St Lomans GAA Club Notes 16/10/2023:
Under 13 Boys Division 1 Championship Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 0-08 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-06
Last Sunday morning St Loman’s Mullingars under 13 team travelled to Ballynacargy for a much-anticipated Mullingar derby to face neighbours Mullingar Shamrocks less than twenty-four hours after their minor success against Tubberclair. A brisk day was coupled with sunshine and meant conditions for football were ideal. Scores were scarce in the early period of the game, captain Michael Brennan got the blues off the mark with a beautifully measured forty-five. Oliver Keane quickly snuffed out the lead with a lovely, placed ball to get Shamrocks off the mark.
The saints endured a purple patch in the second quarter with four unanswered points via a free from Luke Fitzsimons, a Jack Corroon point from play and a pair of free’s from Cathal Kilmurray. Oliver Keane added to his tally to reduce the arrears, but this was cancelled out courtesy of a sensational long-range score from Michael Brennan which saw the blue half of Mullingar lead by four at the interval.
The second half saw the green half of Mullingar fight back and halve the deficit via points from Scott Farrelly and substitute Eddie Leavy. The Blue’s had to wait twenty-four minutes for their first score of the half, but it was once again that man Michael Brennan who provided the finishing touch. Cathal Kilmurray swiftly added another to increase his tally and make it a two-score game.
Shamrocks reduced the game to a single score via a placed ball from full-forward Colm Clinton. Clinton had another free in the dying moments with a chance to level the affair with a goal but the army of blues defenders on the line managed to divert the ball over the crossbar. Shamrocks searched for a late goal to steal victory, but the Lomans defence held firm and Enda Kelly blew the final whistle and it was the men from Lakepoint that overcame their Springfield counterparts.
It must be said overall this was a superb game of football and both sides represented their clubs and the town brilliantly with a good honest contest. Defenders Jack Daly and Eoin McGinley were brilliant in the full back line for the blues. Cathal Kilmurray, Billy Lambden and Eoin Fitzsimons all impressed up front as well. However, it was the captain Michale Brennan who lead by example and stood head and shoulders above the rest with three points on the day.
Hard luck to Mullingar Shamrocks who put in a tremendously valiant effort but just fell short. However, no doubt that this team will be here for years to come with some excellent performances from the likes of Scott Farrelly, Oliver Keane and Theo Kelly. Ultimately though St Loman’s were just ever so slightly the better side and were deserving of their victory. After the game Michael Brennan was presented with the cup from Barry Kelly and wild celebration ensued. Finally, well done to each player on both sides for a super game of football. Finally, a huge thanks to the management team of Aidan Canning, Enda Lambden and John McDonnell for their work with the lads throughout the year. Also a well done to our division four side that booked their place in the final with a fine win in Delvin on the same day.
St Lomans Mullingar Team; James McHugh, Conor Raleigh, Jack Daly, Eoin McGinley, Harry Brennan, Sean O’Connell, Michael Long, Shane Canning, Michael Brennan (0.03, 0.01 45), Billy Lambden, Senan Brady, Luke Fitzsimons (0.01, 0.01f), Jack Corroon (0.01), Killian Raleigh, Cathal Kilmurray (0.03, 0.02f). Subs used; Paidí Slevin, Matthew Tully. Rest of panel; Cian McDonnell, Dovas Virektis, Shane McSherry, Louis Bracken, Jamie Lyons, Josh O’Brien, James McDonnell.
Under 14 Girls Division 1 Championship Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 2-05 Garrycastle 7-06
Hard luck to our under 14 girls who fell short at the final hurdle in the downs last Saturday and were forced to settle for silver on this occasion. Our girls were rocked by the concession of three early goals. Despite goals from Evie Kilmurray and Ruby Higgins coupled with points from Kilmurray and Eibhlin Casey the Blues trailed at the interval.
Four second half goals from the Shannon siders proved too far for the Saints despite points from Mia Lambden, Evie Kilmurray and Megan Charles. Our girls were defeated by a sixteen-point margin, however this was not a fair reflection of the difference between the sides despite Garrycastle being deserving winners. Congratulations to Garrycastle who take back the under 14 crown after last year’s defeat.
Despite the defeat our girls can hold their head up high for a great year and they showed great spirit and fought until the very last whistle. The likes of Sarah Davitt, Megan Charles and Evie Kilmurray all impressing on the day. Thanks to the girls for all their hard work over the year. Final thanks to the management team of Domhnall Kilmurray, Alan Quinn, Maurice Gouldsberry, Ted Cronin, Benji Norris, Ciaran McDonell, Charmaine Corcoran and Shirley Daly.
Team; Rhianna Shaw Norris, Leah Heffernan, Sarah Davitt, Maisie Daly, Rachel Gouldsberry, Katie McDonnell, Rachel Walsh, Eibhlin Casey, Eleanor Corcoran, Megan Charles, Evie Kilmurray, Asha McCormack, Lucy Kilmurray, Ruby Higgins, Muireann Galvin. Subs; Brooke Darby, Lana McDermott, Tegan Charles, Ailbhe Gillic, Sadbh Kiernan, Cassie Heffernan, Eva Dowdall, Aishling Kilmurray, Kara McKeown, Mia Lambden, Isabelle McDonnell, Mikayla Poynton, Kaila Scally, Kayleigh Canning, Orla Casey.
Under 15 Boys Division 1 Championship semi-final:
St Lomans Mullingar 3-20 The Downs 4-07 AET
Last Friday evening there was a wintery feel about Home Instead Lakepoint Park when St Lomans welcomed the Downs on a desperately cold night. The first half didn’t go to plan for the home side who ended up trailing by eight points at the interval after conceding three first half goals. At one stage the black and Amber lead by ten points but the blues briefly fought back to trail by 3.05 to 0.06 at the interval. Although Aaron Connaire for the Downs ran riot at times, there was a feel that the hosts were well in the game and just not making it count on the scoreboard.
The Second half saw the home side slowly chip away at the lead and hit 1-05 unanswered to level the affair, inspired by a stunning goal from substitute Cian Matthews. The Black and Amber got their first score of the half in injury time to get their noses in front and it looked like they had snatched victory but a last gasp point from Cillian Walsh forced extra time and only reinforced the never say die attitude of the saints.
Despite the concession of another goal in the first minute of extra time, the blues once again rallied to come back. Goals from MJ Long and another for Mathews saw the blues run their counterparts off the field in extra time. The Blues can now look forward to another final where they take on a much-fancied Shandonagh side in the final.
In truth it was wonderfully entertaining game and the spirit and attacking football on display was a sight to behold. In terms of individual performers Ross Tully was superb at centre-half back, along with Aodan Saunder and Killian Reilly in defence. Lucas Nugent was outstanding from half-time onwards, as was Conor Maleady.
However, it was the introduction of substitutes such as MJ Long, Andy Sinnott and Oisin Scally which really helped turn the tide. It would be wrong not to mention man of the match, Cian Matthews. It’s not often a substitute gets that accolade, but he kicked 2-04 and showed tremendous energy all night and was the catalyst for the comeback. Well done to all our lads on another great weekend for the club.
Team; Seamus O’Brien, Aodan Saunder, Lucas Nugent, Adam McCormack, Niall Brady, RossTully, Keelan Reilly, Shane Windsor, Cormac Murphy, Conor Casey, Conor Maleady, Cillian Walsh, Ben Smith, Enda Moran, Sean Byrne. Subs used; Cian Matthews, Andy Sinnott, Oisin Scally, MJ Long,
Fixtures:
Thursday 19th October:
Under 16 Ladies Division 1 Championship final
St Lomans Mullingar vs Garrycastle at 8pm in Castledaly (TBC)
Saturday 21st October:
Under Boys Division 1 Championship final:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Shandonagh at 4pm in Ballynacargy
Sunday 22nd October:
Leinster Club Championship Preliminary round:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Shelmaliers at 2pm in TEG Cusack Park
Tickets will be available via the link in our social media
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Monday 9th October
This week’s jackpot: €2,100.00
Numbers drawn: 1,9,15,21
No Jackpot winner
Lucky dip winders (€50 each): Barbara Dunne and Deirdre Leavy
Next week’s jackpot: €2,200.00
Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 16th October
Remember it could be you!
