2-12 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-7

The footballers of The Downs and Mullingar Shamrocks were granted the rare privilege of playing a football match in one of the homes of Westmeath hurling, Raharney on Sunday morning. And a wonderful home it is with two full size pitches and a top-class clubhouse. Mullingar Shamrocks fielded 12 of the players who lined out on Friday night in the Junior II match so this team is likely to feature some interesting names on its next outing.

The football wasn’t as good and for most of the hour was an uncompetitive affair as The Downs strolled to what appeared to be a stress-free victory after Shane Power opened their scoring account with 1-1 in the first few minutes. John O’Reilly and Kenneth O’Reilly replied with a point each for Shamrocks at the end of the first quarter the scoreboard read 1-1 to 0-2. The Downs added another 1-3 to the total in the second quarter; a Gary Corroon point was the best that Shamrocks had to offer and at half-time The Downs led by 2-4 to 0-3 and this lead was extended to 2-9 to 0-5 at the end of the third quarter with Kenneth O’Reilly adding the Shamrocks scores from two frees.

All changed in the third quarter as Shamrocks inspired by Gary Corroon made a dramatic comeback. Gary dived bravely to score Shamrocks opening goal and Kenneth O’Reilly pointed a free and when Gary scored his second goal it was game on and just a goal separated the sides (2-9 to 2-6). Marc Eivers surged forward but a great save from Owen Patterson prevented the equaliser. Shamrocks were wide from an easy free (we wont say who kicked it) and Trevor Keena blazed wide from a great goal scoring opportunity. Brian Farrell added a point but The Downs regained their composure and added three points to secure the championship points.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Seán Óg Hynes; Peter Bane (Ronan McHugh), Marc Eivers; Tomas Turks; Niall Hardiman, Eamonn Breslin, Jack Kelly; Emmet Walsh, John O’Reilly; (0-1); Matthew Clinton, Kenneth O’Reilly (0-4), Andrew Shaw; Gary Corroon (2-1), Trevor Keena, Brian Farrell (0-1).