LGF Div. 2 Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 3-13 Killucan 2-9
Pride of place this week goes to our senior LGF team for their great victory over Killucan in the League Division 2 final. Lining out without county-tied Karen, Melek and Susanna and the injured Chloe Swarbrigg and Chloe Smullen and the USA-based Anna Jones, the Shamrocks women played superbly and were comfortable winners in what was a fine game of football.
Amelia Shaw had the opening score – a great pointed free – from close to the sideline but Shamrocks responded with a long and patient bout of combination play that ended with Clara Thornton blasting to the net. This was the first of many scores from Clara who had her finest hour in the Mullingar Shamrocks jersey. (And the new set once again sponsored by Specsavers look great). Máiread Newman was forced to leave the field at this stage with a knee injury and was replaced by Laura Whitelaw. Clara added a point after a great pass from Honor MacNamara created the opportunity – this too was the first of many scoring opportunities created by Honor. Cliodhna Spellman, who covered acres of ground from her wing-back position, pointed from long range to establish a five-point lead for Shamrocks. Cailin Raleigh reduced the deficit with a point and two points in quick succession by Rachel Darby and Fiona Leavy reduced the gap to the minimum (1-2 to 0-4). The lethal two, Honor and Clara, pointed to extend the lead before a Killucan penalty converted by Cailin Raleigh brought the teams level. Clara Thornton and Amelia Shaw exchanged points and when Jim Rock blew the whistle for the interval the sides were level at 1-5 each.
Shamrocks were first on the scoreboard when play resumed after Clara Thornton opted not to tap over a routine point but instead engineered a goal and kicked short to Honor MacNamara who shot to the Killucan net. Killucan responded with two points (Amelia Shaw and Cailin Raleigh), Holly McCormack pointed, Clara Thornton added two more points with a free and a volleyed effort off the ground that skimmed the crossbar; Killucan kept in touch with a pointed free from Cailin Raleigh and missed a great goal scoring opportunity when Aoife Boyle smashed a shot off the crossbar. However, Killucan weren’t to be denied and Cailin Raleigh gathered close to the sideline and soloed through and finished in style to level matters once again (2-8 each). Annmarie O’Reilly was injured in this play and was replaced by the recovered Máiread Newman.
Shamrocks finished very strongly and outscored Killucan 1-5 to 0-1 in the last quarter. The scoring began when Clara Thornton outjumped the Killucan goalkeeper to punch a Mia Gilligan delivery to the net; Clara pointed three more times to bring her match tally to 2-7, Honor added another point and Cliona Spellman attacked from the back one more time and completed the Shamrocks scoring total for the day with her second point. Cailin Raleigh reduced the deficit, but it was too little too late as Shamrocks closed out the game for a 3-13 to 2-9 victory and Tara Fagan was the one collecting the cup from Ted Cronin.
It was a great team victory aided by some excellent individual displays. Well done to all especially to the team management of Carole Finch (manager), Spike Fagan, Lisa Burke and Ned Moore, all adding another chapter to what are extraordinary careers of commitment and dedication to Mullingar Shamrocks. We are lucky to have such members in the club.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Lauren McCormack; Sophie Hegarty, Niamh Spellman, Annemarie O’Reilly (Máiread Newman); Shona McNicholas, Tara Fagan Cliona Spellman (0-2); Caoimhe Gaffney, Mairead Newman (Laura Whitelaw); Clara Thornton (2-7), Michaela O’Connor, Emma Morris; Holly McCormack (0-2), Honor MacNamara (1—2), Mia Gilligan (Jasmin Haugh).
