Under 11s advance to last sixteen
The game was played in ideal conditions and the home team was quicker out of the blocks: within three minutes they found themselves a goal up courtesy of a strong run and cool finish by the impressive Luke Lenihan.Ten minutes later Athletic added a second when wonderful interplay between Dylan McWade and Finbar Coyne resulted in the latter finishing from an acute angle. Athletic was firmly in control and beginning to play attractive football. However in the 20th minute Villa was awarded a free 25 metres from goal. The resultant kick resulted in the ball sailing into the top corner of the net giving the home keeper no chance to retrieve.Undaunted Athletic continued to take the game to Villa and just before half time they went 3-1 up after Finbar Coyne got on the end of a defence splitting pass from Cormac Dalton, coolly dispatching the ball to the back of the net.After the interval Athletic continued to press forward in search of more goals and the impressive Finbar Coyne completed his hattrick and indeed added no. 4 within ten minutes of the restart.Robert Stuart replaced Tom Molloy at left back and David Mimnagh replaced Conor McCrossan on the left of mid field and both players caused the visitors a lot of problems with their pace and skill down the left flank.Ryan O'Connor, the talented right back, capped a superb personal performance when he fired home from just inside the box to make the score 6 -1. At this stage Athletic brought on a number of subs with one - Joseph Kinahan - finishing off another superb move to make it a comfortable 7 - 1 to the home side.In the dying minutes, from a sweeping move down the right, Cormac Dalton whipped in a dangerous cross which was powerfully met by the onrushing Robert Smyth only to see his thundering header cannon off the crossbar.The final whistle sounded soon afterwards and was greeted by great scenes of jubilation by the team and supporters alike. This was a wonderful team performance. Goalkeeper Dylan Behan marshalled his defence superbly. The back four of Tom Molloy, Ben Traynor, Brian Kavanagh and Ryan O'Connor comfortably dealt with everything that Villa could throw at them. Cormac Dalton and Luke Lenihan dominated midfield breaking up numerous attacks and also finding time to provide chance after chance for the strikers.Midfielder Conor McCrossan worked tirelessly on the left and set up Finbar Coyne magnificently for the latter's second goal of the match.Up front Jack Hall and Dylan McWade were a constant thorn in Villa's defence, never giving the visitors a chance to settle on the ball. Both boys linked very well with their team mates in midfield.But of all the excellent players on view on Saturday there was without doubt one player who stood head and shoulders above the rest and that was Finbar Coyne. Apart from his four goal haul his work rate and vision were a joy to behold- a very talented player thoroughly deserving the accolade of 'Man of the Match'.Many thanks to all the parents who catered for the visitors and who supported the team on the day. We await anxiously now for news of our opposition for the next round. Well done to all concerned!Kick Start 2 CourseA Kick Start Level 2 Course will take place in the club from Friday, February 19th to Sunday, February 21st. For further details please contact Leo on 086-8611301.Results for week ending February 14thCCFL Combined Counties LeagueSaturday, February 13thJohn Farrell Counties Cup, 2nd RoundMullingar Athletic 0 Shinrone Utd; 1Sunday, February 14thDiv 1 Michael Dolan Cup, Round 2Walsh Island 1 Mullingar Athletic 1 - Athletic win 2-4 on penalties after extra time.Sen. Ladies: Tullamore Town 5 Mullingar Athletic 1Midlands LeagueSaturday, February 13thU/11 SFAI Cup : Mullingar Athletic 7 Villa (Waterford) 1U /12: Portuma 3 Mullingar Ath 0U/13: Walsh Island 3 Mullingar Ath 1U/14: Portuma 4 Mullingar Ath 0U/ 15 Major: Mullingar Ath 5 Rosenallis3U 16 Div 1: Frankford 2 Mullingar Ath 4U 12 Girls: Mullingar Ath 2 Tullamore 1U/14 Girls: Mullingar Athletic 1 Bealnamulla 4NDSLSunday, February 14thU/12: Tolka Rovers 1 Mullingar Athletic 4DDSLSaturday, February 13thU/12: Home Farm 1 Mullingar Athletic 2U/13: Mullingar Athletic 6 Lucan 0u/16: Mullingar Athletic 2 St.Kevin's Boys 1Fixtures for week endingFebruary 14thCCFL Combined Counties LeagueSunday 21st FebruaryO'Neill's LFA Junior Cup 5th RoundSt. Peter's vs Mullingar Athletic 2pmDiv 1 : Mullingar Athletic vs Gallen Utd. 11amSen. Ladies: Mullingar Athletic vs Noreside Celtic 2pmMidlands LeagueSaturday, February 20thU/11 : Mullingar Athletic vs Birr Town 11-15amU /12: Derry Rovers vs Mullingar Ath 10-30amU/13: Emo Celtic vs Mullingar Ath 12 o'clockU/14: Tullamore Town vs Mullingar Ath 12-15pm - to be confirmedMullingar Athletic vs Banagher Utd 12-30pmU/ 15 Major: Mullingar Ath vs Killeigh 10amU 16 Div 1: Mullingar Ath vs Frankford 1-45pmU 12 Girls: Tullamore vs Mullingar Ath 11amU/14 Girls: Mullingar Athletic vs Mountmellick - time to be announcedAthlone and District LeagueSaturday, February 20thUnder 10 Texoil CupMullingar Athletic Lions vs St. Francis Eagles 11amUnder 10 Texoil ShieldMullingar Athletic Cougars vs Willow Park Blues 12o'clockMullingar Athletic Pumas vs St. Joseph's Hammers 1o'clockNDSL and DDSL managers will be advised of fixtures during week