Mullingar Athletic 3 Killeigh 1
At a bitterly cold Gainstown on December 30, Athletic A under 13s saw off the determined challenge of a spirited Killeigh team running out eventual winners by three goals to one. In truth the score line was flattering to the Killeigh lads with Athletic squandering a hatful of chances and some last gasp defending by the Killeigh defence keeping the winning margin down.
Playing an attractive 4-3-3 formation Athletic were dominant from the off with the Killagh keeper in action producing a super save from Josh Heery after only five minutes. This was followed by good saves from Luke Byrne, Shane Donohue, and the large crowd of home supporters were beginning to wonder was this going to be one of those days when despite dominating Athletic were going to find it hard to score.
After 15 mins Mullingar were forced into an early change with Niall McGowan coming off injured to be replaced by Daniel Boyce who had an industrious outing playing in an unfamiliar role on the right side of the three man midfield.
Prompted from midfield by mister reliable Gearoid Sheridan and Gary Morgan using his trickery to good effect the breakthrough for Athletic eventually came with Josh Heery finishing off a remarkable move started at the back by Jack Quinn.
Shortly after the goal a 20 yard free kick from skipper Darragh Daly brought the best out of the Killeigh keeper.
A number of further chances went a begging before halftime and the Athletic keeper Anthony Brady produce a couple of first class saves as the home team pushed forward in search of further goals leaving him exposed at the back.
Athletic were straight away into the attack in the second half and again a combination of good defending and some great saves from the Killeigh keeper kept it at one nil. Athletic were continuing to press forward in search of the second and were dependant on O’Malley and McGonagle making a couple of interceptions to thwart the Killeigh forwards. Sticking to the game plan and playing attacking football the second eventually arrived with Quinn coolly slotting home after a thunderous shot from Morgan was parried out by the Killeigh keeper. Just reward for some all round entertaining football.
The third arrived six minutes from time with Geraoid Sheridan heading home from close range. Killeigh got a consolation score in the dying minutes as the Athletic defence for once let their guard down.
Athletic Team: Brady, McGonagle, O’Malley, Daly, Quinn, McGowan, (Boyce 15 mins ) Sheridan, Morgan, Heery, Donohue, Byrne.
