Westmeath Under-14 LGF E final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-2 Athlone 7-12

In difficult windy conditions, in Rochfortbridge, Athlone’s first team were far too strong for Mullingar Shamrocks II in this E county final. Shamrocks enjoyed the benefit of a strong wind in the first half but it was Athlone who broke through for the early scores with Ciara White scoring 1-1. The excellent Caoimhe Farrell pointed a free for Shamrocks but Katie Gibbons tagged on another 1-1 for Athlone. A Katie Matthews goal revived the confidence of the Shamrocks girls and as the weather deteriorated and the rain came down, Shamrocks play improved and inspired by the excellence of Aya Hacini and Caoimhe Farrell, the girls dominated the second quarter. A Caoimhe Farrell point brought Shamrocks closer and at half-time the score board read 2-4 to 1-2 in favour of Athlone.

Two goals by Lucy Allen and Sally Fleming in as many minutes at the start of the second half virtually secured the title for Athlone. Katie Matthews’s second goal was immediately answered by a similar score from Athlone’s Sally Fleming and at the final whistle Athlone were comfortable winners.

A heavy defeat but the girls never stopped trying and several of the players had the opportunity of playing in a county final. The Under-14 group have made excellent progress since the start of the year and the mentors Seamus Kiernan, Aimee Ford, Keith Matthews, and Karen Magee are to be complimented for their work with the group.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Emily Ford; Aoife Murphy, Sarah Ford, Anna Clarke; Grace Hanly, Ellie O’Donnell, Abi Healy; Aya Haccini, Caoimhe Farrell; Katie Matthews (2-0), Aleyna O’Reilly, Keighlyn Rooney, Layla Dowd, Emily O’Reilly, Hannah Evans. Tess Foy, Alannah Burke, Orla Nohilly, Moya Kilmartin, Grainne Heap, Saoirse Clinton, Suzi Corroon, Tini Dinnegan, Chelsea Dinnegan, Casey Farrell.