Spectators in Springfield on Thursday evening were treated to a feast of goals by the Under-14 girls of Mullingar Shamrocks and St Loman’s in the LGF Under-14 championship. Clodagh Keane began the feast  with a goal for Shamrocks and just before the break Chloe Bell goaled for St Loman’s. In between 11 points were scored, 7 for Shamrocks, 4 by Moya with Clodagh  and Alannah Burke chipping in with points also. Shamrocks held an interval lead of 1-7 to 1-4 and a Moya Kilmartin  point after the restart extended the lead. Chloe Bell pointed for Loman’s and a great save from Emily Forde prevented a second St Loman’s goal. Shamrocks replied with the goal of the evening when the ball was brought the length of the field in a series of passes before it  was finished to the net by Clodagh Keane. Chloe Bell  goaled for St Loman’s, Shamrocks then scored two goals in quick succession by Elsa Bird and Clodagh who completed her hat-trick to give Shamrocks a 4-8 to 2-5 lead. 

Inspired by Lucy KIlmurray at centre forward, St Loman’s recovered in typical style and within minutes the deficit was reduced to just two points. Isabelle McDonnell converted a penalty with some style, Orla Casey pointed and Chloe Bell scored her third goal. Shamrocks responded in style. The excellent Alannah Burke goaled and Elsa scored goal number 6 for Shamrocks as she finished a glorious pass from Moya. We won’t see many better passes in Springfield this year. A feature of the game was the display of the two centre-forwards with very different style: Luck Kilmuuray all movement, speed and direct attack. Moya much more subtle in her approach but equally effective. Two great players and stars of the future. Points were shared before Ken Gunning blew the final whistle with his notebook reading Mullingar Shamrocks 6-9 St Loman’s 4-7 after a very enjoyable game for all involved. Great skills were on display, great attacking movements and despite the feast of goals, there was plenty of good defending on offer also.

And, whisper it, it’s not every month that we win four successive local Derbies in the space of a week against the neighbours. It might never have happened before and might never happen again!

Mullingar Shamrocks: Emily Ford; Roisin Cornally, Elsa Bird, Kate O’Donoghue; Karla Keena, Ava Sheahan, Ella Frayne; Keela Doran, Alannah Burke; Emily Maguire, Moya Kilmartin, Clodagh Keane; Lily-Rose Rock, Siog Thornton, Kayleigh Fenton. Reiltin Thornton, Roisin Ledwith, Saoirse Dixon, Lauren Heavey.