Mullingar Shamrocks

Founded 1953

Co. Westmeath

Superb Shamrocks win Minor Championship ...

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Minor (Div. 2) County Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-10 Caulry 0-11.

Congratulations and jubilation was the order of the day in Ballynacarrigy on Sunday afternoon as Mullingar Shamrocks finished two points ahead of Caulry in an excellent Minor (Div. 2) final. Conor Fagan sent Shamrocks on the road to victory within 30 seconds when he kicked a fine point from play. Good defending by both sides and a tricky wind made scoring difficult but both sides were guilty of some poor shooting in the early stages. Andrew Stuart Treanor equalised from a 45 and from the restart Eoin Doran found the high fielding Shane Ormsby who carried the ball forward and released to John Ryan and ‘the mister perpetual motion’ of the Shamrocks team kicked a good point. Conor Fagan extended the lead with his second point before Óisin Shortall reduced the deficit A lovely Rian Adamson point from play ended the first quarter with Shamrocks leading by 0-4 to 0-2.

Conor Fagan added another point early in the second quarter before he scored the only goal of the game. And what a wonderful goal it was. The Caulry goalkeeper Max O’Sullivan who excelled with his long restarts opted to go short and his kick was intercepted by Conor. With a sublime piece of skill, made more difficult by the tricky wind, Conor chipped the keeper and dropped the ball under the crossbar for the crucial goal that extended Shamrocks lead to six points (1-5 to 0-2). The Caulry response was immediate and David Gaynor and Óisin Shortall scored points. Conor Fagan from a free had the final score of the half with Shamrocks leading by 1-6 to 0-4. Before the break, the second crucial match winning episode of play occurred. A wonderful defence splitting pass sent the Caulry centre forward Tiernan O’Donovan through for what seemed to be a certain goal. However, Eoin Doran had other ideas and O’Donovan’s shot from close range was brilliantly smothered by Eoin. It was great to stop the shot but to hold on to the ball elevated the save to a different level entirely and preserved Shamrocks five-point lead.

Caulry’s remedial action at half-time had an immediate impact. Andrew Stuart Traynor moved to midfield and Aaron Murphy was introduced as a substitute. Between them they scored five points as Shamrocks were held scoreless. Stuart Trainor scored twice in the opening minutes, Murphy kicked a fine point from play and Stuart Trainor added two more points from frees before the break. Caulry missed a few scorable frees at this time when Stuart Trainor was not the kicker.

Shamrocks were under fierce pressure in the final quarter as Caulry chased the scores that would deliver the county title. The loss of Ben Egan to a black card in the final play of the third quarter added to the challenge for the Shamrocks boys. The resistance was fierce and the siege was gradually lifted. Another Conor Fagan pointed free inched Shamrocks ahead; Óisin Shortall equalised. Nathan Cornally won a great possession as Conor Kelly arrived at his shoulder galloping from deep in defence. Conor’s timing was perfect, Nathan delivered and Conor (‘the most dangerous man in football’ -Vinnie Timoney) soloed through and kicked high and straight between the Caulry posts to establish the lead once again (1-8 to 0-10). The point was a huge morale booster and a great example of a captain leading from the front. Tom Hickey, working ferociously hard, won possession in midfield found Conor Fagan who made a mark and immediately passed to John Ryan who pointed Shamrocks into a two point lead. Andrew Stuart Traynor kicked a fine point from long range to reduce the deficit to the minimum. Shane Ormsby departed the scene with a knee injury to add to Shamrocks difficulties but it was Conor Fagan who recorded the final score – a fine long range free kicked from the hands. Conor Kelly picked up a black card in the final minutes, but it didn’t matter and when Brendan Keenan blew the final whistle Mullingar Shamrocks, who were never headed, had recorded a significant victory for the club. For the first time since 2008 a minor title was on its way to Springfield.

This was a great team victory with every panellist playing his part during the year; it was wonderful to see 31 players togged out in Ballynacarrigy. The members of the hosting club should be commended on the excellence of their arrangements. Ollie Baker in presenting the trophy to Conor Kelly suggested that football was the real winner on the day. And so it was. Shamrocks excelled on the day and their teamwork and combination play was excellent. Their ability to retain possession and move the ball calmly from defence was exemplary as was their skilful tackling. The Shamrocks defence was outstanding; the fullback line of Enda Keating, Conor Kelly and Ruarí Hickey excelled and were never beaten. The halfback line of Ben White, Ben Egan and Aaron Russell was just as good. Shane Ormsby was magnificent at midfield; his high fielding recalled the feats of another Ormsby who played in the position in the last century. Tom Hickey was just as good and his work rate throughout was a central piece of the victory jigsaw. Our half-forward line worked in the manner of a modern half-forward line. John Ryan popped up all over the pitch and added 0-2 to the scoreboard. The battle between Rian Adamson and Harry Stuart Treanor was one of the game’s highlights. Two great footballers engaged in a head-to-head challenge with honours even at the end of the day. Ciarán Kieran with his great pace was as constant threat to the Caulry defence. In the full forward line, Darragh Hughes ability to win possession was crucial as it kept one of Caulry’s key players, Tadgh Baker fully occupied for the duration. Luke McCabe’s power and strength were valuable assets. Nathan Cornally, Robin Habimaa (a relative newcomer to the game) on their introduction played their part and at the end, William O’Reilly (one for the future) and Tadhg Sheridan also tasted the action.

This was essentially a team victory, but two individual pieces of brilliance were critical to the result. Conor Fagan scored 1-6 from placed balls and play but it was his goal that will be recalled in the years to come. Conor joins Gavin White and Emma Duggan as the goalkeeper chippers of the season. After Gavin White (Kerry) chipped Niall Morgan in the NFL game v Tyrone, Lee Costello wrote in SportsJoe.ie that ‘However, there is nothing that makes us feel quite as rebellious, giddy and cheeky as spotting the goalkeeper off their line and lobbing that big floating ball in over their head, to drop right under the black spot’. This is exactly what Conor delivered twenty minutes into the first half. A difficult skill perfectly executed. And just on half-time, Conor Doran, a vastly improved goalkeeper from a few years ago, made the save that mattered as described earlier.

Great credit is due to our team management for a job well done. Conor Kelly in his acceptance speech referenced the great improvement made by the panel of players. Team manager Micheál Burke, Niall O’Brien, Seamus Wallace and Vinnie Timoney worked tirelessly with the group and their good coaching was clearly evident in Ballynacarrigy and other venues during the year. Their detached and calm sideline management was also noteworthy with the players trusted to make the right decisions. Collins made sure everything was in place for training and games and his contribution should never be forgotten. The bond between the players was evident in the post-match euphoria when the group moved to the dugout to ensure Shane Ormsby was included in the celebratory picture; it was also very evident later in Springfield when the boys ensured that the immobile Shane got his share of pizza! ‘We are all in this together’ epitomised.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Enda Keating, Conor Kelly (0-1), Ruairí Hickey; Ben White, Ben Egan (William O’Reilly), Aaron Russell; Shane Ormsby (Tadhg Sheridan), Tom Hickey; John Ryan (0-2), Rian Adamson (0-1), Ciarán Kiernan (Robert Habimaa); Luke McCabe (Nathan Cornally), Darragh Hughes, Conor Fagan (1-6).

Other panellists: Adan Boyle, Dylan Carey, Cameron Crichton, Mikey Curley, Óisin Garry ,Jack Guilfoyle, Killian Kelly, Cian McGrath, Aaron Smith, Nathan McLoughlin-Purcell, Michael Swarbrigg, Caoilin Walshe.

Fógra: The parents were very much part of the team that made this victory possible and were available all year to provide transport etc and were always present on match day to provide the vocal and moral support.

There were many proud parents and grandparents in Ballynacarrigy on Sunday around 1.30 and lots of photo opportunities were availed of which can be viewed at the Mullingar Shamrocks Facebook page.

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