LGF Division 1: Mullingar Shamrocks 3-9 The Downs 2-11

Mullingar Shamrocks Ladies made it 2 from 2 this weekend with a 1 point win over The Downs in Springfield on Sunday evening. The girls’ second match of the weekend was played in better conditions than their Division 3 clash on Friday night however pitch conditions remained difficult following Saturday’s rain. Mullingar Shamrocks were slow to settle allowing The Downs build a strong early lead of 1-3 to 0-0. This left Shamrocks chasing the game from early on however the girls stuck with the game plan and got themselves into the match, opening their account with a free from Anna Jones. Anna followed with two further points from frees before scoring a trademark goal. The Downs scored 3 more points in the first half, 2 from frees and 1 from play to leave Shamrocks trailing by 3 points at half time, 1-6 to 1-3.

The second half opened with both sides exchanging points, Anna Jones scoring a further free followed by Karen Hegarty marked her return from injury with a point from play. Shamrocks chances of taking the points however looked unlikely when The Downs scored a second goal following a rebound from the upright. Shamrocks were unlucky to be 7 points down at 24 minutes but continued to press forward and their efforts were rewarded when Roisin O’Toole struck for a goal. Shamrocks were dominating play, launching attack after attack on The Downs but The Downs defence held firm and this resulted in further missed scoring chances. However Shamrocks, sensing that they would get the chance pushed hard on The Downs kickouts to regain possession. Their efforts were rewarded by a point from a free to narrow the deficit to two and then in the last minute, a goal again from the boot of the magisterial Anna Jones secured the lead for the first time in the match. Shamrocks won possession from the kickout and when referee Paul McAughey blew the final whistle, Shamrocks were winners by aone point margin, 3-9 to 2-11.

This was a hard fought win by Shamrocks, with some of the panel getting their second victory of the weekend. Mullingar Shamrocks wishes a speedy recovery to Clara Thornton who suffered an injury early in the match, we hope to have Clara back in action soon.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Lauren McCormack, Melek Fagan, Siobhan O’ Donnell, Sinead Sweeney, Annemarie O’ Reilly, Tara Fagan, Susanna Buckley, Laura Whitelaw, Máiread Newman, Michaela O’ Connor, Anna Jones, (2-8), Clara Thornton (injured)(Jasmine Haugh)(Mia Gilligan), Chloe Smullen, Roisin O’Toole (1-0), Karen Hegarty (0-1).