2020 Minor Shield Div. 2 Final: Millmore Gaels 2-20 Mullingar Shamrocks 4-4
No joy for Shamrocks on this occasion as Millmore Gaels were deserving winners in this high scoring encounter in Springfield on Sunday evening. The lads performed well against an impressive Millmore team whose score taking, led by Jack Lynn at full -forward, was excellent. We had great parental support in Springfield and well done to all involved. A special word of thanks to Vinny Timoney, Anthony Clinton and Seamus Wallace for all the hard work with this group of players who have shown massive improvement over the past eighteen months.
The opening two attacks produced scores as Luke Smyth pointed for Millmore and a Matthew Clinton punched goal completed a great Shamrocks attacking move. Jack Duncan struck the crossbar with a goal on the cards before Smyth and Jack Lynn hit the first of his ten points to level matters. Shamrocks struck back and when Daithí Ó Mairtín was fouled with a goal at his mercy, Sean Carroll pointed to the penalty spot. Ollie MacNamara slotted the kick with customary calmness. Jack Lynn pointed his second free before Anders Kiernan set up Luke Smyth for Millmore’s first goal. Shamrocks were awarded a second penalty and this time Ivan Smyth saved Ollie’s attempt but Ollie was alert to the rebound and scored Shamrocks third goal. At the water break Shamrocks held a 3-0 to 1-4 lead.
Gradually Millmore gained control with the high fielding Dylan Murtagh gaining midfield dominance and centre forward Anders Kiernan orchestrating the attack. Shamrocks defended with great spirit but with the constant pressure fouls were inevitably conceded and were punished by the accuracy of Jack Lynn who pointed four frees in the second quarter. Dylan Murtagh, Conor Lynn and Jack Duncan added points from play and at the interval Millmore had moved into a 1-11 to 3-0 lead.
The introduction of Rian Adamson at the interval and Shane Ormsby shortly afterwards brough new life to Shamrocks and Ormsby’s high fielding was evident on several occasions. However, Millmore continued to register the scores; Jack Lynn pointed twice from frees and added another one from play and Jack Duncan pointed twice from play. Shamrocks responded with two frees from Ollie MacNamara and when Mark Shaw raced on to a long delivery and punched past Ivan Smyth for Shamrocks fourth goal hopes of a revival were entertained. At the water break, the scoreboard (it was working on this occasion) read 1-16 to 4-2.
Early in the fourth quarter the game ended as a contest when Evan Finnerty slotted home Millmore’s second goal. Jack Duncan and the Lynn’s added points but this Shamrocks bunch of players have made some dramatic comebacks and continued to challenge for this title. A Ryan Adamson surge was finished for a point by Tomas Turks which was answered by a like score from Conor Lynn. Mark Shaw pointed from play before what might have been the highlight of the match was enacted. A powerful run by Shane Ormsby ended with the big man blasting towards the net. It could have been a goal but Ivan Smyth produced an incredible save to touch the ball to safety. There was hardly a better save on any Gaelic grounds at the weekend. It was a fitting end to what was a fine game of football with plenty of skilful play on offer from sides.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Mikey McDonagh; Enda Keating, Rory Hickey, Conor Kelly; Tom Hickey (Adam Boyle), Tomas Turks (0-1), Óisin Sheridan (Rian Adamson); Ciarán Kiernan, Ben White (Cian McGrath); Matthew Clinton (1-0), Ollie MacNamara (2-2), Aaron Russell (Shane Ormsby); Conor Fagan, (Daragh Hughes) Daithí Ó Mairtín, Mark Shaw (1-1). Other panellists: James Devine, Ben Egan, Óisín Garry, Nathan McLoughlin-Purcell, Caoilainn Walsh, Luke McCabe