ACL Div. 2: Mullingar Shamrocks 0-11 Ballynacarrigy 0-12.
Shamrocks produced their best performance to date in this Division 2 League match played in Springfield. Ballynacarrigy held a single point interval lead (0-5 to 0-4) with Gary Corroon (0-2), Dylan McDermott and Brendan O'Reilly doing the scoring for Shamrocks. Billy Flynn and Davy Coyne did some outstanding defending during this stage. Ten minutes into the second half the teams were level at 0-6 each but a period of Ballynacarrigy dominance followed and good play by Cathal Burke and Dwayne Maher, in particular, established a four point lead for the visitors. Shamrocks responded well and the switch of Dylan McDermott to full-forward paid immediate dividends. McDermott scored three fine points, (the last of which might well have been a goal), Jordan Ward pointed (an effective substitute) and James Grogan hit a spectacular long range effort to reduce the lead to the minimum. Unfortunately time caught up with comeback and Ballynacarrigy left with the two league points.
Shamrocks: Daragh Ryan; James Grogan (0 -1), David Coyne, Billy Flynn; Aaron Purcell, Eddie Moore, Ryan Blundell (Jordan Ward 0-1); Paddy Joyce and Dylan McDermott (0-5); Ross Corroon, Brendan O'Reilly (0-1), Tye Adamson; Conor Moore (0-1), Gary Corroon (0-2), Mickey McKnight (Nathan Gavin).
Under-12 League: Shamrocks 12-17 Shandonagh 1-0
Shamrocks began their under-12 season with a comprehensive win against Shandonagh. Although the score-line does not do justice to the efforts of Shandonagh it was an all-round solid display by Shamrocks who were never in any danger mainly due to the tireless work from the entire team. A special welcome to two debutants Aaron Russell at midfield and Beli Lolengola at full-forward who made impressive starts to their Shamrocks careers. Rian Adamson and Rouiri Hickey were very strong in defence, our wing backs of Pat White and Conor Kelly attacked every ball without exception. Aaron Russell and Jason Nevin in mid-field ran for the entire 50 minutes both in attack and defence. Upfront both Enda Keating and Adam Boyle (who ended our top scorer with 6-2 on the day) took some very good scores.
Under-14 Football League: The Downs 6-15 Shamrocks 6-5.
It was goals by the dozen in The Downs on Thursday evening as Shamrocks and the home club renewed acquaintance this time at under-14 level. The goals were shared equally but The Downs knocked over ten points more than Shamrocks for a deserved victory (6-15 to 6-5). Shamrocks led at the interval (3-3 to 1-8) and maintained the lead ten minutes into the second half. At this stage The Downs went on a goal scoring spree and when this was complete Shamrocks banged in three goals of their own. It was an enjoyable game with Shamrocks showing a great improvement from their first outing two weeks ago. Zac Aherne was the scorer in chief with 4-2 to his credit with Johnny Joyce again getting a good return (2-2).
Shamrocks: Daniel Chukwuemekg, Daithí Martin, Keith Whaley, Gianluca Hassett; Ciaran Luby
William Adzangoa, Mathew Clinton; Niall Ouchbakou and Emmett Walsh; Shane Daly (0-1),
Brian Farrell, Andrew Shaw; Oliver McNamara, Zach Aherne (4-2), Johnny Joyce (2-2) Mark Shaw.
Féile na nÓg
We hosted St Mary's Rochfortbridge and Lilliput Gaels in the group stages of this year's Féile competition. First up we played St Mary's, Rochfortbridge in a very tight game. St Mary's were a very strong unit with many stars throughout their team. Due to injury we needed to move William Adzangoa to full forward and from there he scored two well taken goals. The team played really well in this game with everyone trying their hearts out to get a result. Matthew Clinton, Keith Whaley and Sean Óg Hynes defended stoutly in front of the very agile Daniel Chukwuemekg who was very unlucky with the three goals that went by him. The half-back line of Daithí O Mairtín who retired early with a knee injury, Zach Aherne and Oisín Sheridan played really well and set up many attacks. Daithí was replaced by the ever reliable Gianluca Hassett who is improving with every game. Niall Ouchbakou and Emmett Walsh at midfield had a terrific battle with their opposite numbers and it was tit for tat in this area all through the game. The forward sextet of brothers Andrew and Mark Shaw, Shane Daly, Oliver McNamara, William and Johnny Joyce were all a handful for their opposite numbers and as a unit played their best football of the season. Right up to the final whistle this game was in the balance and indeed we were a shade unlucky with two late chances which could have secured victory. However when the final whistle blew we were beaten by 3-8 to 3-4 and we wish Rochfortbridge the best in the remainder of the competition. We played Lilliput Gaels in our second match and as St Mary's, Rochfortbridge had already qualified we used this game to try out players in different positions and they did not disappoint. Sean Óg Hynes scored 1-3 from full forward in this game and it seems from previous games that this is not a problem position as Keith Whaley, Zach, William and Sean Óg have all excelled here. Lilliput Gaels had a very young team on display but they gave us a great challenge and the game was used by both teams to empty their benches; in the end we won on a score-line of 3-8 to 1-5. This was a very enjoyable day with all players getting plenty of game time.
Under-8Blitz
Great fun for our young under-8 footballers in Springfield this morning (23 April) as many young footballers played their first matches in the Shamrocks colours. Shandonagh and St Loman's were also there in numbers and great fun was had by all. As in all Go Games all the matches were drawn. Well done to all involved from the three clubs.
Fixtures
ACL Div. 5: Shamrocks v The Downs, in The Downs, Thursday 28 April, 7pm.
ACL Div. 1: Shamrocks v Coralstown-Kinnegad, in Springfield, Saturday 30 April, 7pm.
ACL Div. 2: Shamrocks v The Downs, in The Downs, Monday, 2 May, 2.30pm
Under-16 League, Div. 1: Mullingar Shamrocks v Caulry, in Caulry, Monday 2 May, 7pm.
Under-12 League, Group A: Mullingar Shamrocks v St Loman's, in Springfield, Wednesday 4 May, 7pm.
Under-14 League, Div. 1: Mullingar Shamrocks v Shandonagh, in Springfield, Thursday 5 May, 7pm.
Congratulations
Congrats to Karen Hegarty and Niamh Spellman corner-forward and corner-back respectively on the Westmeath ladies team that defeated Clare (4-12 to 1-11) to qualify for the final of the Lidl Division 2 National League against Donegal which takes place on Saturday 7 May at Parnell Park at 5.30pm.
Sympathy
The club expresses its sincere sympathy to Ailish Gavin and the members of the Gavin family on the recent death of Ailish's mother, Noreen Groonell in Castlebar. Beannacht Dé ar a hanam dílis
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