Division 3 v Bunbrosna

We maintained our unbeaten record in Division 3 of the All-County League when drawing 2-11 apiece away to Bunbrosna in last Tuesday night’s refixture.

Jack Molloy and Nigel Scally were our goalscorers in a game where we lost stalwart defender Mel Kiernan to a wrist injury that required surgery in the 12th minute. We wish Mel a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.

Team: Conor Mullins; Mel Kiernan, James Fox, Martin Ward; Jacob Browne, Shaun Pidgeon (0-1), Mark Wrafter (0-1); Ray Kennedy, Joey O’Neill; Paul Fennell (0-1), Nigel Scally (1-2), Micheál Coffey; Dean Fitzgerald (0-4), Conor Delaney (0-1), Jack Molloy (1-1). Subs: Conor Carroll, Darragh Coffey, Niall Carey, Arthur O’Rourke, Keith Corcoran and Michael Joyce.

Division 3 v The Downs

The concession of a last-gasp two-pointer consigned us to our first defeat in Division 3 of the All-County League at the hands of The Downs last Saturday evening.

In glorious sunshine at Kevin Molloy Park, the hosts scored seven two-pointers, including six in the second half, to edge a titanic battle by 2-20 to 1-22. It was a gut-wrenching loss as we had looked to have done enough when leading 1-22 to 1-18 at the end of the 60 minutes, but The Downs finished with a flourish to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The home side came flying out of the blocks to lead by 1-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes before three Nigel Scally points and one apiece from Jacob Browne, Conor Delaney and Jack Molloy propelled us into an 0-8 to 1-3 lead. The Downs restored parity with a two-pointer before a Darragh Coffey point was cancelled out to leave it all-square, 0-9 to 1-6, at the break.

Fresh from his exploits with the Westmeath U20s, Cillian Rochford came off the bench to score three quick points after the restart. He was also unlucky to see a goal attempt come back off the butt of the upright. Micheál Coffey, Shaun Pidgeon and Scally also found the target to push us into a 0-14 to 1-7 lead before the hosts landed their second two-pointer to halve the deficit after 38 minutes.

Further points from the reintroduced Jack Molloy, Darragh Coffey and Rochford gave us a five-point cushion for the first time, 0-18 to 1-10, only for The Downs to rattle off four two-pointers in a devastating spell to go 1-18 to 0-18 in front.

The momentum shifted back in our favour when an equalising goal from Micheál Coffey was followed by points from Nigel Scally (two, one free), Rochford and another substitute, Padraig Carton. But the black and ambers refused to accept defeat and fired home a 61st minute goal before winning it with a late, late two-pointer that their watching county star Luke Loughlin would have been proud of.  

Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, James Fox, Mark Wrafter; Micheál Coffey, Shaun Pidgeon, Jacob Borwne; Joey O’Neill, Darragh Coffey; Paul Fennell, Nigel Scally, Keith Corcoran; Conor Delaney, Niall Carey, Jack Molloy. Subs used: Cillian Rochford and Padraig Carton.

Division 5 v Milltown

Lightning struck twice when we succumbed to another last-minute two-pointer against Milltown in Division 5 of the All-County League last Sunday morning at St James’ Park.

Two goals from substitute Davin Egan looked to have decided it before Alan Geraghty’s two-pointer at the death handed the visitors a dramatic 0-19 to 2-12 victory. It came after substitute Michael Joyce was unlucky to see his palmed effort come back off the crossbar at the other end.

With several players seeing action for the second time in less than 24 hours, we took a 0-9 to 0-5 lead into the break thanks to points from Cillian Rochford (three), Micheál Coffey (two), Joey O’Neill, Conor Delaney, Danny Scully and Jacob Browne.

Milltown resumed with a two-pointer and three singles, including two from Geraghty ‘45s, to take the lead before Coffey and Jack Molloy edged us back in front, 0-11 to 0-10. The visitors levelled before Davin Egan netted with his first touch from fellow-sub James Finnegan’s pass. A Conor Delaney free made it 1-12 to 0-11, but Milltown grabbed the next six points, including their second two-pointer, to jump into a 0-17 to 1-12 lead.

As the game ticked into injury-time, Finnegan and Egan again combined for the latter to raise his second green flag and nudge us back in front, 2-12 to 0-17. But after Joyce came within a whisker of scoring the insurance goal, and was injured in the process, Geraghty had to final say for Milltown as we were sucker-punched by a late two-pointer once again.

Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, Sennan Claffey, Arthur O’Rourke; Kyle McMahon, Mark Wrafter, Jacob Browne; Joey O’Neill, Michael Carton; Keith Corcoran, Micheál Coffey, Danny Scully; Conor Delaney, Cillian Rochford, Jack Molloy. Subs used: James Finnegan, Dylan Maloney, Davin Egan and Michael Joyce.

Darkness into Light

It's that time of the year again. 

Darkness into Light takes place on Saturday, May 9 and we will be meeting at 4.15am in St James' Hall for a 5km fundraising walk, with refreshments served afterwards. Everyone in the community is welcome to take part.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 11, 18, 24 and 27. There was no jackpot or Match 3 winners. The Lucky Dip winner was Tommy McDaniel.

Tickets are also on sale outside Centra every Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for your continued support.

Community Support Fund

We were delighted to receive an allocation of €1,000 from Tullamore Credit Union’s Community Support Fund last week. It will go towards club development and is very much appreciated.

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.