Shamrocks edge Moate in defensive encounter

Mullingar Shamrocks 1-7, Moate All Whites 1-4

On a day where scores were hard to come by, it was a goal from forward Paddy Fagan which gave Mullingar Shamrocks their second victory in Section B of the senior championship while also condemning Moate to the same in defeats. In front of a decent attendance in St Mary’s Rochfortbridge, both sides played a game which displayed more of a ‘don’t lose’ rather than ‘go out and win’ mentality, with only 13 scores in total and seven from play in over an hour. Moate will look back on this game as a potential missed opportunity to get their first point, or points: they will face St Malachy's in round three, with both sides searching for a win.

Mullingar Shamrocks, meanwhile, take on Killucan, who ran up a very impressive scoring total last weekend against Shandonagh.

Defensive systems were obvious from the off as the formations could be seen as clearly as the calls could be heard over a subdued crowd who were given brief moments of cheer. The first of those came for the green and white as the ever-reliant Denis Corroon notched two early frees. Moate dropped an effort short and hit the post from a free before scoring in the 12th minute through Conor Bracken. Shamrocks went further ahead as Jordan Warde, Brian Guerin, and Fagan all pointed before the 25th minute. Marc Eivers, David Gavin, and Brendan Reilly were working well across the back for the Mullingar side, with Gavin a regular in attack too. Coming towards the interval, Moate managed to find a way through the overcrowded areas of the pitch. Firstly, Eoin Curran pointed after a fine catch from Eoin Bracken. Soon after, Robbie Forde added his first free to bring it back to a two-pointer at 5-3. Moate could have had a goal in stoppage time but the Shamrocks defence stood firm and cleared at the death.

With things close and in a game devoid of anything other than fleeting moments of excitement, a goal may have helped matters. And following Forde’s neat free, Ronan Murray raised the green flag for Liam McNeill’s men. Tobby Conteh the architect before Murray rifled passed Eoin Doran to put his side ahead 1-4 to 0-5. Moate then forced two quick turnovers and suddenly the spirits were lifted for the Carmelite-coloured side. Shamrocks had other ideas and their experience and determination forced the All-White’s into retreat mode somewhat. Corroon added his third free and just as the game entered the final quarter, Fagan popped up. Corroon and Conor O’Brien central to the move which eventually saw the long-serving Fagan blast home from close range.

Shamrocks looked to cement their 1-6 to 1-4 lead but Moate continued to have their say. Missed frees would be costly at the final whistle as Forde saw two drift wide. Jordan Warde had a goal disallowed with seven minute remaining and to compound his frustration, the nature of the landing from his jump meant he needed to be replaced through injury by Killian Daly. Moate could not conjure up the much-needed response and when Corroon landed his final free near the end, it was going to take a minor Moate miracle to salvage matters. Nothing materialised and Shamrocks take the win.

Scorers - Mullingar Shamrocks: D Corroon 0-4 (frees), P Fagan 1-1, B Guerin, J Warde 0-1 each.

Moate All-Whites: R Murray 1-0, R Forde 0-2 (frees), C Bracken, E Curran 0-1 each.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Marc Eivers, David Gavin, Dillon Matthews; David Coyne, Matthew O’Shea, Brendan Reilly; Conor O’Brien, Shane Ormsby; Brian Guerin, Paddy Fagan, John Reilly; Dean Moore, Denis Corroon, Jordan Warde. Subs used: Conn O’Hanlon for Coyne (43), Killian Daly for Warde (57, injured).

Moate All-Whites: Richard Price; Tom Gorman, Andrew Gorman, Luke Whitney; Daragh Lowry, James Bracken, Conor Bracken; Cathal O’Brien, Niall Harry; Sam Fannin, Eoghan Curran, Eoin Bracken; Tobby Conteh, Robbie Forde, Ronan Murray. Subs used: Billy Berry for Lowry (43), Dylan Nulty for Conteh (45).

Referee: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).