Malachy’s just about do it in an uninspiring Div 3 finale

The Division 3 final in TEG Cusack Park on a muggy and warm Monday night last was surely one of the lowest scoring and in truth least entertaining games in many a long day.

The new footballing maxim of not allowing the opposition score to outweigh scoring enough yourself was en vogue and the real loser on the evening was the game of football itself. In total, there were 26 wides which is another indicator of the poor quality on view and some of those of the ‘Moon River’ variety, wider than a mile!. That being said the players tried their best and represented their clubs with distinction, Ultimately, it was the Dysart based club that ultimately battled through against their town counterparts and possibly just about edged the contest and lifted the cup.

From the outset St Malachy's set out their stall and played with the sweeper system and at times two sweepers and Shamrocks really struggled for any penetration of a resolute Malachy's defence while at the other end the Saints barely broke the 40-yard line. However, when they did, they did so in style with a field long move that ended with Jack Gallagher netting a super team goal.

It had taken ten minute for the first score but Shamrocks did reply with two Conor O’Brien frees and a fine score from Zach Aherne to draw level but in that period they also hit several very poor wides and not to be outdone, Malachy's went down the far end and added to the wide tally just before the short whistle which saw teams finish level at 1-0 to 0-3, following an eminently forgettable first half.

The start of the second period continued in much the same vein with Shamrocks dominating the exchanges, but they could not trouble the score keeper despite numerous good chances. Cian Gavigan punished them for their paucity with a super solo score before Shane Corcoran put two between the sides from a free. Shamrocks kept plugging away though and after another O’Brien free Trevor Keena levelled matters with the score of the game after a mazy run from Emmett Walsh was finished with aplomb.

Again both sides hit some very poor wides, but Malachy's substitute Darren Ruane lifted the malaise with a beauty from long range, only to see Shamrocks replacement Luke McCabe repeat the dose at the other end with an equally fine strike. Malachy's then butchered a great goal chance and we looked to be heading for extra-time, but after red cards for Shamrocks Walsh and Malachy's Shane Clavin for an off the ball altercation, it was the saints who grabbed the initiative.

Neal Kirby pointed from a very acute angle before picking up a black card and Shamrocks had one last chance only to see O’Brien's long range free drift wide. St Malachy's duly held on to claim the title.

Afterwards Morgan Gavigan accepted the shield from County Committee chairman Frank Mescall and the Dysart side had grabbed their first silverware of 2023. They will now be hoping to back that up as the championship approaches.

Scorers - St. Malachy’s: Jack Gallagher 1-0, Cian Gavigan, Shane Corcoran (free), Neal Kirby and Darren Ruane 0-1 each. Mullingar Shamrocks: Conor O’Brien 0-3 all frees, Zach Aherne, Trevor Keena and Luke McCabe 0-1 each.

St. Malachy’s: Eoin Glennon, Eoin Kiernan, Aaron Glennon, Shane Clavin, David Maloney, Peter Murphy, Paul O’Sullivan, Cian Gavigan, Naoise McKenna, Fergal O’Brien, Morgan Gavigan, Odhrán Gavigan, Jack Gallagher, Shane Corcoran, Neal Kirby. Subs: Niall O’Brien for O’Sullivan (35 mins), Darren Ruane for Fergal O’Brien (45 mins).

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran, Eamonn Breslin, Aaron Purcell, Matthew Siode, David Coyne, Brendan O’Reilly, Niall Hardiman, James Larkin, Mark Flynn, Emmett Walsh, Zach Aherne, John O’Reilly, Trevor Keena, Conor O’Brien, Nathan Cornally. Subs: Neil Hannigan for Breslin (37 mins), Luke McCabe for Cornally (42 mins), Pearse Corroon for John O’Reilly (45 mins).

Referee: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).