ACL Div. 2: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-9 St Malachy’s 0-11.

Finally a win at Division 2 level in the ACL and a fully deserved one. It’s  a win that  makes survival in the division a possibility, a distinction worth fighting for so that Shamrocks can maintain its status as the only Westmeath club with teams in Division 1 and 2.

Shamrocks dominated the early exchanges and after a  Nathan Smith point, a  Paddy Joyce run put Garry Corroon through on goal and the veteran forward making a comeback after a six-week long absence due to injury, made no mistake and planted the ball in the St Malachy’s net. This was the first of many significant contributions made by Paddy Joyce who was outstanding on the night and had his finest game for Shamrocks in a long time. His play in the final ten minutes ensured the Shamrocks victory.  Joyce himself added 0-2 before the interval and on the stroke of half-time only a great save by the St Malachy’s goalkeeper prevented Paddy from adding a goal to his total. The resultant 45 was pointed by Nathan Smith. St Malachy’s balanced the Shamrocks first half total with seven points of their own, all scored from play and most coming from ill-judged Shamrocks passing movements.

Tye Adamson stamped his authority on the second-half and scored 0-2 in the opening minutes of a half in which he excelled and in which his speed and ball carrying ability were invaluable.  A good save by Daragh Ryan in the tenth minute was also crucial at this stage; Gary Corroon added a point and   Nathan Smith sealed the Shamrocks victory with two almost identical pointed frees. Apart from those already mentioned Robert Ryan, James Shaw and Dylan Ledwith defended well, Davy Coyne continued with the good form he has shown all year while the experience of Donal O’Donoghue and Conor Twomey was invaluable.

Shamrocks: Daragh Ryan; Dylan Ledwith, Robert Ryan, James Shaw; Mickey McKnight, Mark McLoughlin, Paul Christie (Davy Coyne); Donal O’ Donoghue and Paddy Joyce (0-2); Nathan Smith (0-4), Tye Adamson (0-2), Gary Corroon (1-1) [Shane Colleary]; Conor Twomey, John Ganly and Stephen Hassett (Brian Melody).

There was no joy for our under-14 footballers in their county championship Div. 1 match: they were beaten by Maryland-Tang (5-12 to 2-2).