TEAM OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Mullingar Athletic U19s
Westmeath Examiner Community & Sports Awards
Mullingar Athletic’s under 19 team secured the CCFL Premier Division championship in style with a commanding 7-0 victory that capped off a fantastic season. The win guaranteed captain Dorian McDonald lifted the league trophy, a fitting reward for a talented squad that still has two more cups to compete for this season.
Athletic dominated from the start against Tullamore Town in the final game of the season at Gainstown, taking the lead just two minutes in when Daniel McCann’s free-kick found Nedas Bielias, who flicked the ball to Ross Clinton for a close-range header.
Athletic continued to create chances, doubling their lead at the half-hour mark as Clinton set up McCann, who calmly finished with his left foot. Clinton added a third before the break, and completed his first-half hat-trick with a penalty after Rian O’Neil was fouled, putting Athletic 4-0 up at half-time.
In the second half, Athletic kept up the pressure. Clinton’s cross from the wing deceived the Tullamore goalkeeper to make it 5-0. Ethan Bowman scored the sixth, bravely finishing a cross from Rian O’Farrell, before O’Farrell himself capped off the scoring with Athletic’s seventh goal.
Tullamore struggled against a solid Athletic defence, led by Cian Molloy and Bielas, who ensured a clean sheet on this memorable day. The team’s achievements have earned them deserved recognition and their hard work certainly paid off this season. The talented players clearly have a bright future in the game and are set to serve the club for many years to come.
Mullingar Athletic U19 team (versus Tullamore Town): John McCormack, Dorian McDonald, Nedas Bielias, Cian Molloy, Nielas Vitauskas, Bobby Archibold, Ryan Bitu, Rian O’Farrell, Ross Clinton, Daniel McCann, Ethan Bowman.
Subs: Matthew Rooney, Raymond Kafeletswe, Eoin Kilmurray, Ben Meredith, Cian McGrath.