ACL Div.1: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-6 Rosemount 1-5.

A close call but with a last attack goal scored by Alan Cashman secured the League points that in fairness we deserved for our second half performance. On a near perfect day for football Rosemount held an interval lead of 0-4 to 0-3 with our scores coming from a Denis Corroon free, a fine effort from John O’Reilly and a great passing move finished by Lorcan Smyth. With the emphasis on defence and both teams focussed on ball retention scores and scoring opportunities were scarce. Conn O’Hanlon and Tomass Turks impressed in making their first appearance for Shamrocks in a senior competitive match; unfortunately, we are soon to lose Brendan O’Reilly and we wish Brendan an enjoyable time in Australia.

Shamrocks dominated the second half, retained possession for long spells and defended well except for one episode of carelessness. A Denis Corroon point from a free levelled the match and in the fourteenth minute another great pointed free from Denis inched Shamrocks ahead. The crossbar rescued Rosemount from a Lorcan Smyth rocket and minutes later Lorcan pointed to extend the Shamrocks lead to two points. Rosemount remained scoreless until the 29th minute of the half but then a Shamrocks turnover was rocketed to the net by Jack Slevin to give Rosemount the lead at the all-important stage and when they added a point it looked as if the points were destined for Rosemount.

There was time for one last attack and a close-in free to Shamrocks was played short and several passes later Con O’Hanlon found the space to shoot for goal and as the ball flashed across the goalmouth Alan Cashman got the vital touch that directed the ball to the Rosemount net. Like the All-Ireland club hurling final, there was no time for a restart with the final score reading Mullingar Shamrocks 1-6 Rosemount 1-5.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Sean Hynes; Eddie Moore, Conn O’Hanlon, Marc Eivers (Matthew Siode); Tomass Turks, David Gavin, Brendan O’Reilly; Brian Farrell, Denis Corroon (0-3); Alan Cashman (1-0), Lorcan Smyth (0-2), Dillon Matthews; Ryan Blundell Zach Aherne, John O’Reilly (John O’Reilly).