Minor Div. 1 League Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-13 Tubberclare 2-6.
An eventful Saturday afternoon in Springfield as Mullingar Shamrocks collected a second league title in four days with a deserved victory over Tubberclare. We are finding our feet again. The foundation of the victory was laid down in the opening quarter (just as Tubberclare did last year in the county minor semi-final) as Shamrocks established an 0-6 to 0-1 lead. In these opening minutes Paul Keating retired injured and was replaced by Alex Sheerin. Ben McNamee opened the scoring with a fine point and Gavin Pearse doubled the lead when he collected the rebound from a Ryan Kelly shot that smashed off the crossbar. The restart was collected by Conor Heffernan who pointed. Ryan Kelly added another point and Ben McNamee added another spectacular score to his opening effort. Paul Keegan pointed for Tubberclare; Conor Heffernan responded with two great points from close to the end line – two of the scores of the day, one a replica of the other. Two crucial scores followed as Ryan Kelly, Gavin Pearse and Callum Rigney Clyne combined to send Criostóir Ormsby through on goal and the big midfielder made no mistake and netted for Shamrocks opening goal. Donnacha Maguire’s interception was crucial in beginning the move. Minutes later a superb Gavin Pearse (lucky to escape a red card in the early stages) pass set up Donnacha Maguire who finished in style for a great second goal. Ben McNamee pointed for the third time, Gavin Pearse pointed a free and from the restart Alex Sheerin gained possession, passed to Ryan Kelly whose shot again smashed off the crossbar. At the other end a quickly taken free was superbly saved by James Flynn on the Shamrocks goal-line, one of several great pieces of play by the corner back who was one of the stars of the day. Tom Bourke pointed twice for Tubberclare who trailed by 2-9 to 0-3 at the interval.
A superb cross-field pass by Ryan Kelly to Callum Rigney Clyne sent the speedy wing forward free for Shamrocks’ opening second half point after Luke Raeside made a great turnover. Paul Keegan pointed for Tubberclare, Alex Sheerin and Donnacha Maguire did likewise for Shamrocks and extended the lead thirteen points (2-12 to 0-4). Twenty scoreless Shamrocks minutes were to follow. Tom Bourke pointed a free as a bit of complacency and sloppiness became apparent in Shamrocks play that made for an interesting and slightly nervous final few minutes. Gary Brannigan was black carded, Tom Bourke converted a penalty and added another point from a free. A tackle by Callum Rigney Clyne led to a second penalty and a black card for Callum that reduced Shamrocks to thirteen players. This time Tom Bourke’s penalty was well saved by Adam Buckley but the midfielder was quickest to react and netted from the rebound to reduce the deficit to six points (2-12 to 2-6). A big catch from Criostóir from the restart settled the nerves and began an attack that ended with a Pádraig Casey point which was followed by the final whistle.
A great victory and a welcome Div.1 minor title; no doubt we will meet Tubberclare again in the championship when this result will be of little relevance. Shamrocks impressed with their work- rate and combination play. The manner in which the players and pushed up and refused to concede the restarts was important and impressive.
Well done to the management team of Tom Ormsby, Derek Sheridan and Paul Chrisite.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; James Flynn, Tye Masterson, Adam Glynn; Ben McNamee (0-3), Peter Finch, Luke Raeside (Gary Brannigan); Criostóir Ormsby (1-0), Donnacha Maguire (1-1); Paul Keating (Alex Sheerin,0-1)(Ben Sheerin), Conor Heffernan (0-3); Paul Keating, Callum Rigney Clyne (0-1); Gavin Pearse (0-2), [Padraig Casey, 0-1], Ryan Kelly (0-1), Ameen Hacini.
