St Lomans Mullingar Club Notes 25/11/2024:
Leinster Senior Championship Semi-Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 0-14 St Mary’s Ardee 0-15
Last Sunday was a truly gut-wrenching defeat for our senior men in Lakepoint Park and there’s no other way to put it. The game was played in a brilliant spirit throughout and the atmosphere in Home Instead Lakepoint Park was electric. Donal McKenney got the scoring underway for St Mary’s before the home side hit four in a row via Ronan O’Toole, TJ Cox, Danny McCartan and Sam McCartan. Shane Matthews and Tiernan Markey responded for Ardee before both sides exchanged a couple of scores with John Heslin and TJ Cox on target for the blues. The Westmeath champions lead by the minimum at the interval.
The Second half was a truly epic affair with both sides matching each other score for score. Ciaran Keenan edged the Louth Champions in front with a superb double before Kelvin Reilly levelled matters in inspirational fashion. TJ Cox hit back with an outstanding double (one from a mark and one from play) to briefly regain the lead for the Lake County side until Tom Jackson tied up the match at the far end leaving the sides level going into the final quarter.
As was the theme of the day the teams matched each other with three exceptional scores either way. Jack Geoghegan, Kevin Regan and Sam McCartan all hitting fantastic scores for the Mullingar saints. A late double from Daire McConnon and Jonathan Commins looked to have won the game for the Mary’s. However, Paddy Dowdall’s side showed true grit and managed to tie it up. Firstly, Sam McCartan halved the deficit with an outrageous point before Eoghan Hogan pointed following excellent work from Enda Gaffney.
For a moment it looked as though Hogan had saved our bacon again, the same as the county final. However, from the resulting kickout Ardee pointed through Sean Callaghan after Lomans came within inches of turning the ball over. The home side searched for the elusive equalizing score, but the visitors managed to hold on for an epic win to book their place in the Leinster final where they will face Cuala. We wish St Mary’s Ardee the best of luck in Croke Park next weekend.
Our players were visibly devasted at the full-time whistle after putting in such a tremendous effort. Although, the disappointment was for all to see, the lads should be proud of all the hard-work they put in over the year. They’ve managed to deliver the league and championship double as well as two emphatic Leinster victories. Although they just fell short it’s been another unbelievable year for football in Lakepoint park. These lads have delivered 8 Flanagan cups in 12 years, as well as 10 successive finals and they are by no means finished. They have been an absolute pleasure to report on over the last 6 years and have delivered great days and cherished memories.
In terms of individual performances there were many superb performers in defeat. Eoghan Hogan and Darragh O’Keefe were excellent. Sam McCartan was outstanding again with three points and ran the game, showing his class as he has done all year. Jack Geoghegan was also impressive, as was Enda Gaffney off the bench. TJ Cox was once again the best player on the pitch with four points on the day, his injury in the final quarter along with Shane Dempsey’s injury and the six-day turnaround were crucial factors in the defeat.
There are so many people to thank for the year that’s been. Firstly, thank you to the management team of Paddy Dowdall, Phillip Wolfe, Niall Spain, Alan Graham and Dickie Geoghegan. Also, we’d like to thank goalkeeping coach Joe Matthews, S&C Coach Peter Foy and performance analyst Alan Bracken. Thanks to physio Mark Scally, kitmen Gary and Paul Devine. As well as that, thanks to team administrator Declan Cox. Final thanks to the man behind the lens, Olly Gallagher for recording our matches all year.
In terms of our volunteers thank you to everybody involved in preparing our grounds for two Leinster championship matches in the space of a week. Thanks finally to all our supporters who have been immense this season. There’s still football to be played as under 20s contest their semi-final in 10 days’ time but for now we’ll all get a breather. Defeats are hard but it’s all part of sport!
Team; Jason Daly, David Whelan, Darragh O’Keefe, Oisín Hogan, Kelvin Reilly (0.01), Eoghan Hogan (0.01), Sam McCartan (0.03), Jack Geoghegan (0.01), John Heslin (0.01, 0.01f), Rory Sheahan, Ronan O’Toole (0.01), Sean Flanagan, Danny McCartan (0.01), Fola Ayorinde, TJ Cox (0.04, 0.01m). Subs used; Kevin Regan (0.01), Peter Foy, Enda Gaffney, Shane Dempsey
Senior B Ladies Championship Semi-Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-05 Killucan 3-04
Last Sunday night saw the penultimate round of the Senior B Championship played over four months after the previous round in July. The Blues travelled to Killucan and were forced to play against a gale force breeze in the first half. Initially the visitors started well and were level after ten minutes with a point each on the board, Meabh O’Hara getting the saints off the mark. The concession of two goals and a point in ten minutes was a killer blow as the hosts took advantage of some individual errors.
Further insult was added when Killucan were awarded a quite frankly ridiculous penalty before the interval, the Killucan player almost certainly over carried the ball and went over from minimal contact, the foul also seemed to take place outside the square. However, Paul McGaughey had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The resulting penalty was superbly dispatched giving Jane McKenna no chance in goals.
The second half saw the away side given the aid of a somewhat depleted breeze in comparison the first half. The deficit was reduced with three points, Paige Matthews pointing with placed balls either side of a Niamh Egerton score. The home side then hit back with two excellent scores against the breeze which was ultimately the winning of the game. Matthews once again chipped away at the lead with another free to leave eight in it going down the stretch.
We were given a grandstand finish in the final stages with two goals in quick fashion. Firstly, Niamh Egerton finished brilliantly to the roof of the net, before Paige Matthews netted from a free. Julie McLaughlin was also cruelly denied a superb goal by the post. Ciaran Kilmurray’s side pushed for a late winner, but time wasn’t to be on their side as the home side ran out narrow two point victors.
Despite the defeat there were several good performances, in defence Ellen Kilmurray and Eve Scally performed well. Meabh O’Hara, Paige Matthews and Niamh Egerton also stood out in adversity. However, Killucan did just about deserve the win on the day. The game was entertaining for the most part but wasn’t helped with the constant whistle blowing. Rules are there to be applied and it is a thankless task but sometimes it is in everybody's best interest to let the game flow.
This is not to take away from Killucan who worthy winners and we wish them the best of luck in next weekend’s final. It must also be said though that the Senior B competition has descended into a farce. The long breaks between games and the constant cancellation of fixtures for one reason or another is extremely frustrating. This competition is made to give girls not starting for the first team games, but it isn’t given any respect for the aforementioned reason. Hopefully, the senior clubs will be allowed enter a second team into the junior championship to run alongside the senior, as has been proposed.
With all that a side well done to our girls who gave their all this year. Thanks also to Ciaran Kilmurray and his management team of Gary Devine, Brian Tyrell, Alan Bracken, Niall Scally, Timmy Murphy, Andrea Martin and Stephanie Kilmurray. It has been a brilliant year for the ladies side of the club with titles galore at all levels. Hopefully similar success can continue in 2025.
Team; Jane McKenna, Eve Scally, Keelie Mulderry, Aoibhe Hogan, Ellen Kilmurray, Katie Dunne, Julie McLaughlin, Annie Kilmurray, Shauna Traynor, Niamh Egerton (1.01), Meabh O’Hara (0.01), Paige Matthews (1.03, 1.03f), Emma McDonnell, Chloe Devine Scally, Phoebe Harte. Subs used; Sandra McGrath, Rachel McKenna, Evie Kilmurray,
Congratulations:
Well done to Ted Cronin who was nominated to be inducted into to the Westmeath LGFA Hall of Fame last Friday night. Ted has served as Chairman for the ladies side of the club for over a decade and while we have many great volunteers we’d be truly lost without him. The trojan work he puts in is unmatched. Whether he’s coaching on of his several teams, whether its chairing meetings, whether it’s helping with parking Ted is there. Although the award, was given elsewhere we’re tremendously proud of Ted.
AGM:
Our AGM will take place on Thursday 12 December at 8pm in the clubhouse. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Motions and Nominations can be submitted to secretary.stlomansmullingar.westmeath@gaa.ie
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Monday 18th November
This week’s jackpot: €5,500.00
Numbers drawn: 2,3,8,22
No Jackpot winner
Lucky dip winders (€50 each): Pat Casserley and Liz Daly
Next week’s jackpot: €5,600.00
Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 25th November
Remember it could be you!
