Minor Football Championship: Mullingar Shamrocks 0-11 Moate All Whites 2-5.

Shamrocks played their opening round of the Minor football championship on Monday evening in Springfield against a physically strong Moate All Whites side and after a rousing contest both sides had reasons to be satisfied with a share of the spoils.
The weather conditions on the evening made life difficult for the players and to their credit both teams served up an intense championship encounter played in fine spirit and admirably controlled by referee Jim Rock.

The visitors began in impressive fashion aided by a fresh breeze and helped by two opportunistic goals Moate established a seven point lead. Their physical strength was a factor in their dominance but a brave Shamrocks’ crew gradually grew into the game. Ty Masterson, Luke Raeside, Ben McNamee, Paul Keating and James Flynn were prominent in the second quarter as chances were created and missed with the visitors leading by six at the break.

The moving quarter as the Australian Rules label it proved decisive with the home team continuing to fight back. Gavin Pierce, Ben McNamee and Ryan Kelly kicked fine scores and by the 50th minute the sides were level. Mohammed’s introduction in defence and tigerish play by Adam Glynn, Ben Sheerin and Peter Finch contributed to an upturn in Shamrocks’ fortunes.

A heavy rain shower made handling difficult in the closing stages and the lead changed hands on a couple of occasions before Jim Rock’s final whistle signalled a draw.

The Shamrocks’ squad was: Matas Puida, Adam Buckley, Adam Glynn, Gary Brannigan, Paul Keating, Ben McNamee, James Flynn, Luke Raeside, John Shaw, Alex Sheerin, Conor Heffernan, Ben Sheerin, Ty Masterson, Ryan Kelly, Padraig Casey, Ronan Byrne, Gavin Pierce, Matthew Shaw, Hugh O’ Sullivan Sexton, Mohammed, Jack Toal, Criostoir Ormsby, Charlie Foy, Tommy Daly, Andrew Gavigan, Peter Finch.