Tubberclair claim U20 crown as good times keep rolling

Tubberclair 1-15, Mullingar Shamrocks 3-5

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Tubberclair had the edge on their Mullingar Shamrocks counterparts throughout this final and deservedly won the Westmeath U20 Division 1 football title at Hogan Park, Moate last Saturday.

These two teams are getting used to each other. They clashed in the minor (U17) final in 2023 and Mullingar came out on top after a replay. Tubberclair averaged that result last year, beating Shamrocks in the minor decider (when the competition returned to U18).

Now it was the turn of the U20 grade to bring the sides head to head again. Judging by this game, it’s Tubberclair who have progressed the most and many of their team are underage again next year.

Tubberclair overcame local rivals Caulry while Shamrocks defeated Coralstown/Kinnegad in the semi-finals played in early September, but the two teams had to wait quite a while for the final due to various reasons.

Managed by Cathal Tighe and Kevin Connaughton, with senior player Eoghan McCabe also assisting in the background, Tubberclair had a number of players who played instrumental roles in their adult side winning this year’s intermediate championship. That experience was obvious in this game. Tubberclair looked the better side from an early stage and the future for football looks bright around the Glasson and Ballykeeran area.

Tubberclair had the wind at their backs in the first half and they started brightly, with Tom Bourke displaying his undoubted talent. During the first half, Bourke kicked a brace of excellent two-pointers, the first with his right foot and the second with his left foot. Bourke’s ability to sell dummies and sidesteps to create space to shoot is uncanny.

A crucial score came in the 12th minute when Tubberclair's Finn Duffy scored a goal after a pass inside by Taylor Slevin. They had played refreshingly direct football, kicking the ball inside and although the Mullingar defenders did well in the early minutes, it was a matter of time before the pressure paid off.

Duffy’s goal helped his side to gain control and with Daire O’Connor also on the scoresheet early on, Tubberclair led 1-5 to 0-0 in the 15th minute.

Then Mullingar scored a goal against the run of play. Alex Sheerin was the scorer, when he shot from distance and the ball ended up in the Tubberclair net. Tubberclair 'keeper Peter Bourke may have been unsighted by players in his view of the ball.

Tubberclair could have laid the platform for a comfortable win when Seán Whittaker twice put Kealan Connell through on goal, but both of the former Marist College student’s attempts were saved by Shamrocks 'keeper Eoin Doran. These were opportunities for Tubberclair to really move into the ascendancy.

Managed by Tom Ormsby, a former midfield star for club and county, Shamrocks then struck again. This time it was Callum Rigney who shot from distance and the ball again ended up in the net. Totally against the run of play, the Mullingar side was right back in the game.

Tom Bourke produced more magic, a solo dummy and a swerve back on to his weaker left foot, it made no difference, the Westmeath U20 player bisected the posts from outside the arc for another two-pointer. Those two pointers were crucial for Tubberclair in response to Mullingar’s goals. At half-time, Tubberclair led 1-9 to 2-3.

After the resumption, Mullingar had the elements in their favour, but Tubberclair had the bit between their teeth and they were in no mood to let go of their dominance. With early second half scores from Slevin and Duffy, they stamped their authority on proceedings, leading 1-11 to 2-3.

Mullingar then scored their third goal. Sheerin was the scorer again with the assist coming from half-time substitute Killian Mooney. Donnacha Maguire then added a score and Mullingar were right in contention again.

Yet Tubberclair weren’t rattled by any of Mullingar’s goals. Taking huge confidence from their intermediate championship win, their key players stepped up. Slevin, Bourke, Connell and Duffy all grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and three scores without response laid the platform for the win.

Firstly, defender Peadar Dolan hit a point that could have just as easily gone under the crossbar. Then two excellent frees from out on the right by left-footer Duffy had Tubberclair leading 1-14 to 3-4, with the clock going red.

Tubberclair finished strongly with defender Conor Reid reacting quickest to gain possession before popping the ball over the bar to the delight of their supporters as the club claimed another trophy for 2025.

This was probably Tubberclair’s most convincing win against Mullingar Shamrocks in any of their clashes over the last few years. Tubberclair’s confidence will grow even more from this win and a good run in the Leinster intermediate campaign (they face St Martin’s of Wexford on Saturday) will give the club a huge boost for the big step up to senior football next year.

As for Shamrocks, this group of players will have better days in the future. On the day they were somewhat fortunate to be in this game going into the fourth quarter as three goals against the run of play kept them in the contest.

Player of the match: Tom Bourke (Tubberclair). Bourke gave an exhibition, kicking scores from various distances and angles, catching kickouts and assisting in setting up scoring chances. It was Bourke who set out Tubberclair’s intent from early with early scores and, in truth, the South Westmeath side didn’t look back after that early start. Conor Reid, Peadar Dolan, Taylor Slevin, Kealan Connell, Daire O’Connor and Finn Duffy all contributed hugely. For Mullingar Shamrocks, Ben Sheerin, Alex Sheerin, Callum Rigney, Shane Ormsby, Donnacha Maguire and Criostóir Ormsby were best.

Scorers – Tubberclair: F Duffy 1-4 (0-2f); T Bourke 0-5 (2tp); D O’Connor 0-2; R Dolan, P Dolan, T Slevin and C Reid 0-1 each. Mullingar Shamrocks: A Sheerin 2-1; C Rigney 1-1; M Shaw, P Finch and D Maguire 0-1 each.

Tubberclair - Peter Bourke; Kyle Fagan, Liam Staunton, James Clarke; Conor Reid, Peadar Dolan, Kailin Blessing; Tom Bourke, Taylor Slevin; Paul Keegan, Kealan Connell, Ruairi Dolan; Finn Duffy, Daire O’Connor, Seán Whittaker. Subs used: Cian Kenny for Blessing (injured, 7 mins); Danny Reid for R Dolan.

Mullingar Shamrocks - Eoin Doran; Peter Finch, Adam Glynn, Ben Sheerin; Shane Ormsby, Tadhg Sheridan, Dylan Carey; Criostóir Ormsby, Ty Masterson; Rory McCaul, Donnacha Maguire, Gavin Pierce; Alex Sheerin, Matthew Shaw, Callum Rigney. Subs used: Luke McCabe for Shaw (half-time), Killian Mooney for Carey (h-t), Ben McNamee for McCabe (47), Nathan Cornally for S Ormsby.

Referee - Niall Ward (Garrycastle).