Magnificent seven for Mullingar Athletic in title celebration

Mullingar Athletic’s under 19 side were crowned CCFL Premier Division champions last Saturday afternoon in Gainstown, Mullingar and they did it in style, finishing with seven goals to secure the three points and guarantee Dorian McDonald lifted the league trophy.

It was a fantastic end to a great league campaign for this talented squad, with two more cups still to play for.

On a sunny afternoon in Gainstown, with the odd shower, Athletic started the stronger on the all-weather pitch.

Back in their familiar yellow and green colours, they took the lead just two minutes into the match.

A free was swung in by Daniel McCann, the ball found the towering centre back Nedas Bielas, and he flicked the ball into the path of Ross Clinton, who headed to the net from close range.

Tullamore had a few half chances and occasionally threatened on the break, led by Conor Hanniffy, but it was the home side that were having the majority of possession, and the better of the chances.

They should have been two-nil ahead when a ball across goal from Dorian McDonald found Ethan Bowman, but with the goal at his mercy, he could only hit the crossbar.

Athletic had several chances to extend their lead but couldn’t take them, Nedas Bielias heading narrowly wide from a corner, before Ross Clinton had two efforts that went wide, while another shot was saved by Tullamore goalkeeper Lee Guinan.

On the half hour mark, Athletic did get their second goal - Ross Clinton heading into the path of No.10 Daniel McCann, who ran clear on goal; he showed great composure before burying the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot.

Ryan Bitu’s dribbling abilities and calmness on the ball for Athletic was a joy to watch, and he assisted the third goal minutes later. A great pass fed the lively Ross Clinton, who side-footed to the bottom corner.

The rest of the match was now feeling like a formality as Athletic’s name was well and truly on the league trophy with no sign of a Tullamore revival.

Ross Clinton got a first half hat-trick just before half-time, converting from the penalty spot, after Rian O’Neil was fouled in the box. It meant the dominant hosts were up 4-0 at the break.

FANTASTIC SEASON

Mullingar Athletic didn’t rest on their laurels in the second half as they continued to attack, to further put the cherry on top of their title celebrations.

Daniel McCann found Ross Clinton on the wing after 52 minutes; Ross’s cross deceived the Tullamore sub goalkeeper Conor Whelan, looping over his head and into the net.

Athletic made it six minutes later when a defence-splitting pass from Daniel McCann put Rian O’Farrell through on goal; his shot across goal was met by the onrushing Ethan Bowman, who put his body on the line to finish at the back post.

On the 70th minute mark, Athletic scored their seventh goal to cap off a fantastic league season.

Daniel McCann was again the creator, putting Rian O’Farrell through on goal and he made no mistake, placing the ball past Tullamore substitute goalie Conor Whelan.

Tullamore struggled to create against a solid Athletic back-four, led by Cian Molloy and Nedas Bielias, they got their clean sheet to add further positivity to a brilliant day for Mullingar Athletic, as they were crowned CCFL U19 Premier Division Champions.

Mullingar Athletic: John McCormack, Dorian McDonald, Nedas Bielias, Cian Molloy, Nielas Vitauskas, Bobby Archibold, Ryan Bitu, Rian O’Farrell, Ross Clinton, Daniel McCann, Ethan Bowman. Mullingar Athletic substitutes: Matthew Rooney for Ross Clinton, Raymond Kafeletswe for Bobby Archibold (60 mins), Eoin Kilmurray for Nielas Vitauskas, Ben Meredith for Ryan Bitu (65 mins), Cian McGrath for Rian O’Farrell (75 mins).

Tullamore Town FC: Lee Guinan, Brian Moran, Aaron Tuohy, Chris Leavy, Luke Boyle, Cian McConnell, Sam Spellman, Conor Hanniffy, Shayne Hickey, Lee Kelly, Cian O’Connor: Tullamore Town FC Substitutes: Conor Whelan for Lee Guinan, Jack Murphy for Shayne Hickey, Jakob Prekop for Lee Kelly (all h/t).

Referee: Paul Malone.