St Lomans Mullingar Club Notes 30/09/2024:
Shay Murtagh Senior Championship Semi-final:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-12 Tyrrellspass 0-06
Last Sunday St Lomans Mullingar met Tyrrellspass in a repeat of last year’s semi-final in a windswept in TEG Cusack Park. The two sides are very familiar with one another having met in four finals over the past eleven years. The Mullingar side have had the better of the rivalry over the past decade, despite most of the meetings being very close. Tyrrellpass won the toss and decided to play with the elements in the first half.
Despite kicking into a strong wind it was the saints who had the better of the opening quarter kicking an unanswered five points in the first quarter via John Heslin and doubles from Danny McCartan and Ronan O’Toole. Jamie Gonoud got the underdogs off the mark, but it was quickly cancelled by a Heslin free at the other. Kieran Geraghty reduced the deficit with a pair of free’s before Heslin pointed with the final kick of the half to leave the defending champions four points to the good. The lead was an excellent return considering the conditions.
Paddy Dowdall’s side got off to the ideal start in the second half. An excellent ball from Sam McCartan picked out Fola Ayorinde, who laid off to Ronan O’Toole, the latter found Shane Dempsey who’s powerful strike flew into the top corner of the net via goalkeeper Joe Hyland. David Halon and Tommy Ryan hit back for Eddie Kinsella’s charges to reduce the arrears. However, their task was made that much more difficult when David Hanlon was dismissed after a headbutt on Darragh O’Keefe.
In truth the Mullingar side struggled to make the extra man count for a while and only for some wasteful Tyrrellspass shooting it could have been a more nervous ending. The sides traded just the one score each in this time with Dempsey adding to his tally. Excellent points from Sean Flanagan and Sam McCartan late on all but sealed the victory. In injury time, John Heslin’s powerful 60 metre free found the net after an uncharacteristic error from Hyland in the Tyrellspass’ goal. Heslin and McCartan pointed late on to seal a twelve-point victory.
In truth the scoreline slightly flattered the blues, as there was only a six-point gap for long stages, some wasteful shooting from Tyrrellpass saw Lomans somewhat fortunate at times. However, there’s no doubt they were much the superior side over the course of sixty minutes. A solid performance from all twenty players in royal blue.
The defence was extremely well-drilled with Darragh O’Keefe, Eoghan Hogan and Oisín Hogan all excellent throughout. Danny McCartan, John Heslin, Shane Dempsey all shone brightly up front. There are many candidates for player of the match but on this occasion a defender will take the accolade, and that man is Darragh O’Keefe but in truth it could have been any of the defenders.
The win saw Paddy Dowdall’s men reach a tenth county final in a row, the first club to do so in Westmeath for over a century which is a phenomenal achievement. The prize is a final against The Downs in two weeks’ time which is a repeat of the 2022 final where the black and amber came out on top. Both sides have a fortnight to prepare for what is sure to be an epic battle. Finally, a reminder for all our supporters to get their bunting up as we have two finals in the next two weeks with our senior ladies out next Saturday!
Team; Jason Daly, Oisín Hogan, Darragh O’Keefe, Eoghan Hogan, Enda Gaffney, David Whelan, Sam McCartan (0.01), Jack Geoghegan, John Heslin (1.04,1.04f), Kevin Regan, Ronan O’Toole (0.02), Sean Flanagan (0.01), Danny McCartan (0.03), Fola Ayorinde, Shane Dempsey (1.01). Subs used; Kelvin Reilly, Peter Foy, Nathan Lally, Rory Sheahan, Conor O’Donoughue.
Village Barn Ladies Senior Championship semi-final:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-09 The Downs 1-07
Last Saturday our senior ladies were reacquainted with The Downs in Coralstown Kinnegad. Up to this point the Downs had the blues’ number, despite the Mullingar side topping the group in this year’s championship and the black and amber winning the reverse fixture by eight points in July. On this occasion it was the saints who started the stronger, kicking the first four points. The scores came courtesy of Ciara Blundell and a treble from Lucy McCartan, McCartan’s second point was an outrageous score off her weaker foot and was the best point of the match.
The Downs got off the mark with a free, but at the other end some brilliant link up between Katie Kilmurray and Shannon Breslin culminated in Breslin expertly finding the net to give her team a healthy cushion. The sides then traded scores with Aileen Martin and Katie Kilmurray on target for Lomans. The Downs reduced the deficit when a free kick fortuitously found the net via a Lomans hand. The teams exchanged scores each before the interval, Katie Kilmurray doubling her tally to leave three points between the sides at the half-time whistle.
The second half was a far cagier affair with only two points scored each in the first twenty minutes with defenders Ellen Kilmurray and Katie Dunne pointing for their team. Another placed ball for The Downs left two between the sides with just two minutes of normal time to play. Then came the decisive score. After some patient build-up play, Katie Kilmurray jinked through the downs’ defence and after selling a couple of dummies the sixteen-year-old fired a brilliant left footed shot into the roof of the net. This was to be the final score of the game as Ciaran Kilmurray’s side managed the final moments brilliantly keeping possession until the full-time whistle sounded.
In truth St Lomans were full value for the win and were the better team throughout. The Downs had periods of possession, but a well-drilled blues’ defence limited them to very few scoring chances. At the other end the saints’ forwards were more efficient and did the damage to ultimately book a county final place next weekend. Ciaran Kilmurray and his team now face the unenviable task of beating Milltown for a fourth time this year. This game will throw in at 3.30pm next Saturday in TEG Cusack Park.
In terms of individual performances, they were plentiful all over the pitch. Lara McCartan, Ellen Kilmurray and Katie Dunne were all phenomenal in defence. Lucy McCartan was excellent throughout kicking three points and was the architect of many attacks, not to mention winning several kickouts with excellent fielding. Katie Kilmurray and Shannon Breslin shone brightly up front and took on the bulk of the scoring, a phenomenal achievement for two under 16’s. Player of the match could be any one of the fifteen on the day. For getting the winning goal and terrorising her opponent all day, Katie Kilmurray shades it on this occasion.
A phenomenal achievement from our girls who have got over a big psychological hurdle in beating The Downs who had the better of them in the recent past. Next up is Milltown, who are undoubtedly favourites and chasing four in a row. Congratulations to Ciaran Kilmurray’s charges who have given us excellent entertainment thus far and will be hopeful of causing an upset on Saturday. We need all the support we can get so please be in TEG Cusack Park next weekend and get behind the team.
Team; Jane McKenna, Aileen Martin (0.01), Megan Ennis, Lara McCartan, Katie Dunne (0.01), Muireann Scally, Ellen Kilmurray (0.01), Vicky Carr, Caoimhe Kilmurray, Laura Murphy, Lucy McCartan (0.03), Ciara Blundell (0.01), Sandra McGrath, Shannon Breslin (1.00), Katie Kilmurray (1.02, 0.01f). Subs used; Meabh O’Hara, Julie McLaughlin.
Clarke’s Bar Junior Championship Semi-Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-08 CFCW 2-12
It wasn’t to be for our junior men who bowed out the semi-final stage today after a four point defeat to CFCW
Our lads are heartbroken to be beaten at the business end of the championship again but that’s sport
A big thanks to all the lads for their efforts for over the year. Thanks must also go to Adam Carroll, Adrian Charles, Richie Cleary and Derek Devine for their hard work throughout the year
Full report to follow
Sponsorship:
Huge fortnight ahead for the club with two county finals on the horizon for our senior men and senior ladies.
We’re extremely grateful for are sponsors throughout year, their support is much appreciated by everybody in the club. If anybody wishes to give sponsorship over the coming weeks we would be extremely thankful, their support will be fully acknowledged true our social media channels
Merchandise:
Paul Dempsey has a limited quantity of Lomans Scarves available for the county finals!
( €20 each) Blue & White!
A Great opportunity before this Saturdays ladies final as well
If interested contact him via WhatsApp only 085 8621379
Fixtures:
Saturday 5th October
Village Barn Ladies Senior Championship Final:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Milltown at 3.30pm in TEG Cusack Park
Under 14 Boys division 1 Championship Semi-Final:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Mullingar Shamrocks at 4.30pm in Home Instead Lakepoint Park
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Monday 23rd September
This week’s jackpot: €4,700.00
Numbers drawn: 4,6,7,24
No Jackpot winner
Lucky dip winders (€50 each): Declan Leonard and Enda Begley
Next week’s jackpot: €4,800.00
Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 30th September
Remember it could be you!
Condolences:
St Lomans Mullingar wish to extend our condolences to the Nugent Family following the passing of Sheila Nugent (née Farrell), Bracklyn, Mullingar, and formerly of Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath
Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam
