Corcoran and Mullins inspire deserved Kilbeggan success

West Leinster Senior League Div. 2 final

Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan 3 Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon 3 (AET)

(Mercy SS, Kilbeggan win 4-3 on penalties)

WIth Shane Corcoran at his imperious best up front, Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan captured the West Leinster Senior League Division 3 title with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over their Ballymahon counterparts, at Mullingar Athletic grounds, Gainstown on Wednesday.

Corcoran’s class allied to the goalkeeping exploits of Conor Mullins saw Kilbeggan take victory, with Mullins producing two crucial saves in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

Played in relentless rain, it is testament to the superb facilities at the home of Mullingar Athletic FC that this game actually went ahead. The main pitch was in impeccable condition given the inclement weather.

Kilbeggan looked to be cruising to victory when leading by 3-1 after 76 minutes - Corcoran completing his hat-trick when heading home a delivery from Ryan Weston (free kick). There was a late twist, however as a resurgent Ballymahon side scored twice in the space of a minute through Sean Egan and Josh Kelly to force extra-time and after a predictably dour 20 minutes, a penalty shoot-out was required.

Kilbeggan trailed in the shoot-out, but eventually emerged with the spoils when Jacob Browne’s effort found the net to bring a dramatic game to a conclusion - Mullins managing to save with the feet in the tricky conditions to complete a memorable win.

*Full report and photos in next week's print edition.