Westmeath Under-20 County Football Final: Tubberclair 1-15 Mullingar Shamrocks 3-5.
Mullingar Shamrocks Under-20 campaign ended in defeat in Moate on Saturday afternoon when Tubberclair had four points to spare at the end of an absorbing afternoon of football. Fourteen scores to eight tells its own story and Mullingar Shamrocks can have
Mullingar Shamrocks dominated the early exchanges but were unable to convert a number of good scoring chances. The nine weeks absence from meaningful championship action when the Under-20 competition was held in cold storage was clearly evident in these early exchanges and to a certain extent throughout the game in some misplaced passes and unnecessary turnovers.
One of the Tubberclair danger men, Daire O’ Connor opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he pointed for Tubberclair and two minutes later Tom Bourke extended the lead with an outrageous two pointer off the right boot. One of the scores of the season. Bourke again pointed and in the ninth minute Darren O’Connor and Seán Whitaker combined before the latter fired past Eoin Doran for the opening goal of the game. A brilliant Eoin Doran save from Peadar Dolan prevented a certain goal but Fintan Duffy collected and pointed and after 11 minutes Tubberclair had moved into a 1-5 to 0-0 scoreline. Arguably, in this six minute spell the game was won and lost as Shamrocks were to outscore Tubberclair 3-5 to 0-10 over the next 50 minutes. Unfortunately, it is what happens over 60 minutes that matters.
This Shamrocks team thrives on a bit of adversity and batted ferociously to the end. The comeback began when Donnacha Maguire won possession deep in defence in the 14th minute. Donnacha transferred to Criostóir Ormsby who shredded the Tubberclair defence with a powerful run through the centre before parting to Alex Sheerin who finished to the net with his usual precision; four minutes later Shane Ormsby again moved through the middle and released Callum Rigney who shot to the net. In between, these goals two superb Eoin Doran saves secured the Shamrocks impetus. As a result, just after the midpoint of the half, the scoreboard read 1-6 to 2-0 in Tubberclair’s favour. Daire O’ Connor and Gavin Pierce exchanged points before Tom Burke launched another magnificent two-pointer this time off the left boot. This brace of two-pointers were as good as any scored this season by any player. A Callum Rigney solo run ended with a point before Shamrocks worked a move from a free that ended with a point from Peter Finch. Tubberclair secured possession from the restart and Rory Dolan pointed to bring the half-time score to 1-9 to 2-3 in favour of Tubberclair.
Mullingar Shamrocks enjoyed the benefit of a significant breeze following the restart but Tubberclair secured the early scores with points from Taylor Slevin and Finn Duffy. The latter was a particular fine score as it came from a turnover deep in the heart of the Tubberclair defence before the ball was transferred quickly downfield to Duffy who pointed off the left boot (1-11 to 2-3). Again Shamrocks responded and a fine interception by Killian Mooney who transferred to Alex Sheerin who was clinical once again and finished superbly for his second goal. Eight minutes later a Donnacha Maguire point reduced the deficit to the minimum (1-11 to 3-4) and Shamrocks were serious contenders.
A Peadar Dolan point lifted the siege as the ball dipped viciously as it crossed Eoin Doran’s crossbar. At this stage, a shoulder injury to Shane Ormsby may have had a significant influence on the outcome. Operating on one arm, the big midfielder moved to full-forward, and some minutes later was replaced by Nathan Cornally. Before leaving the scene, Shane produced a magnificent piece of skill with a fabulous one-handed catch (the game’s highlight according to one Tubberclair supporter!). Unfortunately, the second arm was required to take advantage of the play and the fine piece of skill went unrewarded.
Finn Duffy emerged as the key score-getter of the half with two pointed frees from the right hand side in the 22nd and 25th minutes. Both frees were difficult, the fouls were perhaps unnecessary, Duffy’s skill-set survived the pressure test and he kicked two fine points into the wind off the left boot. Alex Sheerin responded with a point – the last Shamrocks score of the afternoon. In the final significant play, Liam Staunton ghosted upfield during a break in play and received possession from a Tubberclair free-kick restart. The wing-back was rewarded for his ingenuity with the final score of the afternoon and five minutes later Niall Warde blew the final whistle with Tubberclair leading by 1-15 to 3-5.
Defeat is always disappointing and a county final defeat always hurts that bit more. On this occasion, the Mullingar Shamrocks lads can be proud of their display. This was an intense physical battle and the lads never relented. The physically stronger and battle hardened Tubberclair team were worthy winners but a great team performance kept Shamrocks in contention to the end. The tackling and defending was great and the display of Peter Finch, Ben Sheerin, Tye Masterson, Adam Glynn, Tadgh Sheridan and Rory McCaul in defence was exceptional; Shane Ormsby, Donnacha Maguire, Gavin Pierce and Callum Rigney were tireless in their efforts with Callum raiding from midfield to score 1-1. Always a bonus. In addition, the individual brilliance of Eoin Doran, Criostóir Ormsby and Alex Sheerin ensured that Tubberclair had to battle to the end to earn the title. The rivalry continues and with many of the players from both sides eligible again next year, there will be more outstanding contests.
It should also be noted that Mullingar Shamrocks had four certain starters sitting in the dugout with serious knee injuries: Dylan Franzoni (Dylan’s time in the gym is obvious and we look forward to his return at the start of next season), Conor Heffernan and Ryan Kelly are sidelined by the dreadful cruciate injuries whilst Ted Aherne has been sidelined all summer with a cartilage injury. The cruciate injury is once again reaching epidemic proportions in club’s across the county (Mullingar Shamrocks currently have six players sidelined with the injury), surely a cause for concern for the GAA’s Medical Commission. A nose injury received in the Minor final ruled out Paul Keating. However, there are no excuses and we congratulate Tubberclair on their victory.
Finally, the incredible hard work and expertise of the team management of Tom Ormsby, Derek Sheridan, Gary Corroon and Ritchie Daly is acclaimed as well as the support of their Maor Uisce Aaron Purcell and Paul Christie. The work behind the scenes to prepare a team to deliver this level of performance is unseen and often unrecognized.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Peter Finch (0-1), Tadhg Sheridan, Ben Sheerin; Tye Masterson, Adam Glynn, Rory McCaul; Callum Rigney (1-1), Criostóir Ormsby; Shane Ormsby (Nathan Cornally), Donnacha Maguire (0-1), Gavin Pierce (0-1); Dylan Carey (Luke McCabe) (Ryan McNamee), Alex Sheerin (2-1), Matthew Shaw (Killian Mooney).
Mullingar Shamrocks Under-20 campaign ended in defeat in Moate on Saturday afternoon when Tubberclair had four points to spare at the end of an absorbing afternoon of football. Fourteen scores to eight tells its own story and Mullingar Shamrocks can have
Mullingar Shamrocks dominated the early exchanges but were unable to convert a number of good scoring chances. The nine weeks absence from meaningful championship action when the Under-20 competition was held in cold storage was clearly evident in these early exchanges and to a certain extent throughout the game in some misplaced passes and unnecessary turnovers.
One of the Tubberclair danger men, Daire O’ Connor opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he pointed for Tubberclair and two minutes later Tom Bourke extended the lead with an outrageous two pointer off the right boot. One of the scores of the season. Bourke again pointed and in the ninth minute Darren O’Connor and Seán Whitaker combined before the latter fired past Eoin Doran for the opening goal of the game. A brilliant Eoin Doran save from Peadar Dolan prevented a certain goal but Fintan Duffy collected and pointed and after 11 minutes Tubberclair had moved into a 1-5 to 0-0 scoreline. Arguably, in this six minute spell the game was won and lost as Shamrocks were to outscore Tubberclair 3-5 to 0-10 over the next 50 minutes. Unfortunately, it is what happens over 60 minutes that matters.
This Shamrocks team thrives on a bit of adversity and batted ferociously to the end. The comeback began when Donnacha Maguire won possession deep in defence in the 14th minute. Donnacha transferred to Criostóir Ormsby who shredded the Tubberclair defence with a powerful run through the centre before parting to Alex Sheerin who finished to the net with his usual precision; four minutes later Shane Ormsby again moved through the middle and released Callum Rigney who shot to the net. In between, these goals two superb Eoin Doran saves secured the Shamrocks impetus. As a result, just after the midpoint of the half, the scoreboard read 1-6 to 2-0 in Tubberclair’s favour. Daire O’ Connor and Gavin Pierce exchanged points before Tom Burke launched another magnificent two-pointer this time off the left boot. This brace of two-pointers were as good as any scored this season by any player. A Callum Rigney solo run ended with a point before Shamrocks worked a move from a free that ended with a point from Peter Finch. Tubberclair secured possession from the restart and Rory Dolan pointed to bring the half-time score to 1-9 to 2-3 in favour of Tubberclair.
Mullingar Shamrocks enjoyed the benefit of a significant breeze following the restart but Tubberclair secured the early scores with points from Taylor Slevin and Finn Duffy. The latter was a particular fine score as it came from a turnover deep in the heart of the Tubberclair defence before the ball was transferred quickly downfield to Duffy who pointed off the left boot (1-11 to 2-3). Again Shamrocks responded and a fine interception by Killian Mooney who transferred to Alex Sheerin who was clinical once again and finished superbly for his second goal. Eight minutes later a Donnacha Maguire point reduced the deficit to the minimum (1-11 to 3-4) and Shamrocks were serious contenders.
A Peadar Dolan point lifted the siege as the ball dipped viciously as it crossed Eoin Doran’s crossbar. At this stage, a shoulder injury to Shane Ormsby may have had a significant influence on the outcome. Operating on one arm, the big midfielder moved to full-forward, and some minutes later was replaced by Nathan Cornally. Before leaving the scene, Shane produced a magnificent piece of skill with a fabulous one-handed catch (the game’s highlight according to one Tubberclair supporter!). Unfortunately, the second arm was required to take advantage of the play and the fine piece of skill went unrewarded.
Finn Duffy emerged as the key score-getter of the half with two pointed frees from the right hand side in the 22nd and 25th minutes. Both frees were difficult, the fouls were perhaps unnecessary, Duffy’s skill-set survived the pressure test and he kicked two fine points into the wind off the left boot. Alex Sheerin responded with a point – the last Shamrocks score of the afternoon. In the final significant play, Liam Staunton ghosted upfield during a break in play and received possession from a Tubberclair free-kick restart. The wing-back was rewarded for his ingenuity with the final score of the afternoon and five minutes later Niall Warde blew the final whistle with Tubberclair leading by 1-15 to 3-5.
Defeat is always disappointing and a county final defeat always hurts that bit more. On this occasion, the Mullingar Shamrocks lads can be proud of their display. This was an intense physical battle and the lads never relented. The physically stronger and battle hardened Tubberclair team were worthy winners but a great team performance kept Shamrocks in contention to the end. The tackling and defending was great and the display of Peter Finch, Ben Sheerin, Tye Masterson, Adam Glynn, Tadgh Sheridan and Rory McCaul in defence was exceptional; Shane Ormsby, Donnacha Maguire, Gavin Pierce and Callum Rigney were tireless in their efforts with Callum raiding from midfield to score 1-1. Always a bonus. In addition, the individual brilliance of Eoin Doran, Criostóir Ormsby and Alex Sheerin ensured that Tubberclair had to battle to the end to earn the title. The rivalry continues and with many of the players from both sides eligible again next year, there will be more outstanding contests.
It should also be noted that Mullingar Shamrocks had four certain starters sitting in the dugout with serious knee injuries: Dylan Franzoni (Dylan’s time in the gym is obvious and we look forward to his return at the start of next season), Conor Heffernan and Ryan Kelly are sidelined by the dreadful cruciate injuries whilst Ted Aherne has been sidelined all summer with a cartilage injury. The cruciate injury is once again reaching epidemic proportions in club’s across the county (Mullingar Shamrocks currently have six players sidelined with the injury), surely a cause for concern for the GAA’s Medical Commission. A nose injury received in the Minor final ruled out Paul Keating. However, there are no excuses and we congratulate Tubberclair on their victory.
Finally, the incredible hard work and expertise of the team management of Tom Ormsby, Derek Sheridan, Gary Corroon and Ritchie Daly is acclaimed as well as the support of their Maor Uisce Aaron Purcell and Paul Christie. The work behind the scenes to prepare a team to deliver this level of performance is unseen and often unrecognized.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Peter Finch (0-1), Tadhg Sheridan, Ben Sheerin; Tye Masterson, Adam Glynn, Rory McCaul; Callum Rigney (1-1), Criostóir Ormsby; Shane Ormsby (Nathan Cornally), Donnacha Maguire (0-1), Gavin Pierce (0-1); Dylan Carey (Luke McCabe) (Ryan McNamee), Alex Sheerin (2-1), Matthew Shaw (Killian Mooney).
