ACL Div. 3: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-13 Kilbeggan Shamrocks 1-11.
The Mullingar version of Shamrocks triumphed in this ACL Div. 3 match played in Springfield on Tuesday evening. Shamrocks playing excellent football and helped by a significant wind advantage raced into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes or so. Emmet Walsh began the scoring and Trevor Keena added two fine points, the second courtesy of a great block by Shane Ormsby who gathered the ball and then delivered a great pass to Trevor who pointed. Niall Hardiman soloed from his own half-back line and pointed, John O’Reilly found the target from a distance and Conor O’Brien added the sixth point. The defensive wheels then came off the wagon somewhat as David Fennell pointed and Paul Fennell was gifted a goal. Only great defensive work by Pearse Corroon prevented a second Kilbeggan Shamrocks goal. Padraig Carton pointed a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum (0-6 to 1-2). Trevor Keena and Carton exchanged points from frees. Shane Ormsby and Trevor Keena added points to the total as a Kilbeggan effort for a point was waved wide by the referee with halftime approaching. If the scoreboard was in operation it would have read 0-9 to 1-3 in favour of Mullingar Shamrocks.
Remember that scene in the movie Forrest Gump as Forrest sits on the park bench eating his box of chocolates as he awaits a bus and delivers a piece of homespun philosophy: “Life is like a box of chocolates, You never know what you’re gonna get”. Halftime scores are sometimes like the Gumpian box of chocolates as the only score that matters is in the referee’s notebook and on this occasion the referee’s little book contained a surprise as it read 0-8 to 1-5.
These things happen, and it’s only a game of football. In the first half Alan Fennell landed awkwardly and was removed to hospital by ambulance after the match. We understand that Alan's injury is not as serious as feared and we wish Alan a speedy recovery.
We resumed with the adjusted score without anybody getting too excited and Mullingar Shamrocks responded positively to the interval setback. Emmet Walsh pointed as Kilbeggan added a matching score. A great run by Conor O’Brien released Trevor Keena who blasted to the net for a brilliant score. Trevor and Michael Joyce exchanged pointed frees before an ankle injury forced Trevor to retire (1-10 to 1-7). A Padraig Carton pointed free reduced the deficit but Gary Corroon, who replaced Trevor Keena, kicked a similar score for Mullingar Shamrocks. A great run by James Larkin released John O’Reilly who finished well to extend the Mullingar lead to 0-4 (1-12 to 1-8) as the home side were reduced to fourteen. Kilbeggan weren’t finished and pointed frees from Carton and Michael Joyce and one from play by Paul Fennell reduced the deficit to the minimum. Veteran Gary Corroon had the final say as he accepted responsibility and converted a difficult free just before the final whistle to secure the 1-13 to 1-11 victory and preserve the unbeaten record of Mullingar Shamrocks in Division 3 of the ACL. This record will be on the line on Thursday night when Mullingar Shamrocks travel to Castletown Geoghegan to play St Malachy’s. Throw in is at 7.00 pm.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Mikey Curley; Eamonn Breslin, Aaron Purcell, Pearse Corroon: John O’Reilly (0-2), Brendan O’Reilly, Niall Hardiman (0-1) [Conor McEntee]; Shane Ormsby (0-1), Zach Aherne; James Larkin [Adam Boyle], Conor O’Brien (0-1), Emmet Walsh (0-2); Andrew Shaw [Davy Culkin], Trevor Keena (1-5) [Gary Corroon, 0-2], Nathan Cornally [Luke McCabe].
