Mullingar facing battle for 1B survival after defeat
Leinster League Division 1B: Wicklow 10, Mullingar 0
With games being cancelled due to the weather, the only game cancelled in Division 1 was the Clondalkin vs Carlow game. Ironically, it was the only game in the division that didn’t matter at the top or bottom of the league.
Boyne needed to beat Tullow in order to win the league, Wicklow needed to beat Mullingar and hope Tullow would win in Drogheda. Longford needed to beat Cill Dara and hope Mullingar lost to Wicklow to avoid the playoff.
When the dust settled, wins for Boyne, Wicklow and Longford had the result of Mullingar finishing seventh in the league and facing a playoff with De La Salle, Palmerston to see which team plays in Division 1B next season.
On a heavy and windy day in Wicklow, which did not bode well for any type of running game, a greasy ball cross wind and very cold conditions prevailed.
Mullingar played with the aid of the wind in the first half, although it was more across the pitch rather than from end to end. The conditions made for a forwards-dominated game with a lot of short plays and quite a number of knock-ons.
Mullingar were handicapped after just five minutes when Niall Hannon had to go off injured. Wicklow had the best of the first 10 minutes and Mullingar spent a good number of those minutes defending their line. This they did, and managed to turn the ball over and escape from their five-metre line.
About 20 minutes into the game, Mullingar’s Aaron Glennon broke down the right wing and raced into the Wicklow 22. With the Wicklow winger in front of him, Aaron passed to the supporting Paul Maxwell, but unfortunately with the greasy ball, a knock on resulted.
Mullingar spent most of the rest of the first half in the Wicklow half of the pitch but could not muster a score. Henry Reilly had to be replaced before half time due to an injury.
The second half was no different from the first in that balls were being dropped by both sides as the pitch was getting heavier in the wet and mucky conditions.
Wicklow broke the duck midway through the second half with a penalty to go 3-0 up. Mullingar, try as they did, could not penetrate the Wicklow defence, and it was Wicklow who got the only try of the game with about five minutes left to seal Mullingar’s fate.
The final whistle came, and the news of Longford’s win meant Mullingar would be in the playoffs.
The seconds’ game was cancelled due to an unplayable pitch in Wicklow.
Next weekend is a free weekend, and the Mullingar club prepare for the second Provincial Towns Cup game at home on Saturday March 5 against Edenderry.
The following day (Sunday), the first team travel to Enniscorthy for their Cup game. Next weekend is also a free weekend for Mullingar’s women’s team.
Mullingar 1st XV: Chris Fox, Henry Reilly, Johnny Moran, Daryl Quinn, Darach Geraghty, Alex Moran, Niall Hannon, Paddy Doran, Thomas Campbell, Stuart Flynn, Aaron Glennon, Paul Maxwell, Anthony McGivney, Eoghan Moore, Daire Conway. Subs: Ben Glennon, Lemeki Vaipulu, Jamey Taaffe, Cormac Dunne, Sean Cronin.
Result: Mullingar 7, Balbriggan 10
Leinster Premier League U16 Girls: Mullingar 24, Naas 17
Leinster Youths Cup U14 Boys: Kilkenny 22, Mullingar 26