Under-16 Championship: Mullingar Shamrocks 8-12 Shandonagh 2-2.

After a heavy defeat to Athlone (5-14 to 1-8) earlier in the week, Mullingar Shamrocks under-16 team bounced back with a convincing victory over Shandonagh to qualify for top division in the knock-out stages of the championship. This team, winners of the under-14 championship two years ago, has improved as the season progressed and is capable of playing really good football when on form and  has a number of potential senior players in its ranks should they so wish.

Shamrocks established a half-time lead of 2-8 to 1-1 with Dylan Murphy (1-2) and Matthew Maslin (1-4) leading the scoring; a great individual point by Marc Eivers was the score of the half. Early in the second half some great combined play from Cormac Hynes and Matthew Maslin put James Mahedy through for a third Shamrocks goal; Dylan Murphy added a fourth shortly afterwards. A great Cormac Hynes shot also found the net before Shandonagh responded with 1-1 and only a superb penalty save by Marc Watters prevented another Shandonagh goal. Before the final whistle Dillon Matthews and Dylan Roe added goals before Matthews closed the scoring with another goal following a brilliant solo run from midfield. Apart from those doing the scoring and saving penalties the performances of defenders Conor Fitzpatrick and Marc Eivers were also worthy of note.

Mullingar Shamrocks:  Marc Watters; Peter Bane (Josh Haugh), Conor Fitzpatrick, Cian Fox (Jack Kelly); Cormac Darby, Mark Eivers (0-1), Eoin Kilduff (Peter Bane); Dillon Matthews (2-0) and Luke Carton; Dylan Murphy (2-3), Cormac Hynes (1-1), Adam McCormack (Aidan Duggan 0-1); Matthew Maslin (1-5) [Dylan Roe], James Mahedy (1-1) [Dylan Roe 1-0]; John O’Reilly (Peter Hynes).