Facile victory for impressive Mullingar men

Mullingar Shamrocks 2-19, St Malachy's 0-7

Mullingar Shamrocks produced an impressive display in their Westmeath Senior Football Championship Section 'B' encounter against St Malachy's at Kinnegad on Sunday afternoon, cruising to victory in a one-sided, tepid affair.

Outside of partisan Mullingar supporters, few would have tipped Mullingar Shamrocks to win this year's title, but they have delivered the goods in the five group games, not being threatened by anyone. They will go into next weekend's quarter-final tie against Tyrrellspass with a buzz of anticipation in the club and victory would earn them a semi-final clash against neighbours St Loman's. However, Sunday’s win comes with a health warning: they registered nine wides in the first half, and their execution was not at the level needed against the teams playing in the top section. Therefore, a significant improvement is required when they take on a Tyrrellspass side that has the benefit of a more competitive joust against St Loman's under their belt.

It was 2-10 to 0-0 in favour of Mullingar Shamrocks at half-time. The game started with the Mullingar men immediately taking control, and it was Dean Moore who opened the scoring with a well-taken point in the 5th minute, followed by another from Moore just two minutes later in the 7th minute to establish an early lead.

The pressure from Mullingar continued to mount, and in the 13th minute, John Reilly added to their tally with a fine point, giving them a solid platform. The 16th minute saw one of the best moves of the half: Matthew O'Shea and Dean Moore combined brilliantly, with Jordan Warde joining the attack on the loop to fire over another point.

Moments later a crucial mistake from a Seán Jackson kickout was pounced upon; Reilly quickly fed the ball to Dean Moore who made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net, putting Mullingar Shamrocks firmly in control.

Moore was again on target in the 18th minute, adding another point to his tally after a swift passing move. Paddy Fagan then got on the scoresheet in the 20th minute, converting another point for Shamrocks.

As the half progressed, Shane Ormsby added to the scoring with a point in the 25th minute, his shot tipped over the bar by Sean Jackson, the St Malachy's goalkeeper. Denis Corroon further extended Mullingar's lead with a point from a free in the 27th minute, before adding a neat left-footed point just before the half-time whistle in the 30th minute.

The first half ended with another costly error from St Malachy's during a kickout, allowing Jordan Warde to palm the ball into the net after an unselfish pass from Moore, who had seized on the mistake. Conn O'Hanlon closed out the half with a point for Mullingar Shamrocks in the 31st minute, leaving them in total control at the break.

St Malachy's finally found the target 90 seconds into the second half with a superb point from Morgan Gavigan, who fired over from 45 metres to register their first score of the day.

However, Mullingar Shamrocks were quick to respond, as Paddy Fagan added another point in the second minute of the half. In the fourth minute, Matthew O'Shea fisted the ball over the bar after a well-coordinated move involving Denis Corroon, Dean Moore, and Fagan.

Fagan added yet another point, continuing Mullingar's relentless pressure. In the ninth minute, O'Shea was again involved, setting up Jordan Warde for another point.

St Malachy's managed to pull back another point in the 10th minute through Jack Murphy, but Mullingar Shamrocks were already too far ahead. O'Shea once again set up Dean Moore for a well-taken point, pushing the lead to 2-15 to 0-2 as the match entered the final quarter.

Morgan Gavigan then scored an excellent point in the 19th minute, before Jordan Warde kept Shamrocks in command as he fired over when a kickout went astray. In the same minute, Fagan added a point on the run after receiving a pass from Ormsby.

Darren Ruane provided some resistance for St Malachy's with a point in the 22nd minute, but Dean Moore responded almost immediately for Mullingar Shamrocks, pointing from a goal chance.

Moore had another opportunity to extend the lead in the 25th minute, but his shot went over the bar for another point. St Malachy's managed to score a terrific long-range free off the ground from 50 metres in the 27th minute, followed by a free from Neal Kirby in the 30th minute, but the outcome was already beyond doubt.

Dean Moore capped off his outstanding performance by slotting over a free in the 29th minute, securing a final point for Mullingar Shamrocks and wrapping up a comprehensive victory. They could have added a couple of goals, but Paul O'Sullivan cleared off the line (37th minute), and Sean Jackson saved to deny Brian Guerin (60th minute).

Scorers - Mullingar Shamrocks: D Moore 1-7 (0-1f), J Warde 1-2, P Fagan 0-4, D Corroon 0-2 (1f), C O'Hanlon, J Reilly, M O'Shea, and S Ormsby 0-1 each. St Malachy's: M Gavigan 0-3 (1f), N Kirby 0-2 (1f), J Murphy and D Ruane 0-1 each.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Marc Eivers, David Gavin, Dillon Matthews; Conn O'Hanlon, Matthew O'Shea, Brendan Reilly; Shane Ormsby, Conor O'Brien; Paddy Fagan, Denis Corroon, John Reilly; Brian Guerin, Dean Moore, Jordan Warde. Subs: Killian Daly for O'Brien (h-t), David Coyne for O'Hanlon (38), Lorcan Smyth for Corroon (43).

St Malachy's: Seán Jackson; Conall Fagan, Aaron Glennon, Paul O'Sullivan; David Maloney, Liam Varley, Shane Clavin; Morgan Gavigan, Stephen Fagan; Fergal O'Brien, Conor Murphy, Odhran Gavigan; Jack Gallagher, Darren Ruane, Neal Kirby. Subs: Jack Murphy for Clavin (h-t), Jack Mulligan for Gallagher (40), Eoin Kiernan for O'Brien (46), F O'Brien for Varley (50).

Referee: Enda Kelly (Castledaly).