Sometimes you attend a game and wonder why when your team are given little or no chance of progressing. ‘You mustn’t have much to do this morning’ was one salute in the Athlone GAA Club car park. The request for a photograph for the county final was delivered in more hope than confidence as in the clubs previous encounter in the league stage of the championship the result was one of those where the final score was hidden away.
And then you are very glad to be present to witness and to record an EPIC victory.
Things looked ominous at the start as Athlone won possession from the throw-in and Lucy Allen’s shot dipped under the crossbar for an early goal. Athlone had the assistance of a strong wind during this half and attacked relentlessly during the opening 10 minutes. Gemma Mannion and Lucy Allen added points to establish a 1-2 to 0-0 lead for the home side. It could have been more but for some wild shooting by Athlone and exceptional defending by the Mullingar defenders with all six outstanding with Saoirse Clinton particularly effective in turning defence into attack.
Gradually the Mullingar Shamrocks girls began to come to terms with the challenge and Grace Daly pointed from long range for Shamrocks and completed an intricate move from a 45 that involved Grace, Seoidin, Caoimhe, Alexa, Zara and Grace again.
Two pointed frees from Lucy Allen extended the Athlone lead (1-4 to 0-1) but Grace Daly was razor sharp and added two points for Shamrocks from frees and a third from play and after 29 minutes the scoreboard read 1-4 to 0-4. Shamrocks had matched Athlone on the scoreboard from the opening minute and with wind advantage to come, the girls in green were in a healthy position. However, the concession of a goal at the worst possible time painted a different picture as Sally Fleming broke through to score Athlone’s second goal. The half-time whistle was blown on the restart with Athlone leading by 2-4 to 0-4.
Shamrocks had a let-off on the restart as Athlone broke through on goal but the finish was on the wrong side of the post. Shamrocks took advantage of the escape and dominated for 15 minutes. Grace Daly and Orla Nohilly (a second half substitute) pointed, Athlone added a single point and then Shamrocks added six unanswered points to establish a minimum margin lead (2-5 to 0-12). Grace Daly hit 0-5, a mixture from play and free kicks and Alexa Gavigan pointed from play (on a day when frees and the implementation of the advantage rule were plentiful as the match was refereed strictly in accordance with the rules of LGF).
Inevitably there was a drop in intensity and a period of fierce Athlone pressure followed as Shamrocks were unable to get the ball past the half-way line. Great defending was mixed with turnovers and Athlone added 1-1 to their total during this period for the lead. A couple of great saves from Emily Forde were important before the siege was lifted and Shamrocks returned to the attack. A great combined move ended with a Grace Daly shot across the goalmouth. Caoimhe Farrell’s timing was as good as that of Troy Parrott last Sunday and the centre forward judged her run perfectly to palm Grace’s shot past Mia Buckley in the Athlone goal. The sides were level once again (3-6 to 1-12). Shamrocks continued to attack and the wind might even have increased in intensity. The Queen of the Solo Run, Alexa Gavigan gained possession, began another slaloming run, and as she cut inside Alexa unleashed a shot that rocketed to the roof of the net for the goal of the game and one worthy of winning any match (3-6 to 2-12). Except this one didn’t as Athlone produced their own contender for the title. Sally Fleming cracked a free from 20-metres to the roof of the net for a spectacular equaliser. Shamrocks won possession from the restart and returned to attack. Grace Daly pointed a free and Orla Nohilly pointed twice from play to secure a superb victory and a place in the county final.
We mentioned the resilience of the girls after The Downs match and this quality was again very much on display again in Athlone. This was a great team victory with the defence providing the victory foundation in the first half and the attack building on this foundation on resumption. To score 15 points was remarkable with Grace Daly’s sharp accuracy a key-factor in this victory. It’s not every day a Mullingar Shamrocks forward scores 0-11, especially on a day when conditions were difficult in the extreme. The combination play of Alexa, Grace, Zara, Orla, Aya, Caoimhe and Mollie was wonderful and the hard work of midfielders Katie Matthews and Aideen Langtry made a significant contribution to the victory. All seven defenders and second-half substitute Alannah Burke defended like never before and the reward was a place in the county final.
And it should be noted that Alexa Gavigan made the long journey from Killaloe, County Clare on Sunday morning for this game. Thanks to Alexa’s parents Michelle and Andrew for making the journey back from a family gathering for the game, this kind of dedication is exemplary.
Finally well done to Johnny Hassett, Keith Matthews and John Moylan for their work with this team.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Emily Forde; Seoidín Thornton, Ella Briody, Rosie O’ Grady; Eabha Moran, Ellie O’Donnell, Saoirse Clinton (Alannah Burke); Aideen Langtry, Katie Matthews; Aya Hacini, Caoimhe Farrell (1-0); Alexa Gavigan (1-1); Mollie Maguire (Orla Nohilly, 0-3), Grace Daly (0-11), Zara Corroon. Other Panellists; Abi Matthews, Roisin Nohilly, Ece Ozdemir, Layla Dowd.
