Cubs contest Shield Final with aplomb!

St. Joseph's 2-1 Mullingar Athletic -- Mullingar Cubs returned to the ground where they saw an early league defeat, their first match under coaches Edward Byrne and Patrick Kiernan. With no pre-season the Cubs built from that match towards this final, the Premier Shield vs St. Josephs'.These teams had met previously sharing seven goals. A game where the Cubs had shown their strength by coming back to within one goal after a late burst. St. Josephs had left that game knowing that they were saved by the bell. This game was set to be an exciting proposition.The Cubs lined out as they had done in the semi-final. They had beaten St. Joseph Beavers emphatically by 4 goals to nil. This commanding performance warranted faith in the same line-up. The Cubs kicked off the game where they had left off in the semi-final and through Naoise McKenna they enjoyed the most possession and threatened repeatedly in the first few minutes. Josh Kiernan came close with Cathal Byrne providing immense support play on the right of the aforementioned attacking trio. However it took a quick break on the counter to allow the Cubs to score through McKenna. Gareth O Connor provided the interception and having fed Shane Meehan, Naoise was put through for a neat finish. The Cubs were comfortable with this position and felt they had the measure of St. Josephs. Even within this period of dominance St. Josephs had troubled the Cubs down either flank and but for dogged tackling by Jamie Rooney and Stephen Clarke there may have been more to worry about. The Cubs continued to counter effectively and it was on one of these raids that Naoise McKenna was tripped in the penalty area. Josh Kiernan was brave enough to step up and unfortunately he dragged his shot past the base of the post with the keeper beaten.Shingi Chidavaezi and Keelan Monaghan slotted in to familiar roles to add stability on either wing. Jason Thomas came in up front to provide some muscle. St. Josephs' No. 4, their sweeper was starting to exert his influence. He advanced into midfield on occasion to threaten with some passes over the top of the Cubs defense. Thankfully Gareth O Connor and Charlie Fletcher were in constant communication and cleaned up these passes which overran on the hard surface. This was a feature of this period of play and the Cubs still threatened whenever they managed to build up attacking patterns of quick passing. The game seemed to be in the balance as St. Josephs were starting to find their feet.In the final period the Cubs needed to shore things up and Jamie, Josh and Gerry O Connor were brought in. The Cubs were confident having had the better of the chances. As is always the case when a team expects to hang on to a 1-0 lead, they are inviting trouble. The opening minutes of this period were a shock to the Cubs system. Immediately St. Josephs snapped into tackles, attacked with venom and came close to scoring.The Cubs defense were finding it hard to deal with St. Josephs never mind the unusual gale wind that struck up at the same time. It seemed like an omen.The Cubs tried to grapple back dominance but this time they tried to dribble through St. Josephs defense individually to no avail.St. Josephs took advantage of the easy possession and found space behind the Cubs defense. St. Josephs No. 4, their captain, skipped through two challenges and shot arrow-like into the top corner. This was a fabulous goal and was hard not to appreciate even for the Cubs. The nature of the goal seemed to condemn the Cubs and they played from the tip off like men awaiting execution. St. Josephs needed no invitation and struck again from a similar position cutting in from the right of the Cubs defense. 1-2 !!The final had turned on its head. The Cubs were now losing for the first time having led for most of the game. St. Josephs coaches and supporters were cheering vociferously now in anticipation of a possible win. The Cubs showed huge courage and looked for the equalizer and it was testament to how close they came in two attacks that the St. Josephs supporters were deathly quiet as the Cubs blasted their shots at goal. The Cubs attacked one final time and McKennas shot was blocked down by what looked like an arm but the hand was not raised and as a 'ball to hand' in would not be given as a penalty. The game was called to a close by the referee who had a brilliant game, allowing two footballing teams to get stuck into each other. St. Josephs had pipped the Cubs to the post, but the Cubs could look towards the progress they had made since they had last visited this ground.Special mention must go to the unused Dillon Tone who was necessarily held in reserve for the possible onset of extra time in this tight game. The Cubs Man of the match was goalie Charlie Fletcher.The AGM will take place on Wednesday, May 5 at 8pm in the clubhouse. We hope to see all our senior players, coaches, managers and supporters attend this very important annual meeting when decisions affecting our club will be discussed and decided upon for the forthcoming season.Results of the draw will be published next week. A considerable number of our teams are contesting both Cup and Shield Finals in the next few days.We wish all teams and their managers the best of luck.