Shamrocks early blitz too much for wasteful Tubberclair side
In a warm and sunny Springfield on Saturday afternoon last, Mullingar Shamrocks claimed the U17 football (minor) Division 1 title on home soil for the first time in a long time and did so in some style if the truth be known.
This game was really won and lost in the opening half with Shamrocks leading by 2-9 to 0-3 and that after missing several clear goal chances. Despite a defiant and whole hearted second half from Tubberclair, Mullingar Shamrocks never really looked like overhauling that substantial deficit.
The two best teams in the league phase did serve up a very entertaining game and defending champions Tubberclair did not go down without a fight but Shamrocks simply had too much fire power on the day and with Championship looming this promises to be a rivalry to keep an eye on.
From the throw-in Shamrocks showed intent and although they wasted quite an amount of clean possession they had five points on the board in the opening quarter, with Gavin Pierce, Conor Heffernan, Ryan Kelly and two superb strikes from wing back Ben McNamee. Furthermore, Kelly was unlucky to see his effort come back off the crossbar.
Tubberclair settled and Paul Keegan and Thomas Bourke with points got them up and running, but it was mere respite as Heffernan pointed superbly and then finished a filed long move with a second on the bounce before Criostoir Ormsby put clear daylight between the sides with an excellent team goal. McNamee popped up for his third of the half before Donnacha Maguire added a second goal from a brilliant move that carved Tubberclair apart.
Pierce added a free before Bourke pulled one back with a free for Tubberclair and Shamrocks led handsomely by 12 points at the short whistle.
The second half took its time to catch fire and Tubberclair hit some bad wides before Callum Rigney Clyne extended the Shamrocks lead with a marvellous solo effort. The impressive Keegan pulled one back for the Shannonsiders before Alex Sheerin and Bourke exchanged frees, but when Donnacha Maguire put Shamrocks 13 to the good with a wonderful point this game looked completely done.
Tubberclair showed the champions they are, though and fought back manfully with Bourke converting two penalties which also saw black cards for Shamrocks, seeing them end with 13. The visitors then added another free continued to give their all right to the final whistle. Indeed, they had other chances to narrow the gap further, but Shamrocks substitute Padraig Casey settled the nerves with a fisted point that proved the last score of a thoroughly entertaining game, played with passion and skill and very easy on the eye.
Afterwards Westmeath Coiste na nÓg Chairman Barry Kelly presented the shield to joint Captains Ryan Kelly and Callum Rigney Clyne.
Scorers - Mullingar Shamrocks: Donnacha Maguire 1-1, Ben McNamee and Conor Heffernan 0-3 each, Gavin Pierce 0-2 (1 free), Callum Rigney Clyne, Ryan Kelly, Alex Sheerin (free) and Padraig Casey 0-1 each.
Tubberclair: Thomas Bourke 2-4 (3 frees), Paul Keegan 0-2.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley, James Flynn, Tye Masterson, Adam Glynn, Ben McNamee, Peter Finch, Luke Raeside, Criostoir Ormsby, Donnacha Maguire, Paul Keating, Conor Heffernan, Callum Rigney Clyne, Gavin Pierce, Ryan Kelly, Ameen Hacini. Subs: Alex Sheerin for Keating (8 mins), Gary Brannigan for Raeside (44 mins), Ben Sheerin for Alex Sheerin (49 min), Padraig Casey for Pierce (54 mins).
Tubberclair: Louis Clayburn, Daire Burke, Liam Staunton, Caimin Dolan, Jack O’Donnell, Matthew Lynch, Stephen O’Connor, Thomas Bourke, Daire O’Connor, Tommy Farrell, Paul Keegan, Keelan Connor, Ruairí Dolan, James Connaughton, Sean O’Neill. Subs: Sean Keegan for O’Connor (13 mins), O’Connor for Lynch (19 mins), Sean Keegan for O’Donnell and Sean Gethins for Connaughton (38 mins), Connaughton for Staunton (58 mins).
Referee: Shane Maher (Ballynacargy).