St Lomans Mullingar Club Notes 12/08/2024:
Shay Murtagh Senior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 3-10 Caulry 3-06
Last Friday evening our senior men made it three wins from three for this campaign against Caulry. TEG Cusack Park was the venue on a perfect evening for summer football. Ronan O’Toole netted after four minutes after his attempted point was misjudged by the Caulry goalkeeper. Danny McCartan and Senan Baker traded scores for their sides but four consecutive scores for the Saints via O’Toole, Danny McCartan and a John Heslin double gave the Mullingar side breathing space.
Alan Malynn hit back for the south Westmeath side, but Danny McCartan cancelled it out. McCartan was once again on the scoresheet, this time with a goal after spinning his marker, he hit a low accurate shot into the bottom corner to extend the lead. Damien Dolan and Senan Baker hit back for Pat Flanagan’s team to leave Lomans eight points in the clear at the interval.
TJ Cox opened his account early in the second half, as did Tadhg Baker for Caulry. Caulry found the net early in the half after a mistake in the blues’ defence culminated in Alan Malynn netting. Paddy Dowdall’s side responded well, Sam McCartan tore through the Caulry defence and found the net with a powerful low shot. The Blues extended the lead to ten with scores from Heslin and Shane Dempsey and the game looked all but over.
However, after missing several goal chances the saints were once again caught out in defence when a long ball in was scrambled into the net by Senan Baker. Ben Moran pointed after to reduce the deficit to six. David Whelan’s crucial score while at the far end killed the game as a contest. Caulry did however manage to put some gloss on the scoreline when Senan Baker got his second goal, once again capitalising on some sloppy defending. When referee Enda Kelly blew the full-time whistle Lomans ran out four-point victors.
A win is a win, and it should never be taken for granted. On a positive note, Paddy Dowdall’s side tore through Caulry at their ease at times but they were uncharacteristically wasteful at times and left numerous scores behind. Also, the joy Caulry got from direct balls was a cause for concern for the blues. Saying this, the defending champions were the far better team.
In terms of individuals, Rory Sheahan put in a tremendous effort at half-forward and he set the tone for the work-rate of the blues’ forwards. Enda Gaffney and Sam McCartan delivered solid performances at half-back with McCartan’s goal the score of the game. Ronan O’Toole was excellent going forward but also won several turnovers with some brilliant tackling. John Heslin and TJ Cox were both handfuls for Caulry. Man of the match though is Danny McCartan who looked back to his best with 1-03 from play on the night. Next up for Lomans is Coralstown Kinnegad in two weeks’ time.
Team; Jason Daly, Oisín Hogan, Darragh O’Keefe, David Whelan (0.01), Enda Gaffney, Jack Geoghegan, Sam McCartan (1.00), Kevin Regan, John Heslin (0.03, 0.03f), Rory Sheahan, Ronan O’Toole (1.01), Peter Foy, TJ Cox (0.01), Shane Dempsey (0.01), Danny McCartan (1.03). Subs used; Conor O’Donoghue, Nathan Lally.
Village Barn Ladies Senior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 0-10 The Downs 2-12
Last Saturday our senior ladies suffered their first defeat of the season on a scorching Saturday in Kevin Molloy Park. The blues were hopeful of revenge after being dumped out of last year’s championship by The Downs, but it didn’t turn out to be the case. The game began with the sides trading points, with Katie Kilmurray on target for the saints. Francesca Walsh put the hosts in front with a double, before Katie Kilmurray’s second point halved the deficit for the away side. After this though the Black and Amber took control and netted to increase their lead before Walsh pointed again to give the home side a healthy cushion.
There was a brief response from the away side with three on the spin, Katie Kilmurray pointing either side of Caoimhe Kilmurray’s point. All the hard work was undone though with The Downs netting at the far end. The home side tagged two additional points afterwards to further establish their superiority. Caoimhe and Katie Kilmurray narrowed the deficit at the interval to leave five between the sides at the break, which in truth flattered the Mullingar side.
The Downs dominated the third quarter outscoring Lomans five points to one with Vicky Carr getting the solitary score for the visitors. Three additional points further widened the gap before Carr replied with her second score. Both teams traded scores to finish to give the Downs an eight-point victory, which they were full value for.
A day to forget for Ciaran Kilmurray’s side who were second best in all departments. Our ladies found it very difficult to compete with their opponents physically. The middle third was dominated by The Downs with Megan Dowdall, Francesca Walsh and Niamh Rowan running riot at times. On an off day for Lomans, Megan Ennis and Lucy McCartan were two bright sparks for their team. Katie Kilmurray also managed to kick six points, on one of her off days which shows her class.
It must be said though that Lomans plugged away until the very end despite being well-beaten. It's once again, a quick turnaround for the saints who will face County Champions Milltown who will no doubt be hungry for revenge after the league final defeat. The blues will be hoping for a reaction this coming Thursday in Lakepoint Park.
Team; Jane McKenna, Ellen Kilmurray, Muireann Scally, Katie Dunne, Lara McCartan, Megan Ennis, Julie McLaughlin, Vicky Carr (0.02), Annie Kilmurray, Caoimhe Kilmurray (0.02), Katie Kilmurray (0.06, 0.01f), Laura Murphy, Aileen Martin, Shannon Breslin, Lucy McCartan. Subs used; Shauna Traynor, Sandra McGrath, Meabh O’Hara, Paige Matthews, Eve Scally.
Clarkes Bar Junior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-20 Killucan 0-06
Last Sunday morning our junior side continued their perfect start to the championship with an emphatic win over an uncharacteristically poor Killucan side in Home Instead Lakepoint Park. The first the blues destroyed their opponents in all departments, leading 2-12 to a single point at the interval.
Daniel McCann netted in the first minute, followed up with points from Seanaí Bracken, Chris Gilbert, Tadhg Kenny, a Mark Tunney treble and McCann himself saw the blues race into an early lead. Killucan responded with their opening score but a response of points from Gilbert, Tunney, Kenny and a McCann double in between Cillian Plunkett’s goal put Adam Carroll’s men in an unassailable lead.
The second half was a more even affair when the blues ran the changes and slightly took their foot off the pedal, with the saints outscoring the visitors eight points to five. The scores coming courtesy of Gilbert, Bracken, Kenny, Shane Mulderry and doubles from Conor Regan and David Morgan respectively to give the Mullingar men a twenty-point victory. The win confirms their place in the knockout stages with two games to spare.
Such was the gulf between the sides, every single Lomans player impressed in a routine victory. Seanaí Bracken, Tadhg Kenny, Mark Tunney and Daniel McCann were all superb. It’s a mark of success for our academy that all three are still under twenty. You could argue any of them for player of the match, but for quality of scores it’s hard to look past Mark Tunney again who was once again top-class.
Team; Rory Matthews, Riley Sheahan, Sean Kelly, Eoghan O’Keefe, Seanaí Bracken (0.02), Ciaran Smyth, Shane Mulderry (0.01), Ryan Jones, Cillian Plunkett (1.00), Chris Gilbert (0.03, 0.01f), Conor Regan (0.02), Tristan Graham, Mark Tunney (0.04), Tadhg Kenny (0.03), Daniel McCann (1.03, 0.01f). Subs used; David Morgan (0.02), Tom Dorr, Gerry Grehan, Tristan Johnson, Eoghan Kenny.
Junior B championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 1-07 Shandonagh 0-15
St. Lomans made no less than 8 changes from the team that played Milltownpass in the previous round, with players like Finn Sheahan, Adam Brady, Niall Derham, Tom Dorr, Eoghan Kenny, Conor Matthews, Shane Mulderry and Senan Russell, all returning for this 2nd round clash versus Shandonagh. Similar to the Division 4 league, St. Lomans are the sole 3rd side in this competition, therefore constantly encountering opposition that are a mixture of 1st and 2nd sides, however once again these young Blues acquitted themselves very well and can be proud of their performances.
Played in very wet conditions on Shandonaghs beautifully presented new pitch, the game was tit-for-tat over the opening 45 minutes, Lomans actually led by a point entering the final quarter, however it was in the final quarter that Shandonagh edged ahead, and when referee Jim Rock blew the final whistle Shandonagh had deservedly ran out as 5 point winners.
Lomans custodian Finn Sheahan had a solid game. The 2 most experienced players on the pitch ended up marking each other with St. Lomans captain Senan Russell (full back) and Shandonaghs Mickey Boyle (full forward) providing a very entertaining tussle throughout. Former senior player, Seanie Lancaster, is rediscovering his form as each game passes, and another player constantly improving with each game is Conan O’Hara, Conan was excellent in the midfield area and contributed 5 very tasty points in the process.
Adam O’Connor was motoring well until he picked up an injury (just as the 2nd half recommenced) and he was replaced by the very lively Shane Mulderry, Shanes introduction definitely upped the tempo of the game and his superb 2nd half performance was rewarded with 2 beautiful points from play. Ross Clinton raised a green flag for the 2nd game in a row, whilst Eoghan Kenny, Mark O’Gara, Oisin Tyrrell, Tom Dorr, Nathan Sleator and Byron Graham worked tirelessly throughout.
Team; Finn Sheahan, Adam Brady, Senan Russell (c), Mark O’Gara, Oisin Tyrrell, Seanie Lancaster, Tom Dorr, Conan O’Hara (0-5), Adam O’Connor, Nathan Sleator, Eoghan Kenny, Conor Matthews, Byron Graham, Ross Clinton (1-0) & Niall Derham. Sub; Shane Mulderry (0-2).
Fixtures:
Thursday 15th August
Village Barn Ladies Senior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Milltown at 7pm in Home Instead Lakepoint Park
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Monday 5th August
This week’s jackpot: €4,000.00
Numbers drawn: 9,11,16,20
No Jackpot winner
Lucky dip winders (€50 each): Caroline Greville and Tommy Lambden
Next week’s jackpot: €4,100.00
Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 12th August
Remember it could be you!
