Mullingar Town now on top
Seamus Dunne
Mullingar Town secured a vital three points on Sunday morning in D'Alton Park, defeating Birr Town by one goal to nil, to take them to the top of the CCFL Senior Division.
Town dominated possession for large periods of this contest, but it looked like it was going to be one of those frustrating days, especially after a rare missed Jason Charles penalty in the first half.
The away side also went close to scoring on several occasions, and arguably should have had a penalty when Hubert Zakrzewski was brought down.
To win leagues, sometimes you have to grind out victories and that's precisely what Mullingar Town did here, with Sam Watkins second half goal proving the clincher, to put them top with just a handful of games left to play.
DANGEROUS
Mullingar Town had the better of the early proceedings on a windy day in D'Alton Park. A mazy run from Paul Reid nearly created an opening for Tristan Finnane, before Daragh Kiernan swung in a free kick that caused havoc in the Birr box before being cleared.
The home side in red and black were having the majority of the ball but not creating anything clear-cut, with Birr Town looking dangerous on the break. Birr's David Tooher fired a long-distance attempt over before they missed a guilt-edged opportunity: Tooher set up Hubert Zakrzewski and, with the goal gaping, he somehow put the ball wide.
Birr continued to look the more likely to make the breakthrough, Johnny Corboy crossing to the lively substitute David Tooher, whose brilliant first-time volley went just over.
Mullingar Town had a great opportunity to take the lead on the half hour mark. Smart build up play from Tristan Finnane and Shane O'Keefe presented Sam Watkins with the ball in the box and he was adjudged to have been fouled for a penalty. Mullingar Town captain Jason Charles stood up to take, but uncharacteristically his shot was saved and the teams remained deadlocked.
Both teams traded chances just before half-time. Birr's Hubert Zakrzewski rattled the crossbar with a fantastic shot outside the box, with Mullingar Town's Jason Charles going close with a back-post header, from a Shane O'Keefe corner.
PENALTY CLAIMS
Mullingar Town had another let off early in the second period. Birr's Hubert Zakrzewski raced through on goal before Enda Morris made a last ditch tackle in the penalty area, but didn't appear to get any of the ball. Referee Dean Stenson waved away strong Birr claims for a penalty.
Despite riding their luck, Town continued to have the majority of possession in the second half and were camped in Birr territory looking for the opening goal. Goal-scoring chances just weren't materialising, however, but with 20 minutes left to play, they went agonisingly close.
Daragh Kiernan's corner found Enda Morris and his header clipped the crossbar and went over, much to the frustration of the home support.
It looked like it could be one of these days for Town, potentially dropping vital points in the title run in, but if you want to win titles, you have to grind it out. That's exactly what they did, as with fifteen minutes left to play, substitute Enda Matthews' cross was deflected into the path of striker Sam Watkins and he showed composure to finish to the net to give Town the vital first goal.
From the Birr kick-off, Town amazingly nearly went two up, Tristan Finnane showing his pace, before assisting Sam Watkins once more, this time his effort went over the bar. Mullingar Town had been the much better team in the second period, and other than that strong Birr penalty claim, the Town rearguard had restricted the away side to very little.
The away side did have one last chance for an equaliser however. Jamie Corboy found himself in space on the edge of the Mullingar penalty area and he fired a shot for goal, but his effort was excellently saved by Adrian Rapacki in the Town goal to keep his clean sheet intact and give Town the precious three points.
Mullingar Town: Adrian Rapacki, Jamie Loran, David Mimnagh, Paul Reid, Jason Charles, Enda Morris, Tristan Finnane, David Dyer, Sam Watkins, Shane O'Keefe, Daragh Kiernan. Mullingar Town substitutes: Enda Matthews for Paul Reid (72 mins).
Birr Town: Nathan Williams, Conor Hanamy, Cealim King, Max Boyd, Campbell Boyd, Nicky Molly, Ricky Hanlon, Padraig Watkins, Hubert Zakrzewski, Jamie Corboy, Johnny Corboy. Birr Town substitute: David Tooher for Nathan Williams (18 mins).
Referee: Dean Stenson