Shay Murtagh Senior Championship Semi Final:

St Lomans Mullingar 0-13 The Downs 0-11

Last Sunday saw a repeat of the 2019 Westmeath Senior Football Championship semi-final when St Lomans Mullingar met local rivals The Downs in TEG Cusack Park. This was to be a similar encounter and the teams would be separated by the narrowest of margins. The Black and Amber certainly started the brighter and they kicked the first six points of the match. Luke Loughlin was responsible for the first five points and Kevin O ‘Sullivan got the sixth. In truth the Downs will rue not taking two early goal chances with Loughlin hitting the foot of the post and Charlie Drum shooting wide from close range. The Blues were then denied a goal themselves when Trevor Martin foiled John Heslin with a smart save. The Saints were at sixes and sevens at times and Loughlin in particular threatened to run riot. It took until the 23rd minute for the Mullingar men to register their first point through a John Heslin free. Joseph Moran then fisted over to restore the six-point lead. Both teams then traded scores with O’Toole and Conor Coughlan on target for their respective sides. Heslin pointed on the stroke of half time to leave Na Dunta five points to the good at the break. The Second half presented an up-hill task for Declan Kelly’s men. 

The second period of play began with another Loughlin free. Heslin hit back for the Blues with a tidy double, after converting from two pin-point passes from Paul Whelehan and Ronan O’Toole respectively. Second half substitute Paddy Dowdall was instrumental in shoring up the defence and this allowed the Blues to seize control.  Conor Murrays free restored a five point lead. The Saints began to put the downs on the back foot mid-way through the second half. Fionn O’Hara who gradually grew into the game, kicked a magnificent point off his left to boot to reduce the deficit. Fola Ayorinde and Ronan O’Toole began to dominate the game winning primary possession. Heslin then kicked a long range point which was a contender for score of the match for the crucial timing alone. With ten minutes to go the Downs frailties were beginning to show and when Conor Coughlan hauled down Ronan O’Toole referee Alan Coyne had no choice but to produce a black card, leaving The Black and Amber a man down going into the final 10 minutes. Heslin converted the resulting free and added to it moments later with another placed ball. Suddenly the difference was a mere point. Conor Murray doubled that lead with five minutes left to give The Downs a two-point advantage. However it must be said that Lomans absolutely dominated the final quarter and relentlessly attacked the Downs. Ronan O’Toole stepped up and kicked a splendid double in quick succession to leave the sides dead-locked. Heslin found his range late on and remained ice cool to convert a free in the 61st minute which put the Blues in front for the very first time. The Blues game management was fantastic and they showed great character to grind out the result. The final score came after David Whelan’s brilliant interception and lung-busting run he found Sean Flanagan who pointed, this meant the Downs needed a goall to snatch victory. However their efforts were in vain as the defence stood firm. The final whistle came, and with it a sigh of relief from all the Lomans Supporters watching at home! Declan Kelly’s man ran out two point winners after a wonderful second half performance and come-back. 

It must be said there were many stand-out performers in the closing stages, in particular the senior members of the squad showed their valuable experience. John Heslin and Ronan O’Toole showed their leadership qualities when they stuck out their chest and lead from the front, getting some crucial scores in the process. Paddy Dowdall was a sensational substitute and really held the fort well in the second-half. Fola Ayorinde imposed himself really well on the game in the final moments winning several kick-outs. Fionn O’Hara and Ryan Jones acquitted themselves on their senior debut’s also.  The Blues were fantastic in the second half showing real metal and true grit to get through a really stubborn test provided by the Downs. As a result of this we now face Tyrrellspass in the Senior Final with the date and time to be confirmed. What a brilliant achievement it is to be in our sixth consecutive senior final and eighth in nine years! No doubt the lads will be looking to go one better than the last two years. 

Team; Jason Daly, David Whelan, Darragh O’Keefe, Rory Sheahan, Kelvin Reilly, Ryan Jones, Conor O’Donghue, Sean Flanagan (0.01), Fola Ayorinde, Paul Whelehan, Ronan O’Toole (0.03), Sam McCartan, Fionn O’Hara (0.01), John Heslin (0.08, 0.04f), Peter Foy. Subs Used; Paddy Dowdall, Kevin Regan, Conradh Reilly. 

Clarkes Bar Junior Championship Semi Final:

St Lomans Mullingar 0-18 Athlone 0-07

Last Saturday evening St Lomans and Athlone both travelled to Ballymore to face off for a place in the Junior Championship Final. The Blues started well with talisman David Morgan pointing either side of a score for the Shannon-siders. Morgan then hit another double following brilliant passing from Conor Cochrane and Shane Boyce respectively. Paul Bannon responded for Athlone but his point was cancelled out after an excellent effort from David Windsor. Morgan was then fouled for a penalty but was foiled from the spot after a good save from Athlone shot-stopper Cathal Joyce, however Morgan pointed from the rebound. Shane Boyce’s point on the stroke of half time left four between the sides at the break. The Saints picked up where they left off in the Second Half with David Winsdor pointing either side of another Morgan score. The sides then traded two scores each with Garret Hickey and Conan O’Hara on target for the Mullingar men. Hickey then conveted two placed balls either side of an Athlone point. Senan Russell, Oisin Hogan and Tristan Graham produced a fine hand-passing move with the latter converting for arguably the score of the match. Athlone got their final point late on but the Blues had the last word with substitutes Hugh Mulhern and Niall McGurran getting their name of the score-sheet late . The Blues ran out comfortable eleven point-winners. 

It must be said that every single member of the Lomans side were fantastic on the night. David Morgan did the damage up front ending with a tidy tally six points (all from play). Shane Boyce never stopped running all night and has really shown a fantastic attitude this year and has improved tenfold. David Winsdor is beginning to show the form which we associate with him, getting three wonderful points on the night. In the backs Oisin Hogan and Tristan Graham were sensational winning every tackle and hunting down the Athlone forwards like viscous dogs. However in my opinion man of the match was the warrior at the back Senan Russell. Russell received a nasty knock early on but shrugged it off and had the game of his life, not giving the Athlone forwards a sniff. It must be said what a fantastic achievement it is to be in a Senior and Junior final in the same year. In particular reaching our first Junior final since 1985. James Davitt’s team men now face Tubberclair in the final with date and venue to be confirmed. 

Team; Dano Fitzsimons, Daire Smyth, Gerry Grehan, Senan Russell, Oisin Hogan, Eoghan O’Keefe, Tristan Graham (0.01), Frank Kavanagh, Chris Gilbert, Shane Boyce (0.01), David Winsdor (0.03), James Kelly, Garett Hickey (0.04, 0.03f), David Morgan (0.06), Conor Cochrane. Subs used; Conan O’Hara (0.01), Hugh Mulhern (0.01), Niall McGurran (0.01), Dan Sheridan. 

Under 16 Girls Championship Final:

St Lomans Mullingar 1-05 Milltownpass 2-07

Our under 16 girls faced Milltownpass Sunday last in lakepoint park in the championship final. The visitors started well with an early goal to put our girls on the back foot straight away. Caoimhe and Katie Kilmurray pointed to reduce the gap to one. Milltownpass got their first point of the match which was cancelled out by Caoimhe Kilmurray. Jane Duggan’s fantastic point levelled it before Caoimhe Kilmurray put Lomans in front for the first time. However the visitors equalized before the interval to leave the sides levelled at the break. Milltownpass struck a hammer blow early in the second half hitting 1-03 without reply. This was ultimately the period which decided the outcome on the match. Caoimhe Kilmurray’s Goal gave the Blues late hope but two more late points for Milltownpass saw them win by five points. Hard luck to our girls, who once again have to settle for silver. Many of this team have reached five consecutive finals only to come out on the wrong side, however our girls acquitted themselves brilliantly this year and many of this team will be future senior stars for St Loman’s Ladies. On the day Lara McCartan and Niamh McKenna performed well at the back. Rachel McKenna, Keelie Mulderry and Paige Matthews also never gave up in the second half and constantly made themselves available for the ball. Big thanks to Donal Kilmurray, Alan Quinn, Alan Graham and Enda Matthews for devoting their time and effort to the girls this year. Congratulations to Milltownpass. Hopefully our girls will come back next year and go one better. 

Team; Eimear Quinn, Lara McCartan, Niamh McKenna, Abbie Norris, Ellen Kilmurray, Keelie Mulderry, Lucy Hynes, Annie Kilmurray, Shauna Treanor, Niamh McGinley, Caoimhe Kilmurray (1.03), Paige Matthews, Jane Duggan (0.01), Katie Kilmurray (0.01), Rachel McKenna. Subs used; Lucia Weir, Meadbh O’Hara.

Club Lotto:

Draw Date: Thursday 10th September

This Week’s Jackpot: €4200

Numbers Drawn; 5, 9, 10, 20

No Jackpot Winner

Next Week’s Draw: Thursday 17th September

Next week’s Jackpot: €4300

Remember it could be you!

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