After a slow start Mullingar Shamrocks totally dominated the second half to secure a comfortable victory in the opening round of the Clarke’s Bar Junior I Championship in a match played in the very impressive Multyfarnham venue. Ross Corroon from a free and Matthew Shaw (0-2) began with points for Shamrocks before Daragh Lyons responded with a pair of points for Bunbrosna. Brian Farrell pointed and the Shaw brothers who were flying on the night combined for Andrew to add his name to the score sheet. Barry O’Meara pointed and a defensive error presented Luke Kiernan with a goal and suddenly Bunbrosna were ahead. On the stroke of half-time Ross Corroon tapped over a free to equalise with the scoreboard reading 0-6 to 1-3.  

Shamrocks controlled the second half and outscored Bunbrosna 2-15 to 0-3. Conor Heffernan pointed from play, Nathan Gavin kicked a two-pointer and Andrew Shaw added another point to his collection following a great run by Davy Coyne. Gavin Pierce pointed a free and a massive turnover by Peter Finch was followed by a break from Brian Farrell who set up Trevor Keena for Shamrocks opening goal (1-11 to 1-4). Peter Finch was another player who excelled on the night and Peter has made a great recovery from a very serious leg injury. Gavin Pierce, Conor Heffernan, Andrew Shaw and attacking corner back Ben McNamee added four points to the Shamrocks total. Some great play from the Shaw brothers and Brian Farrell ended with a foul on Gavin Pierce which the corner-forward punished by sticking the resultant free in the back of the Bunbrosna net. Callun Flynn’s final whistle was blown with Shamrocks leading by 1-15 to 1-6. 

Mullingar Shamrocks: Liam English; Peter Finch, Davy Coyne, Ben McNamee (0-1); Conn O’ Hanlon, Piece Corroon, Matthew Shaw (0-2); Nathan Gavin (0-2) [Ciaran Kiernan], John O’Reilly; Brian Farrell (0-1), Trevor Keena (1-0), Andrew Shaw (0-3); Ross Corroon (0-2) [Callum Rigney], Gavin Pierce (1-2), Conor Heffernan (0-2) [Kenneth O’Reilly].