Under 15 Football, Semi-final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-11 Garrycastle 2-11.

The weather conditions may have ranged between difficult and abysmal but Shamrocks and Garrycastle served up an enthralling under 15 div 1 semi-final in Springfield on Sunday afternoon with extra time failing to separate two committed and able sides. Both sides will feel they had opportunities to claim a place in the decider but ultimately the general feeling is that a draw was the fairest result with neither side deserving to exit the championship. Referee Pat McGauran played his part too in the conditions and his officiating should be commended. Shamrocks began well with Rory McCaul’s early stunning goal establishing a lead which was held until half time albeit narrowly. Andrew Henson, Darragh Glennon, Niadh Shine, Jim McHugh and Conor McCormack ensured a typical Garrycastle response and Shamrocks were indebted to Padraig Casey’s accuracy and defensive heroics by James Ryan and Paul Keating to narrowly lead at the break. Two early scores restored the home team’s advantage, but Garrycastle struck for two quick fire goals to turn the match around. The home team’s response was impressive with Ronan Byrne kicking two super scores from wing back before Paul Keating levelled matters. The game ebbed and flowed in the closing quarter but Shamrocks’ indiscipline was punished in the closing stages to allow Garrycastle notch equalising scores on two occasions. Extra time saw tired bodies make mistakes but the efforts never flagged and Garrycastle’s two point lead after 76 mins looked sufficient. The men in green and white responded with a flowing team movement culminating in Criostóir Ormsby’s cool finish for a goal that edged Shamrocks into a one point lead. Garrycastle were not to be denied a second opportunity with a late free ensuring two fine sides must meet again.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley, Ben Sheerin, Tommy Idowu, James Ryan, Paul Keating, Ronan Byrne, Zac Coyne, Ty Masterson, Criostóir Ormsby, Aindreis Opala, Ted Aherne, Tommy Daly, Padraig Casey, Rory McCaul, Charlie Foy, James Davitt, Brian Wycherly, Andrew Gavigan, Jack Toal, Ruairi Kilmartin and Liam Heffernan.