News Detail

St Lomans Mullingar Club Notes 29/07/2024:

Shay Murtagh Senior Championship:

St Lomans Mullingar 0-11 Tang 1-06

Last Saturday our senior men made a rare trip to Ballymore to take on Tang in the second round of the senior championship. Both sides went into the game off the back of wins, the blues defeating Athlone and Tang beating Coralstown Kinnegad in a shock result. The tightness of the ground lent itself to a great atmosphere and the Ballymore pitch was in excellent condition.

Tang were keen to cause a second upset in the space of a week and hit the first two points courtesy of Adam Neary and Shane Hanley. Peter Foy opened the scoring for his team after thirteen minutes with an excellent effort with the outside of the boot. After this a hat-trick of John Heslin frees put his team in the driving seat. Adam Neary replied for Tang, but it was cancelled out by a placed ball from Ronan O’Toole to leave the saints two to the good at the interval.

Paddy Dowdall’s men were in complete control in the third quarter. An outstanding double from Heslin followed by two additional scores via TJ Cox and Sean Flanagan gave the Mullingar side breathing space. Neary hit back for the underdogs with a double, but a Heslin free and O’Toole’s point from play undid the damage. Conor Marlow brought the deficit back to five in injury time. Tang found the net with the last kick of the game after a goalmouth scramble to put some gloss on the score-line, but it was the county champions who ran out two-point winners.

Despite the great atmosphere, this was not a game that would have been enjoyable for neutrals, with defences on top throughout. The first half saw more pushing and shoving than actual scores with tensions threatening to boil over at times. Tang’s blanket proved difficult for Lomans to break down, but they eventually managed to get past a stubborn Tang outfit, while having to work hard for it. However, it isn’t Tang’s job to entertain, and they are more than entitled to play this way.

Such was the nature of the game it was hard to analyse individuals. It was probably three players who stood out for the blues. TJ Cox had an excellent second half and brought a great intensity and work-rate in the forwards. David Whelan read the game very well in defence and snuffed out many Tang attacks. Man of the match though is our captain and talisman John Heslin. Heslin’s ability to shoot over the blanket and his near flawless free taking was critical in getting the victory. Next up is Caulry in two weeks’ time with details to be confirmed.

Team; Jason Daly, Oisín Hogan, Darragh O’Keefe, David Whelan, Enda Gaffney, Conor O’Donoghue, Sam McCartan, John Heslin (0.05,0.03f), Sean Flanagan (0.01), Peter Foy (0.01), Ronan O’Toole (0.02,0.01f), Kevin Regan, Danny McCartan, Fola Ayorinde, TJ Cox (0.01). Subs used; Rory Sheahan, Kelvin Reilly.

Clarke’s Bar Junior Championship:

St Lomans Mullingar 2-12 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-12

Last Friday night our juniors visited Springfield in a local derby to take on Mullingar Shamrocks. Both sides came into the game after opening wins and were keen to make it a double. The Blues began well with two points courtesy of Chris Gilbert and Mark Tunney. Shamrocks briefly levelled but four consecutive points via Tristan Graham, Riley Sheahan and a double from Gilbert gave Lomans a four-point cushion. The hosts hit back though and three scores on the bounce saw the sides separated by the minimum at the interval.

The away side began the second half with the ideal tonic, a good team move culminated in Mark Tunney fisting the ball into the Shamrocks net to to give his team much need breathing space. Ross Corroon’s double halved the deficit before the sides traded scores with Daniel McCann opening his account for the evening. Shane Mulderry increased the lead to three with his first point, before a pointed effort dropped short and landed to Cillian Plunkett who ably fisted the ball home to all but end the tie as a contest.

The sides continued to exchange points in the final quarter. Mulderry adding a double, McCann increasing his tally and Seanaí Bracken opening his account. Ross Corroon got the scores for his side, all of which coming from placed balls. When referee Mick Gordon blew the full-time whistle, Adam Carroll’s side ran out deserving six-point victors over an experienced Mullingar Shamrocks team. Two wins from two for the saints, who need one more victory to confirm a quarter final place.

On the night the blue half of Mullingar performed well for the most part but could be accused of being sloppy at times. They also had Rory Matthews to thank for two excellent saves in the second half. The full back line provided the base for the win with Nathan Lally exceptional at full-back. Riley Sheahan impressed throughout at wing-half back. Up front though it was Mark Tunney, the match-winner who continues his excellent run of form and picks up another man of the match award. Our campaign continues in two weeks’ time.

Team; Rory Matthews, Tristan Johnson, Nathan Lally, Sean Kelly, Seanaí Bracken (0.01), Ciaran Smyth, Riley Sheahan (0.01), Cillian Plunkett (1.00), Conor Regan, Shane Mulderry (0.03), Chris Gilbert (0.03, 0.02f), Tristan Graham (0.01), Mark Tunney (1.01), Tadhg Kenny, Daniel McCann (0.02). Subs used; Paddy Dowdall, Adam O’Connor, Ross Clinton, Thomas Meehan, Jack Tyrrell.

Junior B Championship:

St. Lomans Mullingar 2-12nMilltownpass 0-16

Last Thursday saw our 3rd side travel to Milltownpass to play the first round of this year’s Junior B championship.

It was very satisfying to see the return of several Blues who were making their first appearance of the season, players like Oisin Tyrrell, Seanie Lancaster, Jimmy Kelly, Nathan Sleator and Darren Kavanagh, all of whom acquitted themselves very well. Conan O’Hara also returned to action after picking up a nasty injury earlier on in the League, Conan was in excellent form and scored 3 lovely points for good measure.

 With Dano Fitzsimons unavailable for goalkeeping duties, it was left to Frank Kavanagh to deputise, Frank was assured throughout and his massive kickouts caused numerous problems for the Milltownpass half backline, these problems were thoroughly exploited by former senior player David Morgan, Davy caused the Milltowpass defence untold problems and was Lomans most influential player over the 60 minutes.

Another former senior player Adam Carroll captained the side for the day, Adam belied his age with a rock-solid performance throughout, his experience was invaluable and his influence on the entire backline was very evident, Adams two corner backs Jack Tyrrell and Mark O’Gara were solid throughout.

Both of the Blues corner forwards, Byron Graham and Ross Clinton, raised green flags, Adam O’Connor gave his usual solid performance on the half forward line and Nedas Bielicas had a controlling influence at midfield. Overall this was a very satisfying victory, next up will be either Tyrrellspass or St. Marys Rochfortbridge.

Team; Frank Kavanagh, Jack Tyrrell, Adam Carroll (c), Mark O’Gara, Oisin Tyrrell, Seanie Lancaster, Jimmy Kelly (0-1), Darren Kavanagh, Nedas Bielicas (0-1), Nathan Sleator, Davy Morgan (0-6), Adam O’Connor, Byron Graham (1-0), Conan O’Hara (0-3) & Ross Clinton (1-1).

Congratulations:

A terrific achievement by our underage star Lily Walsh, who won the U14 1500m title at the National Juvenile Track & Field Championships over the weekend. Congratulations Lily.

Fixtures:

Thursday 1^st August

Village Barn Ladies Senior Football Championship:

St Lomans Mullingar vs St Mary’s Rochfortbridge  at 7pm in Home Instead Lakepoint Park.

Best wishes to all our teams, tickets are available via our social media and the Westmeath GAA app. All games will be available via the Whats The Scor App for anybody unable to attend.

Club Lotto:

Draw Date: Monday 22^nd July

This week’s jackpot: €3,800.00

Numbers drawn: 7,16,19,26

No Jackpot winner

Lucky dip winders (€50 each): Pj McManus and Susan Eades

Next week’s jackpot: €3,900.00

Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 29th July

Remember it could be you!