Under 13 Division 4 Shield Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-12 Delvin 0-7.

As the underage season draws to a close, the Mullingar Shamrocks’ under 13 white team deservedly ended the playing season with silverware when they beat a gallant Delvin side in the decider in Killucan on Saturday evening last. A comfortable victory on the scoreboard belied the fact of a hugely competitive encounter with Darragh Daly’s late goal putting a gloss on the scoreline. Aided by the elements in the opening half, Shamrocks began with good scores from Shay Leavy, Colm Clinton, Scott Farrelly and Theo Kelly. Delvin responded in impressive fashion before Oliver Keane’s smartly taken goal in the 21st minute ensured a narrow interval lead for the green and whites.

The second half saw tremendous defensive displays from the likes of Carl Keane, Killian Hand, Cian Treanor, MJ Burke, Manus Kelly and Evan Nohilly with the outstanding Tom McCaul (surely born to be a goalkeeper) in goals determined to keep a clean sheet while messrs Leavy, Clinton and Farrelly ensured a share of the midfield spoils and Jamie Timoney, Conor Matthews, Theo Kelly and Sam Phillips helped keep the scoreboard ticking. The opportunism of Darragh Daly was evident in the final quarter with 1-2 from play and there was great delight when Derek Heffernan’s final whistle indicated a Shamrocks’ victory.

It was fitting that Mr. Shamrocks’ Underage, Pat Collins presented the shield to captain Colm Clinton who made an excellent victory acceptance speech. The management of Oisin Masterson, Derek Sheeran, Micheal Burke, Vinny Timoney, Greg Gavin, Emerson Farrelly and Adrian Regan deserve great patience as they’ve nurtured 44 players at under 13 level since January with two competitive teams and every player getting loads of game time.

It was wonderful to see lots of players from the 13s green team in Killucan to support their teammates and a testament to the wonderful team spirit among the group.

The Mullingar Shamrocks squad on duty on Saturday was Tom McCaul, Killian Hand, Carl Keane, Cian Treanor, Alfie Rock, MJ Burke, Manus Kelly, Shay Leavy, Scott Farrelly, Fionn Ledwith, Colm Clinton, Jamie Timoney, Theo Kelly, Oliver Keane, Darragh Daly, Eddie Leavy, Sam Phillips, Ruairi Thornton, Conan Kelly, Evan Nohilly, Padraig Regan, Noah Smyth, Conor Matthews, Shane Bonar, Jamie Murtagh.

Training for this group continues on Tuesday with a trip to the Dome at the Connacht Centre of Excellence planned for midterm break.