Shamrocks too strong for Athlone in Feis Cup decider

Mullingar Shamrocks capped a remarkable season off with Feis Cup success, after they handsomely defeated struggling Athlone by 11 points in Springfield on Sunday last. The southerners were competitive for much of the contest, but Shamrocks ran out deserved winners, never letting their opponents trouble their dominant position. Lorcan Smyth scored an impressive nine points, while Eoin Kelly also impressed with four, as Shamrocks captured more silverware to further exorcise the pain of their senior football final defeat to Garrycastle (after a replay) in October. On a cold and wet afternoon, Lorcan Smyth got Shamrocks off the mark with a well taken point, before Paddy Joyce set up Seanie Daly to put Mullingar two ahead. Athlone responded through Dermot McManus, after he went on a determined run and fired over the bar. Seanie Daly started the match brightly, and he continued to shine by completing a good Mullingar move that featured Smyth and Gary Corroon. Shamrocks continued to enjoy a lot of possession and when Darragh Daly was fouled, Gary Corroon converted a free to put the hosts three ahead. Athlone nearly snatched a goal when Paul Bannon put John Stapleton on a great run down the endline, but he fired straight at Mullingar keeper Gary Burke. Shamrocks rallied and got themselves a point from the boot of Lorcan Smyth, after he cut in from the right hand side. The same man was at the nucleus of the Mullingar attack minutes later, hitting a great minor from about 40 yards out. Athlone fought back through a Paul Bannon free, and he took matters into his own hands shortly after, producing a great run before setting up Eoin Maher for a much needed Athlone goal. Shamrocks responded well, when Anthony Clinton found Lorcan Smyth, who gained half a yard from his marker before knocking the ball over for his fourth point. Smyth didn't have to wait long for his next score when he converted a free after Sean Daly was fouled. Daly got in on the act again just before half-time with a powerful point from distance, as Shamrocks refused to let the Athlone goal affect them. Shamrocks enjoyed a five-point advantage, and Lorcan Smyth resumed business as usual after the break, when he scored a point after latching on to a high ball from Ciaran Curley. Athlone got back on track when veteran Joe Fallon dispatched a free over the bar with ten minutes elapsed in the second half. Mullingar enjoyed the majority of possession once again, and midfielder Darragh Daly opened his account for the day with a good score from thirty yards. It was now mostly one-way traffic in Springfield, and Lorcan Smyth again popped up to knock over a free to give Shamrocks a six point lead. Athlone continued to battle bravely, and Fallon converted a free to keep them in the contest. But Shamrocks continued to excel, with Gary Corroon pointing a free after Kieran Gavin was fouled. Athlone needed scores to keep their hopes alive, and Aidan St John duly raised a flag, after an assist by Damien Kelly. Mullingar fired back when Corroon set up the excellent Seanie Daly, who in turn got his fourth score of the day. Everything Lorcan Smyth touched seemed to turn to gold, and he scored yet another great point from a sideline free to increase Shamrocks' lead to seven. The game ran away from Athlone, and their fate was sealed when David Miller was fouled in the box late on. Substitute Tony Dunne stood up and slotted a superb penalty past Darren Costello to drive the final nail home. The last word was, appropriately, had by Lorcan Smyth, who scored his ninth point of the contest after some good play by Eddie Moore. Scorers Mullingar Shamrocks: L Smyth 0-9, S Daly 0-4, G Corroon 0-2, T Dunne 1-0 and D Daly 0-1. Athlone: E Maher 1-0, J Fallon 0-2, D McManus, P Bannon and A St John 0-1 each. Mullingar Shamrocks: Gary Burke; Davy Gavin, Eddie Moore, David Miller; Micheál Curley, Kieran Gavin, Aonghus Smith; Darragh Daly, Donal O'Donughue; Seanie Daly, Paddy Joyce, Anthony Clinton; Ciarán Curley, Lorcan Smyth, Gary Corroon. Subs: Conor Twomey for A Smith (45), Tony Dunne for Corroon (45), Dylan McDermott for C Curley (52), Ciaran Glennon for Joyce (52). Athlone: Darren Costello; Dermot Piggott, Paul McEnroe, Fergal Murray; Andy Lynam, Damien Kelly, David Fagan; Aidan St John, Paul Bannon; John Egan, John Stapleton, Eoin Maher; Joe Fallon, Dermot McManus, Danny Lynam. Subs: Brendan Bannon for Lynam (42), Glen Costello for McEnroe (50). Referee: Sean Sheridan (Tyrrellspass).