New sponsors unveiled as Mullingar Town deny Ballymahon

Combined Counties Cup: Mullingar Town 5 - 2 Ballymahon

Mullingar Town welcomed league rivals Ballymahon to D’Alton Park on Saturday on a perfect day for a match.

Prior to kick off there was a minute's silence held for Bernie, mother of Town player, underage manager and all round club man Stephen Markey, who sadly passed away in recent days. May she rest in peace.

The usual black and red kit was swapped out and Town were sporting their new third kit which is orange and kindly sponsored by Bravo Contracts Ltd.

The home side flew out of the blocks and scored after only two minutes when debutant Derek McNicholas squared the ball to Michael Fadian who made no mistake making it 1-0. Town doubled their lead after 11 minutes when a Jamie Loran corner was met powerfully by Dean Kavanagh’s head for 2-0.

Town were dealt a blow when they lost Fadian to injury after 15 minutes and he was replaced by Cian McGrath. In fairness to the visitors they regrouped and pulled a goal back after 20 minutes and began to grow into the game.

The second half started well for Ballymahon when the scored only minutes in from a corner for 2-2 and it was game on. After the hour mark the Mullingar men brought on Oisin Tyrrell and he made his mark on the game scoring as soon as he came on after good work from Darragh Kiernan and Jamie Loran - 3-2. Loran was outstanding all day and got his reward when he scored to make it 4-2.

Tyrell thought he had doubled his tally but his goal was ruled out for offside but he didn’t have to wait long before scoring again for 5-2. The back four of Michael Loran, Gary McMahon, Jason McGrath and Stephen McNamee were solid all game in front of the returning Adrian Rapacki who was good in goals.

Kavanagh and David Masterson marshalled the middle well whilst Loran, Kiernan and McNicholas were all effective. The subs all played their part in a game where it was a squad effort in brushing aside Ballymahon on route to the next round of the cup.

Man of the match was Jamie Loran who was relentless.

Next up for Mullingar Town is a league game away to the only side to inflict a league defeat on them in Ballyboro, coincidentally the same team that they will also face in the next round of the cup.

Team: Adrian Rapacki, Stephen McNamee, Jason McGrath, Gary McMahon, Michael Loran, Dean Kavanagh, David Masterson, Derek McNicholas, Michael Fadian, Jamie Loran, Darragh Kiernan.

Subs used: Cian McGrath, Oisín Tyrrell, Gerry Bowen, Mick O Rourke and Breece Fadian. Unused: Barry Egerton.