Derby win puts Mullingar Town on top

Seamus Dunne

Mullingar Town secured local bragging rights and top spot in the CCFL Senior Division with a 4-1 victory over Mullingar Athletic in Gainstown last Friday Night.

An even contest for large periods, Town got the upper hand and went two goals ahead. Johnny Keegan reduced the deficit for Athletic, but goals from Sam Watkins and Paul Reid sealed a deserved victory, against a young Athletic side who finished with ten men.

Mullingar Athletic went into the derby top of the league, with Town one point behind in second, and Mullingar Town crucially having two games in hand. The first real chance of the game came for Mullingar Athletic, Seanie Mahon swung in a free, with Liam Brennan firing wide at the back post.

There wasn't much between the sides in the opening quarter of a hour, a typical cagey derby with both teams not looking to give anything away and defending well. The first goal in any game can be so crucial, especially a derby, and the away side got it through the boot of their captain. Former Athletic man Enda Morris delivered a free into the box; the ball wasn’t sufficiently cleared, and it fell to Jason Charles at the back post, who volleyed emphatically into the net.

A great passing move for Town involving Paul Reid, Shane O’Keefe, and David Dyer, created a chance for a second goal. Jamie Loran crossed for striker Sam Watkins to head at goal, and test Athletic’s keeper Mikey Curly.

The ball was cleared up the other end of the Mullingar Athletic Astro and gave Johnny Keegan his first real sniff of goal; Jamie Archibold put it into Keegan’s path, and the former Mullingar Town striker dribbled before shooting wide.

Town didn’t have to wait long in the second half for their second goal, just two second half minutes had elapsed when (prevalent theme) former Athletic player Darragh Kiernan pounced on a mistake in the box from Seanie Mahon, and he volleyed past Athletic goal-minder Mikey Curly.

Athletic needed a route back into the game, and fast; they nearly found themselves 3-0 down when David Dyer pounced on a mistake and forced a save out of Mikey Curly.

On 58 minutes the home side gave themselves a lifeline as Liam Brennan crossed into the box and Johnny Keegan side-footed to the net to set-up a grandstand finish, or so we thought.

To the frustration of the home team’s management, Town restored the two goal gap immediately. The excellent David Dyer released Sam Watkins through on goal, and Sam delicately lobbed the keeper, to the delight of the large away support.

We did unfortunately at times, regrettably, see a few skirmishes between the sides, with tempers running high. Several yellows were handed out and Athletic’s Oisín Tyrell was shown a red to give his side a mountain to climb.

The home side were handed a further blow late on when Seanie Mahon had to go off with an injury, before Mullingar Town got a fourth goal through Paul Reid to wrap up the game, and give the away side top spot and local bragging rights.

Mullingar Athletic: Mikey Curly, Oisín Tyrrell, Jack O’Donnell, Liam Brennan, Dillon Matthews, Seanie Mahon, Efe Siodje, Aaron McLoughlin, Johnny Keegan, Ryan McCormack, Jamie Archibold. Mullingar Athletic Substitutes: Nathan McCullagh for Seanie Mahon (82 mins).

Mullingar Town: David Sheehan, Jamie Loran, David Mimnagh, Paul Reid, Jason Charles, Enda Morris, Shane O’Keefe, David Dyer, Sam Watkins, Dan Beyou, Daragh Kiernan. Mullingar Town substitutes: Tristan Finnane for Dan Beyou (48 mins), Nigel Graham for Sam Watkins (85 mins), Brandon Duggan for Daragh Kiernan (87 mins).

Players booked: Paul Reid, 40 mins (Mullingar Town) Dillon Matthews, 43 mins (Mullingar Athletic), Jack O’Donnell, 48 mins (Mullingar Athletic), Seanie Mahon, 52 mins, (Mullingar Athletic), Liam Brennan, 60 mins, (Mullingar Athletic), Jamie Loran, 60 mins, (Mullingar Town).

Red Card: Oisín Tyrrell, 66 mins, (Mullingar Athletic).

Referee: Kevin Bryant

Examiner's Eye on game

Man of The Match

Paul Reid (Mullingar Town): A good team performance from Mullingar Town, with Jason Charles, Enda Norris, and David Dyer excellent, but the nod goes to Paul Reid who capped off a great display with a goal.