LGF Div.1 Garrycastle 3-13 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-8.

An understrength Mullingar Shamrocks went under to a superior Garrycastle team in Garrycastle on Sunday evening. Wind advantage had a significant impact on the outcome as Garrycastle made maximum use of the favorable elements and carved out a 2-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

Back in 2011 Lauralee Walsh and Karen Hegarty were centrally involved when Westmeath won the All-Ireland Intermediate title for the first time and added a LGF NFL title to the mix for good measure. Thirteen football seasons later Lauralee and Karen were the key players in Garrycastle. Rugby 7s international Walsh was outstanding and had the ball in the Shamrocks net seconds after the start and added a second goal later in the half. Karen Hegarty led the Shamrocks resistance and was centrally involved in the Shamrocks scoring escapades. Holly McCormack opened Shamrocks scoring with a fine point, Karen added a second and then combined with Jasmine Haugh to create an opportunity finished by Laura Whitelaw. Jenna Ryan’s great solo run set up Jasmine who completed Shamrocks’ first half scoring.

Kacey Mulvihill’s second half goal ended hopes of a Shamrocks victory but a lot of good football was played in difficult conditions. The many times fouled Karen Hegarty with four second half points ensured the scoreboard was respectable. Apart from Karen’s excellence there was a lot to admire about the Shamrocks performance with fine displays by the younger players such as Jasmine Haugh, Chloe Smullen, Jenna Kelly, Jodi Aherne, Mia Gilligan, Sinead Sweeny and Annemarie O’Reilly who were well supported by the more experienced players especially the hard working Laura Whitelaw, Michaela O’Connor, Holly McCormack and Siobhan O’Donnell.