Mullingar Town claim first Div 1 title in over a decade
Mullingar Town 5, Longford Wanderers 3
Mullingar Town travelled to Longford on Saturday and despite going 2-0 down in a slow start, they recovered and won 5-3 - thanks to a four goal salvo from Johnny Keegan - to claim the Division 1 league as champions in a first league title for Mullingar Town in over ten years.
Indeed, this squad, having an average age of 39 and playing in a league of young lads, demonstrated that age is but a number.
Mullingar Town fell behind to two quick-fire goals inside 10 minutes and it looked like the celebrations would be put on ice, but this squad is filled with experienced players in the twilight of their careers and they fought back. Just before half-time Derek McNicholas ran onto his own ball to make it 2-1 with a good finish.
The second half saw Mullingar Town play into a strong wind and it was disastrous as they fell 3-1 down, but within moments Johnny Keegan grabbed his first of four when released by Darragh Kiernan to make it 3-2.
The visitors were in the ascendancy now and introduced Jack Hall on the left and moved Kiernan into central midfield alongside skipper Jamie Loran. The switches paid dividends as Loran won possession and Kiernan found Keegan again to level up the game at 3-3.
Hall drove down the wing with 15 minutes to go and his cross found Keegan who headed into the net for his hat-trick and make it 3-4 giving Mullingar Town the lead. At this stage they had one hand on the league trophy.
Keegan wasn’t finished and once again latched on to a Jack Hall ball to make it 3-5 and job done. There was compete elation at the end as Mullingar Town secured the league having gone unbeaten in the league and winning every league game since Christmas.
It was a proud day, but next it’s on to the Division 1 Cup where Mullingar Town entertain Ballymahon in the quarter-final next Saturday.
The management team of Mark Brady and Jason McGrath will be hoping for more of the same.
Team: Alan Farrell, Stevie McNamee, Gary McMahon, Jason McGrath, Mick O'Rourke, Darragh Kiernan, David Masterson, Derek McNicholas, Jamie Loran, Michael Loran, Johnny Keegan. Subs used: Barry Egerton and Jack Hall.