Goal-crazy Shamrocks take U14 Shield at The Downs expense

An astonishing seven goals propelled Mullingar Shamrocks to the Westmeath U14 Division 1 Shield title against a determined and skilled home side in The Downs last Bank Holiday Monday morning, with Colm Clinton netting four of those, including one outrageous effort which nestled in the top-corner direct from a 45. Mullingar Shamrocks overcame Athlone in their semi-final only the previous Friday night with a strong victory while Na Dúnta had not lined out since losing their last outing to Lilliput Gaels over three weeks ago.

On a brilliant surface in Breedon Kevin Molloy Park, despite the inclement weather of late, it was Anthony Clinton’s side who started fastest and never looked back. An inch-perfect pass from the outstanding Shay Leavy to Carl Keane ended with the full-forward’s strike nestling in the top-corner, out of reach of Ben Carroll in goals. Ben Loughlin responded for the black and amber with the first of his tally of eight frees after a foul on Adam Kiernan. Goals two and three soon followed for Shamrocks before the tenth minute. Referee Eoin Gorman, officiating his first county final, rightly awarded a penalty after a foul on Keane. Scott Farrelly stepped up to calmly slot home. His half-back partner, Leavy, saw his effort deflect to the net two minutes later and the green jerseys were 3-0 to 0-1 ahead.

The Downs reply came from Diarmuid Graham’s fine point but overplaying was costing the home side at times. Points followed from Oisín Coyne, Adam Hughes, and Loughlin (free) but before the interval, another goal hit the net for Shamrocks as Clinton became the fourth different player to register a green flag inside the opening thirty. A Darragh Daly free extended the lead and somehow Leavy drove wide with the goal at his mercy. Nevertheless, Shamrocks went in 4-1 to 0-5 ahead despite both sides registering five scores each.

Things improved dramatically for Na Dúnta in the second period but despite scoring 1-8, Shamrocks ability to hit the net killed their endeavours. The half was barely two minutes alive when Clinton rifled at goal. Despite the best efforts of Ben Carroll, the power was enough to send it to the net – an incredible run by Farrelly made it all happen. Carroll was called upon several times in the half and produced some superb saves, not least from Keane in the 37th minute from point-blank range.

Goal six came when Clinton’s 45’ flew at speed into the top-corner before Eoin Reddan added a fine point from a tough angle. At the other end, Shamrocks were intent on keeping a clean sheet, with Manus Kelly and MJ Burke central to the defensive efforts. Loughlin (free) and Keane exchanged points before substitute Callum Cleary pointed well off his right for Kieran Carroll’s team. A foul on Aidan Quinlan gave Loughlin another chance, which he duly took. When Aidan Tuite slotted home for The Downs with ten left, the gap was down to ten – 6-3 to 1-8.

The last score for the Springfield side came from Clinton who fired from long-range to claim his fourth goal in a personal milestone. The remaining scores all came from The Downs attack with Loughlin adding three frees and a beautiful score from play. Tuite also added his own white flag after Conor Rijksen set him up. Clinton, incredibly, had the ball in the net again but referee Gorman was on-the-spot to see the foul on Ben Carroll. An eight-point win for Shamrocks despite The Downs hitting the target more. Goals win games and this was testament to the phrase.

Afterwards, Barry Kelly, chairman of Coiste na nÓg Iarmhí, presented the Div 1 Shield to Shay Leavy and Colm Clinton.

Scorers – Mullingar Shamrocks: C Clinton 4-0 (1 goal 45), C Keane 1-1, S Farrelly (pen), S Leavy 1-0 each, D Daly (f), E Reddan 0-1 each

The Downs: B Loughlin 0-9 (8f), A Tuite 1-1, A Hughes, D Graham, O Coyne, C Cleary 0-1 each

Mullingar Shamrocks: Tom McCaul; Killian Hand, Manus Kelly, Cian Traynor; MJ Burke, Shay Leavy, Scott Farrelly; Marius Buividavicius, Oliver Keane; Theo Kelly, Colm Clinton, Eoin Reddan; Darragh Daly, Carl Keane, Fionn Ledwith. Subs used: Eddie Leavy for Ledwith (38), Conor Matthews for Hand (42), Sam Phillips for Daly (51), Conan Kelly for T Kelly (59).

The Downs: Ben Carroll; Wesley Flynn, Aidan Tuite, James Nea; Adam Hughes, Diarmuid Graham, Alexander Graham; Ciarán McGrath, Ben Loughlin; Fionn Connolly, Adam Kiernan, Aidan Quinlan; Conor Walters, Oisín Coyne, Ciarán Casserly. Subs used: Callum Cleary for D Graham (h-t), Conor Quinlan for Coyne (38), Conor Donohue for A Graham (40), Ronan Orme for McGrath (42), Alex Kingston for Connolly (51), Conor Rijksen for A Quinlan (51).

Referee: Eoin Gorman (St Mary’s Rochfortbridge).