Feis Cup, Quarter-Final: Caulry 3-9 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-6.

Shamrocks surrendered their 2015 Feis Cup title when they were comprehensively outplayed by Caulry on Tuesday evening in Mount Temple. Both sides exchanged scores from pointed frees in the opening minutes but by the fifteenth minute an understrength Shamrocks had eased into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead. Seanie Daly was responsible for all the Shamrocks score; the goal arrived courtesy of a penalty which Daly blasted to the net in spectacular fashion. At this stage Shamrocks dominated in all areas with Eddie Moore, Micheál Curley and Kieran Gavin prominent in defence and Donal O’Donoghue and Seanie Daly controlling midfield. This was not to last however; Shamrocks failed to register another score in the opening half, Caulry gradually took control and with pointed frees and a Stevie Brooks goal from sloppy defending established a half-time lead of 1-7 to 1-2. Robbie Hickey was responsible for all seven of Caulry’s points. Seanie Daly and Dylan McDermott with pointed frees reduced the deficit early in the second-half. A thundering run by Ernie Buckley ended with the corner back scoring an inspirational point; this was followed almost immediately by a great Eoin Fox goal to leave Shamrocks trailing by 2-8 to 1-4 with fifteen minutes remaining. A double yellow card reduced Caulry to fourteen players but the numerical deficit was never apparent in the final quarter. A great save by the Caulry goalkeeper prevented Conor Twomey from making an impression on the scoreboard. This was the second great goal scoring chanced spurned as Tye Adamson was also foiled by great goalkeeping early in the first half. Donal O’Donoghue and Dylan McDermott scored points but when David Brooks beat goalkeeper Dj Fedronas to the punch and scored Caulry’s third goal, Shamrocks reign as Feis Cup champions was ended. Billy Flynn’s consolation goal took some of the ugliness off the scoreboard.

‘They wanted it more’ is one of the great clichés used to explain unexpected defeats in team sport; it is appropriate on this occasion. Some poor shooting also contributed as Shamrocks kicked six wides in each half.

Shamrocks: Daragh Ryan (Dj Fedronas); Paddy Joyce, Eddie Moore, Paul Christie (Aaron Purcell); Billy Flynn (1-0), Kieran Gavin, Micheál Curley; Donal O’Donoghue (0-1) and Seanie Daly (1-3); Pearse Corroon (Anthony Clinton), Conor Twomey, Ryan Blundell (Mickey McKnight); Ross Corroon (Effie Siode), Dylan McDermott (0-2), Tye Adamson.