St Lomans Mullingar Club Notes 09/09/2024:
Shay Murtagh Senior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-19 Tyrrellspass 1-18
Last Saturday evening in a sunny Molloy Park, St Lomans Mullingar signed off the group stage with a win over Tyrrellspass. The teams are no strangers to each other having contested four of the last eleven county finals. The game itself was a very open affair, particularly in the first half. Tyrrellspass had the greater incentive for victory as they were aiming for direct passage to the semi- final. St Lomans were already confirmed as group-winners coming in but were keen to keep the winning feeling going, especially just three weeks out from a semi-final.
The Pass started strongly with three points in the first two minutes courtesy of Peter Clarke, Dean McNicholas and David Lynam. The Blues came back strongly though with five points on the bounce via Ronan O’Toole, Shane Dempsey, Sam McCartan and a double from Danny McCartan. Jamie Gonoud briefly reduced the deficit, but the saints responded emphatically. A brilliant direct pass from Jack Geoghegan found Fola Ayorinde one on one inside and the latter claimed brilliantly before firing into the net. Sam McCartan doubled his tally with a well-taken score. The sides then went on to trade three scores each with Shane Dempsey extending his total with three excellent scores.
The last five minutes of the half were catastrophic as far as the Mullingar side were concerned. Firstly, Tyrrelsspass were gifted two points after the blues’ defence lost concertation, then moments later Tyrrelsspass played the ball down the field and with no pressure on the ball, Peter Clarke waltzed through the middle of the defence and fired into the net giving Jason Daly no chance. Adam Flanagan then pointed from distance to put the underdogs a point up at the interval, remarkably considering Lomans were well on top for much of the half.
The second half saw a concerted effort from Paddy Dowdall’s men to address how open they were in the first half, and it certainly paid dividends in the second half. Dempsey and O’Toole struck early to regain the lead. The sides then exchanged points again with Dempsey and Danny McCartan on the scoresheet for the county champions. The defining moment came mid-way through the half when a great team move culminated in Danny McCartan finding Sean Flanagan and the latter managed to score the third goal of the game and gave his team some breathing space. Interestingly this was Flanagan’s fourth championship goal against Tyrrellspass, along with several league goals against the same opposition.
The sides continued trading scores with Dempsey at the double. Lomans were reduced to fourteen players for the last ten minutes after an extremely harsh second yellow was shown. However, the saints managed the game well late on and kept chipping away with scores and managed to match their opponents score for score for the rest of the game. Danny McCartan, Ronan O’Toole, Shane Dempsey and Substitute Peter Foy were the sources of the final scores to see the county champions run out four-point winners.
All in all, a good performance from the Mullingar side who were good value for their win. At times they cut through their opponents at their ease but there will be cause for concern regarding that five-minute spell before half-time, losing a six-point lead in such a short period of time. However, the second half they were much more solid and gave up far less opportunities. As well as that, the game was managed exceptionally well in the final ten minutes with fourteen men. Not to mention, Tyrrellpass are a good side, and the saints were short a couple of key men.
In terms of individual performances, Sam McCartan and Conor O’Donoghue performed well at different times. However, it was the forwards where the game was won. Ronan O’Toole was excellent throughout and chipped in with three points himself, as well as being creator in chief. Danny McCartan kicked four points and at crucial stages of the match. Overall, it’s very difficult to argue against Shane Dempsey who kicked nine points on the day and caused the Tyrrellspass several issues. Well done to Paddy Dowdall’s side, next up for Lomans is the winners of Mullingar Shamrocks and Tyrrellspass in three weeks’ time.
Team; Jason Daly, Eoghan Hogan, Darragh O’Keefe, Nathan Lally, Conor O’Donoghue, David Whelan, Sam McCartan (0.02), Jack Geoghegan, Sean Flanagan (1.00), Rory Sheahan, Ronan O’Toole (0.03), Kevin Regan, Danny McCartan (0.04), Fola Ayorinde (1.00), Shane Dempsey (0.09, 0.06f). Subs used; Peter Foy (0.01), Oisín Hogan, Enda Gaffney.
Village Barn Ladies Senior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 1-14 Killucan 0-06
Last Thursday evening our senior ladies travelled to Killucan under lights as the autumn weather began to close in. The blues started well and kicked the first four points with Katie Kilmurray, Laura Murphy, Vicky Carr and Ciara Blundell all pointing. Meabh Monaghan responded for the hosts, but her score was quickly cancelled out by Katie Kilmurray’s second point. Monaghan was back on target for the home side and her score was quickly followed up with a point from Ellen Shaw to reduce the deficit to five points. Vicky Carr responded for the visitors, as well as Katie Kilmurray’s double increasing the lead. Monaghan had the last word of the half making it double points at the interval (eight points to four).
The second half was one way traffic in terms of possession and territory for the saints who struggled to pull away from a dogged Killucan outfit. The sides traded just the two scores for the first twenty-five minutes of the half, with Carr and Kilmurray adding to their personal tallies. With just four points as the margin, Maria Kelly was yellow carded for the home side who subsequently ran out of legs. Kilmurray pointed and then moments later scored a brilliant individual goal to put her team out of sight. Late points from Blundell, Kilmurray and a score from substitute Paige Matthews saw Ciaran Kilmurray’s side run out eleven-point winners for a finish.
On the night the game was won up front by Katie Kilmurray who ended with a total of 1-07 and just the single free. Caoimhe Kilmurray and Vicky Carr also put in a tremendous shift. However, it was in the backs where the match was won, limiting Killucan to just the two second half points. Katie Dunne, Megan Ennis and Ellen Kilmurray were all excellent. Although, it was full back Muireann Scally who was head and shoulders above the rest on the night. Scally kept her opposite number scoreless and was instrumental in bringing the ball out of defence.
The game was dominated in terms of possession by the Mullingar side who had the better of proceedings but a combination of wasteful shooting and a difficult Killucan defence made the game a tight contest for a long time. However, a brilliant ending from the away side saw them finish comfortable winners and their high level of fitness was evident on the night. A win in the final match against Mullingar Shamrocks would see Lomans top the group where they would most likely face The Downs in a semi-final. However, the saints are guaranteed at least a semi-final, no matter who the opposition is.
Team; Jane McKenna, Aileen Martin, Muireann Scally, Lara McCartan, Katie Dunne, Megan Ennis, Ellen Kilmurray, Vicky Carr (0.03), Annie Kilmurray, Laura Murphy (0.01), Caoimhe Kilmurray, Ciara Blundell (0.02), Sandra McGrath, Shannon Breslin, Katie Kilmurray (1.07, 0.01f). Subs used; Paige Matthews (0.01), Meabh O’Hara, Keelie Mulderry.
Clarkes Bar Junior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 4-17 Athlone 0-12
Last Friday night our junior team signed off in style with an emphatic win over Athlone in Home Instead Lakepoint Park. The Indian summer made it a perfect night for football and spectators were entertained with a high-scoring affair. Scores were plentiful throughout the evening, and it was David Morgan who got the opener, setting the tone for the night. Athlone were briefly level with their opener but the saints raced into a lead thereafter, with Tristan Graham and Ryan Jones pointing either side of Eoghan Kenny’s goal.
The sides then traded scores with Seanai Bracken and Shane Mulderry opening their accounts for the home side. Morgan was on atrget either side of a Tadhg Kenny goal to further increase the gap. The teams continued to exchange scores with Morgan on the scoresheet yet again. Athlone pointed with a brilliant score through their debutant Niall McKenna but Tadhg Kenny’s second goal on the stroke of half time, well and truly ended the game as a contest.
The second half saw a familiar pattern with the hosts gradually increasing their lead over the visitors. Cillian Plunkett and Mark Tunney were on target to cancel out two Athlone scores. Morgan pointed again and moments later the Mullingar side had their fourth goal. On this occasion it was a breakaway move which ended in substitute Chris Gilbert netting. Three points each were once again traded with three substitutes Daniel McCann, Chris Gilbert and Thomas Meehan all registering scores. Shane Mulderry and Cillian Plunkett added two late scores to increase their personal tallies, but the away side had the last word to leave the final margin an at seventeen points.
The game had somewhat of a friendly feel to it, with both sides already knowing their fate prior to throw in. However, there was some fantastic scores on display from both sides and no spectator could argue that there was any negative nature to the game. On the night every player performed well for Adam Carroll’s team. Shane Mulderry, Cillian Plunkett, Tadhg Kenny and David Morgan were probably the standouts, but indeed there was no shortage of candidates. Just for his final tally and the quality of score, it’s hard to look past David Morgan as player of the match. A special mention also to Dano Fitzsimons who made some excellent saves and was quick off his line.
After topping the group with maximum points, the blues now face a quarter final next week against Ballycomoyle in a neutral venue. This will no doubt be a difficult encounter, and we will need every bit of support we can. Further details of the fixture will be announced during the week. For now, it’s well done to our lads for now, but the serious business starts next weekend.
Team; Dano Fitzsimons, Jack Tyrell, Gerry Grehan, Tom Dorr, Shane Mulderry (0.02), Conor Regan, Tristan Graham (0.01), Ryan Jones (0.01), Cillian Plunkett (0.02), Seanai Bracken (0.01), Eoghan O’Keefe, Eoghan Kenny (1.00), Mark Tunney (0.01), Tadhg Kenny (2.00), David Morgan (0.06, 0.01f. 0.01m). Subs used; Daniel McCann (0.01), Chris Gilbert (1.01), Riley Sheahan, Thomas Meehan (0.01).
Minor Boys Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-11 Caulry 1-05
The win sees Lomans advance to the semi-finals where they will face Mullingar Shamrocks away on the 22nd of September. Well done to the players and management
Fixtures:
Saturday 14th September
Village Barn Ladies Senior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Mullingar Shamrocks at 5pm in Springfield (Time TBC)
Clarke’s Bar Junior Championship:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Ballycomoyle at 5.15pm in Ballynacargy
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Monday 2nd September
This week’s jackpot: €4,400.00
Numbers drawn: 3,6,15,18
No Jackpot winner
Lucky dip winders (€50 each): Aidan/Ella Davitt and Amy Newman
Next week’s jackpot: €4,500.00
Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 9th September
Remember it could be you!
Condolences:
St Lomans Mullingar wish to extend our condolences to the Bennett family following the passing of Carmel Bennett (Née Woods) Dalton Park Mullingar County Westmeath
Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam
