Division 3 v Maryland
A last-gasp Maryland point denied us a fourth straight victory in Division 3 of the All-County League at a wet and windy St James’ Park last Saturday evening.
While there was initially disappointment at being caught at the death in this top-of-the-table clash, a 2-7 to 1-10 draw was a fair result overall as both teams maintained their unbeaten records in difficult conditions. Kilbeggan took a 1-5 to 0-4 lead into the break after playing with a strong wind, but that didn’t look to be enough, especially when Maryland went two up, 1-8 to 1-6, 10 minutes after the restart.
But Jack Molloy’s second goal a minute later edged us back in front and we doubled our advantage before the visitors grabbed the last two points to earn a share of the spoils.
A pair of Nigel Scally two-point frees propelled us into an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead, only for Maryland to halve the deficit. Scally’s only point from play was cancelled out before Molloy – who has been in fine goalscoring form – scrambled home from close range to leave it 1-5 to 0-3 after 27 minutes.
The Drumraney men pulled back a point just before the interval and, after a Dean Fitzgerald had restored our five-point advantage from a free, they reeled off 1-4 without reply to turn the game on its head. But Kilbeggan dug deep and regained the lead when Shaun Pidgeon and Paul Fennell combined for Molloy to raise his second green flag.
We then kicked three wides in succession before a Scally free made it 2-7 to 1-8 with five minutes of normal time remaining. But former county star Kieran Martin’s second point of the half reduced the deficit to the minimum before the visitors levelled with the last kick of the game after a high ball wasn't cleared.
Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, James Fox, Mel Kiernan; Jacob Browne, Shaun Pidgeon, Mark Wrafter; Ray Kennedy, Joey O’Neill; Micheál Coffey, Nigel Scally, Paul Fennell; Jack Molly, Conor Delaney, Dean Fitzgerald. Sub used: Colin Draper.
Gym membership
Membership is now available for our new gym which is located in the old handball alley.
This has been a massive project for the club over the past six months and is a fantastic facility for all adult players and underage development. We would like to place on record our thanks to both the 2025 and 2026 committees, sponsors, Colin Draper, Brendan Nannery, Richie McMahon, Mel Kiernan, Niall Carey and all the volunteers who put in huge work from researching, fundraising, administration, demolition to tidying, painting, wiring and everything else to get it across the line.
Annual membership is €100 for an adult and €50 for a student (18 and over). To sign up – deadline is May 31 – log onto https://kilbegganshamrocks.com/categories/fees/products
Cillian Rochford
Best of luck to Cillian Rochford and his Westmeath team-mates in their Leinster U20FC quarter-final against Kildare this Wednesday evening.
Westmeath will have home advantage once again after beating Dublin last Wednesday evening in Kinnegad to qualify from their group.
Lotto
Last week’s lucky numbers were 2, 3, 4 and 19. There was no jackpot winner. The Match 3 winners were Larry Claffey and Martin Scally.
This week’s jackpot is €7,400. 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.
Race Day
After a hugely successful inaugural event last year, 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.
