Under-13 Football Challenge: St Jude’s, Templeogue 5-7 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-15

Dessie Farrell’s Dublin side were not the only side from the capital travelling to a Leinster venue on Saturday afternoon last as St. Jude’s Templeogue travelled to Springfield to face Shamrocks in an under 13 challenge. The last day of spring certainly didn’t herald the beginning of summer weather wise with steady rainfall making conditions difficult underfoot. Both sides coped admirably with the difficult conditions and served up a cracking game that ebbed and flowed throughout. Team mentors Óisin Masterson, Micheal Burke, Adrian Regan and Vincent Timoney clearly had their charges fired up from the outset with the green and whites beginning impressively. The tireless Sean Hickey led by example and Colm Clinton, Darragh Daly, Jamie Timoney and Declan Newman combined impressively in attack. Zac Masterson, Darragh Ryan and Harry Tilson were to the fore in defence and at one stage the dominant home side notched six unanswered points. The visitors responded in clinical fashion however with two well taken goals to ensure parity at the break. The second half began in contrast to the opening moiety with the St. Jude’s boys using their bench well and establishing a decent lead. The home side launched a wonderful last quarter fight back kickstarted by Padraig Regan’s snappily taken goal in the 43rd minute and a flurry of scores led to the visitors hanging on to victory by the minimum margin on a scoreline of 5-7 to 2-15. Special mention also to Evan Nohilly, Dylan Byrne, team captain David Fulham and Conor Walsh who fought valiantly in the second half while Manus Kelly’s bravery in one incident was typical of the commitment shown by the home side. Manus was certainly unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty because of the heavy tackle. Both sides retired to the clubhouse afterwards with Tomas Nally taking time out from his hectic weekend Mullingar Festival duties to ensure a decent supply of Four Star Pizza was delivered to 55 hungry youngsters. Roisin Masterson and Debbie Newman’s culinary preparations ensured that the sizeable contingent of adults also went home appreciative of the renowned Shamrocks’ hospitality. The full Mullingar Shamrocks squad on duty was: David Fulham, Evan Nohilly, Harry Tilson, Luke Kelly, MJ Burke, Dylan Byrne, Conor Walsh, Sean Hickey, John Gilbride, Oliver Keane, Manus Kelly, Carl Keane, Colm Clinton, Zac Masterson, Darragh Daly, Darragh McCabe, Padraig Regan, Charlie Murtagh, Declan Newman, Darragh Ryan, Fionn Ledwith, Jamie Timoney.

Training for this group continues on Tuesday at 6.30 with both under 13 sides in action on Wednesday evening.