Under strength Mullingar hit for four

Our Lady’s fourth 4, Mullingar first 0

Mullingar Ladies 1s side travelled to face Our Lady’s 4s Saturday morning in a league encounter. Mullingar were hoping to get a win and start moving up the table. However, facing a strong Our Lady’s side, who were placed second, meant it was going to be a tall order.

The travelling side was facing an up hill challenge from the get-go as they had to travel with only ten players leaving them a player short. Mullingar coach Adrian Quinn, however, had the ladies well set up to keep out the Our Lady’s attack. Mullingar dealt well and kept Our Lady’s scoreless in the first quarter and were unlucky themselves not to go a goal ahead with skipper Ruby Murray and midfielder Emma Harding coming close.

The second quarter started horribly for Mullingar as they found themselves down to eight players for a good portion of the second quarter. The two girls who came close to scoring in the first quarter unfortunately had to come off for some medical treatment. Murray got a ball hammered at her foot and Harding got a hockey ball right to the knee. With the team having only ten players they bravely tried to power through the pain, but they were forced to go off for a period of time to get the knocks looked at. With players short and Mullingar bodies starting to wilt, Our Lady’s took full advantage and got three goals quickly back to back.

The third quarter found Mullingar doing most of the defending but their stand in sweeper who is normally a midfielder, Sarah Cawley, was having an excellent game. Mullingar, however, did look threatening on the counter attack with midfielder Elle Anna flying up and down the pitch. But unfortunately for Mullingar, they just couldn’t find the back of the goal.

The final quarter saw Mullingar on top. As the game went on the young Mullingar side, with an average age of 17, seemed to get more energetic, surprisingly. Our Lady’s, however, did get a goal on a counter attack with Mullingar being in full attack mode.

Emma Harding will be scratching her head as to how she didn’t score. Mullingar were rewarded a short corner, Harding was waiting ready at the top of the D. A great push out from Murray followed by a drag flick from Harding going right into the top left corner of the goal but somehow the Our Lady’s defender managed to get her stick to it sending the ball out and wide. The game finished 4-0 to the home side. Mullingar coach Adrian Quinn was annoyed at the final whistle because he knew if he had a full squad on the day, Mullingar could’ve definitely gotten something out of the game. However, he was immensely proud of his team who put in an excellent effort.

Player Of The Match: Sarah Cawley.

The ladies are back in action next Saturday when they have a crucial game versus YMCA in the cup.