Division 3 v St Malachy’s
We maintained our 100% record in Division 3 of the All-County League after edging out St Malachy’s 2-9 to 1-11 in a full-blooded local derby played in dreadful weather conditions at St James’ Park last Sunday morning.
The driving wind and rain made for a game of two halves. We played with the elements first and duly built up a 2-8 to 0-4 half-time lead. But St Malachy’s came roaring back in the second half to leave us clinging on for a one-point win at the end.
Early goals from Jack Molloy and Paul Fennell proved crucial in a game where no quarter was given or taken. Dean Fitzgerald also kicked a couple of two-pointers from frees and another single from play, while Joey O’Neill and Nigel Scally (free) were also on target as we took a 10-point lead into the break.
But aided by a pair of Morgan Gavigan two-pointers, St Malachy’s had reduced the deficit to three points, 0-11 to 2-8, before Micheál Coffey registered our only score of the second half with five minutes of normal time remaining. That proved decisive as the visitors brought it back to the minimum when Shane Corcoran converted a penalty in injury-time.
Amid a welter of excitement, St Malachy’s then rattled the woodwork as we just about hung on to make it three wins from three, despite the absence of our defensive lynchpins James Fox and Shaun Pidgeon.
Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, Mel Kiernan, Arthur O’Rourke; Jacob Browne, Mark Wrafter, Micheál Coffey; Ray Kennedy, Joey O’Neill; Paul Fennell, Nigel Scally, Keith Corcoran; Jack Molloy, Conor Delaney, Dean Fitzgerald.
Division 5 v Mullingar Shamrocks
Our Division 5 team made it two wins from two in the All-County League following a thrilling encounter with Mullingar Shamrocks at a blustery St James’ Park last Saturday evening.
In what was our first game of the season on home soil, we won out on a 6-12 to 5-12 scoreline after trailing by 1-3 to 3-6 at half-time. It was end-to-end stuff from the first whistle with the visitors taking an early 1-4 to 0-2 lead after Danny Scully had got our first two points.
A palmed goal from Colm Heffernan reduced the deficit to the minimum before two quickfire goals helped Mullingar to a commanding lead at the break.
But with the wind behind us in the second half and Paul Fennell, Dean Fitzgerald, Micheál Coffey, Jack Molloy and Conor Delaney making big impacts off the bench, we came storming back. Fitzgerald opened the scoring from a free before Fennell netted, only for the Springfield men to reply with 1-1 of their own to maintain a nine-point gap.
But Kilbeggan then enjoyed a great spell that yielded goals from Heffernan, Molloy and Fennell along with points from Coffey, Molloy and Fennell to take a 5-6 to 4-8 lead. Mullingar levelled before a point from Heffernan and a sixth goal from Molloy after Scully had rattled the crossbar put us 6-7 to 4-9 in front.
Mullingar, however, were far from finished and regained parity again with an unanswered 1-1. Lead points from Coffey (free) and Fennell were cancelled out both times before late points from Delaney (two) and Molloy finally settled an early-season classic.
Finally, a big well done to Davin Egan on making his adult team debut.
Team: Conor Mullins; Brian Egan, Sennan Claffey, Arthur O’Rourke; Kyle McMahon, Colin Draper, John Victor; Michael Carton, Keith Corcoran; Dylan Maloney, Danny Scully, James Finnegan; Michael Joyce, Colm Heffernan, Davin Egan. Subs: Dean Fitzgerald, Paul Fennell, Micheál Coffey, Conor Delaney and Jack Molloy.
Race Day
After a hugely successful inaugural event last year, we are delighted to announce that we will once again be hosting a Race Day on Friday, May 15.
The event at Kilbeggan Races will feature a marquee with live music, raffles and various competitions. Last year, we honoured our 2000 men’s intermediate champions and this year it’s the turn of our 2004 junior ladies football winners. The team went on to win the intermediate championship in 2005 before contesting the senior final against St Loman’s in 2006.
Watch this space for more details!
Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others returns
Our Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others group are back on the pitch from this Wednesday, April 1 after the winter break.
Whether you've played before or are trying Gaelic football for the first time, this initiative proves that sport is for everyone. Training takes place every Wednesday on the Astroturf at 8pm with new faces always welcome.
Lotto
Last week’s lucky numbers were 3, 4, 7 and 15. There was no jackpot winner. The Match 3 winner was Valerie McNamara.
This week’s jackpot is €7,100. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mee's Costcutter and Whelan’s. Tickets are also on sale outside Centra every Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for your continued support.
