Super show from Under 13s in Dublin

Following two disappointing draws, Athletic's Under 13s got back to winning ways in a close encounter in Ballyfermot.After only four minutes, they were in front when a Mullingar corner was headed out to midfielder Shane O'Keeffe, and he pushed it wide to James Baker.Baker's deep cross was met at the far post by the inrushing Dylan Kelly who calmly sidefooted across the goalie.The lead doubled soon afterwards when Niall Gavin's driven pass found Ryan Dempsey just inside the area. He controlled and turned in one swift movement and coolly slotted in at the foot of the post.The visitors never expected an easy game here and the home side nearly reduced the arrears when a free kick eluded a hesitant defence. Fortunately for Mullingar the resultant uncontested header came back off the bar.The reward for their efforts did come soon afterwards, however, as the effervescent right winger crossed beautifully for a simple nod in at the back post.At the other end, Shane O'Keeffe passed to Ryan Dempsey on the right.He cut inside his marker and unleashed a left foot drive, which the ‘keeper held. Another free kick was held well by Roy Cleary in the Athletic goal to keep the visitors' noses in front at the interval.If composure in front of goal was the hallmark of the first half, composure in defence was the theme of the second, as the home team pushed for the equaliser.James Monaghan tackled decisively, while his central defensive partner Jake O'Meara seemed always to be in the right place to clear, and Ronan O'Toole's arrival at left back blunted the home side's main attacking threat.As they attacked more, opportunities arose for Mullingar to break and stretch their lead.Niall Gavin's robust tackling regained possession in midfield and he passed the ball wide to Tye Adamson.His pin point pass found James Baker in the box, but his effort sliced wide. The same player was put through by Mark Armstrong, but was again off target, while the latter shot too close to the ‘keeper as he was closed down by the defence.Tye Adamson and Shane O'Keeffe also sent half chances wide.Athletic nearly paid for their profligacy when a last minute Ballyfermot corner was cleared off the line. In the end, more composure in front of goal allied to extra grit and determination all over the pitch gained the three points.Team: Roy Cleary, Tom Gavin, Cormac Murray, James Monaghan, Jake O'Meara, Shane O'Keeffe, Niall Gavin, Mark Armstrong, Dylan Kelly, Ryan Dempsey, James Baker, Tye Adamson, Ronan O'Toole.