O’Gara maintains Mullingar Athletic’s unbeaten record

A stoppage time goal from Hugh O’Gara salvaged a point for Mullingar Athletic as Monksland United came close to ending the only unbeaten record in the CCFL U-17 Premier Division.

Monksland held a two-goal lead at half-time but the visitors struck twice late on at Cushla Park last Saturday afternoon to share the spoils.

Mullingar had a perfect record having won all their league games to date and started confidently as they looked to keep their winning run going. First chance fell to Athletic’s Ben Sheeran who headed a free kick over with Tom Daly flashing a shot on the turn wide. Monksland earned the first corner kick of the contest after ten minutes from which Patrick Hussey headed over. Mullingar forced their first corner soon after with Monksland then increasing their tally with two more in quick succession.

It was proving to be an interesting contest as the half progressed with United responding well to the encouragement provided by manager David Marsh. However, the hosts could easily have fallen into arrears after 20 minutes, only to be rescued by the woodwork. Sean Plunkett tried his luck from the edge of the penalty box but saw his shot hit off the post.

A corner soon followed for the visitors as United keeper Ryan Digan then denied Beau Greene with a good block. Monksland responded and Ben Sheeran had a shot parried by Paul Keating.

There was a shock in store though for the table toppers as Monksland struck for the opening score after 42 minutes, with Luke Wheatley firing a long range strike past the keeper to the net.

It was to get even better for Marsh’s team when they doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. A corner kick saw Sean Fortune head the delivery down and Hussey forced the ball home from close range.

Mullingar’s perfect record was now in danger of being smashed but they were not about to conceded the points just yet and still had a chance to reduce the deficit in stoppage time. Digan came to Monksland’s rescue when getting down at his near post to push behind a shot from Daly.

For much of the second half, it looked like Monksland would upset the visitors but the league leaders were not about to surrender their unbeaten record without a fight. The visitors earned an early corner with Digan then pulling off another good save to deny Plunkett.

The home team weathered the early storm and got to beyond the hour mark looking reasonably comfortable. After substitute Cathal Ferry fired over, a Shane Doran cross from the left bounced off the bar with Stephen Devlin drilling a snap shot over the bar.

However, the game was to take a dramatic turn in Mullingar’s favour on 71 minutes. Greene had a shot blocked initially and as United struggled to clear, Hussey was penalised for handball.

It took nearly five minutes though for the resulting penalty kick drama to be completed as a feisty affair unfolded. Plunkett stepped up to take the spot kick which Digan saved. The home keeper though was adjudged to have come off his line and the penalty kick had to be retaken. Mullingar made the most of the reprieve as this time Brian Ronan took responsibility from 12 yards and found the net.

Mullingar were now in pursuit of an equaliser but the next chance was to fall United’s way as Junior Miranda fired over. As full-time approached, the hosts were still holding onto their slender lead and dealt comfortably with a corner after 87 minutes. The two-goal advantage could have been restored in the penultimate minute but Darren Kenny’s free kick strike from the left clipped the bar.

There was further drama to follow as the game headed into stoppage time. Mullingar grabbed an equaliser in this period and might even have completed an amazing comeback with a winner in the last action of the game.

The concession of a free kick in the third additional minute proved costly for the home team. Plunkett sent in the delivery from the left and O’Gara headed home, leaving Monksland unhappy that they could not hold out for a win.

It could easily have ended empty handed for the hosts as Mullingar had a good chance to steal all three points a minute after grabbing an equaliser. Mark Sugrue had the opportunity to be Athletic’s hero but Digan ensured it would end honours even when blocking the substitute’s shot.

Monksland United: Ryan Digan, Loba Collins, Brian Finneran, Patrick Hussey, Sean Fortune, Luke Wheatley, Stephen Devlin, Darren Kenny, Donagh McCarthy, Junior Miranda, Shane Doran. Subs: Cathal Ferry for McCarthy (half-time); James Connaughton for Doran (63 mins).

Mullingar Athletic: Paul Keating, Hugh O’Gara, Andrew Gavigan, Ronan Byrne, Rory McCaul, James Rusinek, Sean Plunkett, Ethan Meissonave, Beau Greene, Ben Sheeran, Tom Daly. Subs: Jack Carroll for Sheeran (31 mins); Brian Ronan and Mark Sugrue for Meissonave and Daly (half-time); Adam Smith for Gavigan (77).

Referee: Kieran Bracken (Longford).