Hat-trick of second half goals secure minor title for Tubberclair

Tubberclair 4-5, Mullingar Shamrocks 1-7

Tubberclair emerged victorious in the Westmeath Minor Football Championship final at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday, overcoming Mullingar Shamrocks by seven points in a match that echoed the drama of last year's U17 decider.

Tubberclair’s more direct and aggressive approach in the second half proved the difference, with three well-taken goals sealing a richly deserved victory.

This encounter, a repeat of the previous year's U17 final, had all the ingredients of a tense and hard-fought affair. Tubberclair, having let a seven-point lead slip last year, returned determined not to make the same mistake. Mullingar Shamrocks were too cautious in their approach and their tentative play was punished by a physically stronger Tubberclair side. Ultimately, it was Tubberclair’s direct approach, led by outstanding performances from midfielder Tom Bourke and centre-back Kailin Blessing, that saw them through.

Mullingar Shamrocks held a narrow 1-3 to 1-2 lead at half-time, with Ryan Kelly’s early penalty and a late point from Killian Mooney giving them the edge. However, Tubberclair’s Seán Whittaker responded with a goal after a long ball from Bourke, making it clear that Tubberclair would not go down easily.

The second half, though, belonged to Tubberclair. They emerged from the dressing room with renewed energy and quickly found their rhythm: Bourke won the throw-in and set up Kealan Connell for a point after just 15 seconds and that set the tone.

Kealan Connell struck their second goal in the 50th minute, which was followed by a superb finish from Jack O'Donnell, putting Tubberclair in firm control. Mullingar Shamrocks, missing the influential Christoir Ormsby from the start, struggled to gain a foothold in the match, and even when Ormsby was introduced, they were unable to break down the resilient Tubberclair defence.

As Mullingar Shamrocks pushed for a late goal, launching high balls into the square in search of a breakthrough, Tubberclair stood firm. Kailin Blessing was instrumental at the back, repelling several Shamrocks attacks, while Bourke and Taylor Slevin dominated the midfield, winning the aerial battle hands down.

Slevin capped off an excellent individual performance with a thumping goal in the third minute of injury time, putting the final nail in Shamrocks’ coffin. His goal was the third of the half for Tubberclair, sealing an emphatic win, a fitting way to close out a commanding second half display.

For Tubberclair manager Martin McCabe, this victory was a proud moment and testament to the club’s dedication to underage development. Currently playing at intermediate level, Tubberclair will be hopeful that this crop of talented young players can help elevate the club to senior football in the coming years.

Mullingar Shamrocks, on the other hand, will rue their cautious approach. Their focus on retaining possession rather than attacking with intent left them vulnerable, and despite some spirited attempts late on, they were unable to penetrate Tubberclair’s well-organised defence.

In the end, Tubberclair’s physicality, superior game plan, and the decisive goals in the second half made the difference, and they were worthy winners of the Westmeath Minor Football Championship title.

The winners learned from last year and their direct and physically imposing style, combined with their sharpness in front of goal, proved too much for a Mullingar Shamrocks side that struggled to build momentum, especially in the second half.

OUTSTANDING

Mullingar Shamrocks made a bright start, taking an early lead through a Ryan Kelly penalty in the fifth minute. The penalty was awarded after Alex Sheerin was fouled inside the box, and Kelly converted with a powerful finish to put his team in control.

However, Tubberclair hit back with a goal of their own 10 minutes later. Seán Whittaker capitalised on a long ball from Tom Bourke, cutting inside from a tricky angle. His initial shot was partially blocked by Adam Buckley in the Shamrocks’ goal, but Whittaker followed up to finish the chance, bringing the sides level.

Mullingar responded through a Conor Heffernan free, before Tubberclair's Ruairí Dolan pointed from a free to tie the scores again. Whittaker was on target once more before Heffernan levelled things up just before the break with another free. However, Mullingar Shamrocks produced the best piece of football in the first half when Ben McNamee, Paul Keating, and Sheerin combined to set up Killian Mooney for a stylish point, giving Mullingar a slender lead at half-time.

Tubberclair came out firing in the second half, with Kealan Connell levelling matters just 15 seconds after the restart, thanks to great work by Tom Bourke from the throw-in. Mullingar briefly edged ahead again when Mooney pointed after another neat pass from McNamee, but Tubberclair quickly regained control through the outstanding Tom Bourke, who was instrumental in setting up many of their attacks.

As the game entered the final quarter, Tubberclair took a decisive lead. Kealan Connell found the net after a well-worked team move involving Thomas Farrell and Whittaker, putting them ahead 2-5 to 1-6 after 50 minutes. Three minutes’ later, Mullingar Shamrocks were reduced to 14 men when Gavin Pierce was shown a straight red card, and Tubberclair wasted no time in taking advantage. A superb move between Dolan and Bourke set up Jack O’Donnell to drive a low shot into the net, extending Tubberclair’s lead.

Mullingar Shamrocks battled hard to respond, with Kelly converting a free to keep them within touching distance, but the final nail in the coffin came in injury-time when Bourke once again found space, delivering the ball to Taylor Slevin, who unleashed a thunderous shot into the top corner from 20 metres. It was a fitting end to an impressive Tubberclair performance, sealing their seven-point victory.

Tubberclair’s attacking style, superior physicality, and aerial dominance - particularly in midfield where Bourke and Slevin excelled - were key to their success. The two sides showed great spirit, but the winners’ superior physicality, and aerial dominance — particularly in midfield where Bourke and Slevin excelled — were key to their success. On the other hand, Shamrocks failed to find the attacking spark needed to truly test their opponents.

After the final whistle, Westmeath Coiste na nÓg Chairman Barry Kelly presented the Paddy Walshe memorial cup to Tubberclair captain Paul Keegan, capping off a memorable day for the club.

Scorers - Tubberclair: S Whittaker and K Connell 1-1 each, R Dolan 0-3 (3f), J O’Donnell and T Slevin 1-0 each. Mullingar Shamrocks: R Kelly 1-2 (1-0 pen., 0-2f), C Heffernan 0-3 (2f), K Mooney 0-2.

Tubberclair: Peter Bourke; Daire Burke, Caimin Dolan, Liam Staunton; Jack O’Donnell, Kailin Blessing, Matthew Lynch; Tom Bourke, Taylor Slevin; Thomas Farrell, Ruairí Dolan, Kealan Connell; Seán Whittaker, Paul Keegan, James Connaughton. Subs: Seán Keegan for M Lynch (HT), Tiernan Mitchell for J Connaughton (39).

Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Ty Masterson, Adam Glynn; James Flynn, Peter Finch, Ben McNamee; Killian Mooney, Ryan Kelly; Paul Keating, Conor Heffernan, Callum Rigney; Gavin Pierce, Donnacha Maguire, Alex Sheerin. Subs: Christoir Ormsby for P Keating (58), Matthew Shaw for Mooney (58).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Milltown).