ACL Div.3: Mullingar Shamrocks 4-9 The Downs 3-9
Expect the unexpected nowadays for Mullingar Shamrocks matches. We rush in the gate at The Downs, 5 minutes late for the ACL Div.3 match to find that the match had been rescheduled for 8.15. I suppose club PROs are not supposed to know about these things. Luckily, we had the Irish Examiner in the car and we settled to read Derek McGrath’s advice to Cork hurlers and their need to eliminate the outside noise. We abandoned that article after a few minutes: too difficult for a cold night, too philosophical, too much what a clever boy am I style of writing, too self-serving. We turned to the Irish Times where Joe Canning had a very interesting piece on referees and how important it was that they explain their decisions on fouls committed. There’s a bit of local interest in that article too but you are going to have to read it yourself to find out what it is.
Expect the unexpected (2): Match time came and Who’s the Number 9 was the question asked? James Larkin we were informed. James was making his first appearance in a Mullingar Shamrocks jersey since God knows when. And then who do we spot sitting in the dugout but the great Paddy Joyce also on the comeback trail. Welcome back boys.
The match itself was a worthwhile exercise played partly under lights with some excellent scores from both sides. Shamrocks led by 3-5 to 1-3 at the interval after racing to an early 2-1 to 0-0 lead. Zach Ahern goaled in the opening minute after Tomass Turks won a great possession and Ollie MacNamara jinked to send Zach through. Ollie scored the second goal after Andrew Shaw surged through the middle. Seán Hynes, playing at full forward, set up Andrew Shaw for the opening point. Donal Coughlan, Adam Conneely and Jack Carroll pointed for The Downs to reduce the deficit. Ollie MaNamara pointed, John O’Reilly added 1-1 to increase the Shamrocks lead (3-3 to 0-3) before a Jack Carroll rocket flew past Mikey McDonagh in the Shamrocks goal. Ollie MacNamara closed the first half scoring with two superb long-range pointed frees.
The Downs attacked on resumption and were rewarded with a penalty which Jack Carroll blasted to the net but a great Zach Aherne point from close to the sideline kept the Shamrocks on track. A minute later Jack Carroll went one better when he pointed an actual sideline. Ollie MacNamara was the one that supplied the finishing touches to a great combined move to score Shamrocks fourth goal (4-6 to 2-4). Ollie, Zach and Ryan Blundell completed the scoring as The Downs mounted a comeback with points from Ben Harte (0-2), Shane Carroll (0-2) and of course Jack Carroll who finished the evening with 3-3 to his credit. The third goal came on the stroke of full time and Shamrocks held on for a deserved win on a 4-9 to 3-9 scoreline. The victory was maybe a little bit unexpected too.
Expect the Unexpected (3): The second half entertainment was enlivened by an animated debate between an umpire and a Shamrocks mentor on the legality of keeping the kicking tee on the pitch during general play. Our man resorted to Google for the answer and is claiming victory in that discussion, and we think he is right!
Mullingar Shamrocks: Mikey McDonagh; Niall Hardiman, Marc Eivers, Eamonn Breslin; Tomass Turks, Pearse Corroon, Ryan Blundell (0-1); Brian Farrell (Aaron Russell, temporary substitute), James Larkin; John O’Reilly (1-1), Zach Aherne (1-2), Emmet Walsh; Andrew Shaw (0-1), Seán Óg Hynes, Ollie MacNamara (2-4).
