Minor LGF Championship: Mullingar Shamrocks 3-10 Caulry 4-14

Mullingar Shamrocks and Caulry renewed their rivalry in Springfield on Saturday morning and served-up a superb game of football in the group stages of the Westmeath minor LGF championship. Wind assisted, Mullingar Shamrocks dominated the early stages and had 1-4 on the scoreboard before Caulry opened their account. Alison Bane was the first to score for Shamrocks when she pointed after good work by Chloe Flood and Sarah Geoghegan. Chloe Flood added another point with a fine left footed effort and Anna Jones added a third from long range. The same player pointed again- a fine individual effort after a great solo run. Anna then gained possession from the Caulry kick-out and raced through the defence for the opening goal to put Shamrocks 1-4 ahead. Caulry gradually worked their way into the game and found the range and direction. Áine Gaynor goaled and Caulry followed with two points to reduce the deficit (1-4 to 1-2). Katie Kelly and Zara Gilligan combined to create a goal scoring opportunity but a good save by the Caulry goalkeeper foiled Zara's attempt. Laura Culkin pointed but Caulry added two more points to leave the interval score 1-5 to 1-4. Anna Jones pointed on the resumption but two Caulry points levelled the match. A great Alison Bane goal after great work from Anna Jones and Zara Gilligan restored the Shamrocks advantage but the lead didn't survive as Caulry worked the ball downfield and Áine Gaynor blasted the ball past Isabelle Clinton in the Shamrocks goal. Isabelle's lengthy kick-outs were a feature of this match. Another great Chloe solo run ended with a free to Shamrocks which Anna Jones pointed, Áine Gaynor did likewise to equalise matters once again (2-7 each). Anna and Áine both performed superbly in this match with Anna Jones giving an exhibition of all the skills of Gaelic football backed-up by a wonderful work-rate. Caulry scored three unanswered points before Anna Jones pointed for Shamrocks with a great free kicked into the wind. Caulry added another three points to establish a five point lead (2-13 to 2-8). The match then developed a whole new energy when Katie Kelly goaled after Chloe Smullen shredded the Caulry defence with a powerful solo run. A brilliant steal by Anna Jones released Chloe and another solo run and another great point resulted; Nicola Groenwald's worked hard and pointed to level matters (3-10 to 2-13). However, Caulry weren't finished and an Áine Gaynor pointed free restored their lead. Áine then goaled and Leah Quigley added another before the final whistle to seal the Caulry victory.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Isabelle Clinton; Sadhbh O'Brien, Chloe Flood, Catherine Turbidy, Susanna Buckley, Carla Gibney, Máiread Newman, Laura Culkin (0-1) [Ellen Corroon), Anna Jones (1-5), Chloe Smullen (0-2), Sarah Geoghegan, Alison Bane (1-1), Holly McCormack (Nicola Groenwald, 0-1), Katie Kelly (1-0), Zara Gilligan (Jenna Kelly). Also Eve Hynes.