Under-13 County Final (2020): Mullingar Shamrocks 0-9 St Loman’s 3-11

Our Under-13, 2020 championship campaign ended in disappointment in Lakeland Park when St Loman’s came out on top in the county final and were deserving winners in a fine game of football with many talented players on view on both sides.

Mullingar Shamrocks dominated the opening quarter and retained possession with some great passing despite playing into the strong wind. Paul Keating opened the scoring with a point that was balanced by a similar score from Dylan Hayes; Ted Aherne, Padraig Casey and Dylan Burke added three points, Adam Buckley saved brilliantly before a great left footed effort from B. Green reduced the deficit for St Loman’s, before the first water break, with Shamrocks leading by 0-4 to 0-2.

The break also brought Shamrocks dominance to an end as St Loman’s dominated the second quarter and added 1-7 to their total. Shamrocks failed to score in the second quarter despite the best efforts of Ted Aherne who excelled throughout the game. Dylan Hayes scored the crucial goal as half-time approached and also added a point as did Seán Plunkett to leave the half-time score 1-9 to 0-4 in favour of the home side.

Shamrocks attacked from the restart but found it difficult to make an impression on the scoreboard but two fine frees by Padraig Casey reduced the deficit; Adam Buckley again saved well, B. Green added a point for St Loman’s and Ben McNamee raced through (one of many fine runs made by Ben during the second half) but his shot for goal was saved by Graham Duggan; Ben pointed the resultant ‘45’ and at the end of the third quarter Mullingar Shamrocks had narrowed the gap to 0-6 (1-10 to 0-7).

On resumption, Ben McNamee gained possession and raced through but once again his shot was saved by Graham Duggan, a crucial save as a goal at this stage could have been crucial. McNamee pointed as did Ronan Byrne and just four points separated the sides (1-10 to 0-9). However the all-out attack left gaps in defence and St Loman’s took full advantage of the space and opportunities. Jack McCann scored two goals, Adam Buckley made a number of good saves and at the final whistle the scoreboard read 3-11 to 0-9 in favour of St Loman’s.

Full marks to all the lads on the panel who contributed to what was a great championship run in these difficult times. A special thanks to the team management who invested countless hours in coaching and preparing the boys. We are lucky to have people of the calibre of Eddie Casey, Paul Aherne, Ollie Keating, Tony Sheerin, Oisín Masterson and Ritchie Daly volunteering their services for the betterment of the club. Thanks lads.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Tye Masterson, Zak Coyne; James Flynn, Ben McNamee (0-2), Charlie Foy; Criostóir Ormsby, Paul Keating (0-1); Ted Aherne (0-1), Padraig Casey (0-3), James Ryan; Tommy Daly, Dylan Burke (0-1); Ronan Byrne (0-1). Other Panellists: Thomas Idowu, Hugh Carey, Andrew Gavigan, Rory Kilmartin, Brian Wycherley, Declan Newman. James Davitt, Harry Fahey-Maguire, Justin Haugh; Isaac Haughey, Conor McDonnell, Gareth Sweeney, Jack Toal.