Mullingar Town survive second half onslaught to reach final

Mullingar Town 1, Longford Rovers 0

Mullingar Town clung on for dear life in the second-half of this cup semi-final at a sun drenched D’Alton Park on Saturday afternoon.

After Johnny Keegan put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute of the match, the teams remained firing at each other until half-time. From there, the host’s goal was under siege, withstanding wave after wave of Longford Rover’s attacks until the full-time whistle blew.

After both teams settled into the match, Mullingar struck gold after just four minutes of play; Dean Kavanagh put Johnny Keegan through on goal, who calmly slid the ball past an out rushing Shane Goe and into the net.

After Etanda NKolo struck the side netting for Longford Rovers moments later, the hosts would find two further opportunities to extend their lead in a two minute spell. Johnny Keegan’s shot close to goal flew over the crossbar from David Mimnagh’s pass in the seventh minute, and a minute later Gerry Bowen’s pass found Jamie Loran, who couldn’t connect with the ball as it trickled wide

From then until the half hour mark, the visitors took control and had great chances themselves. Alan Farrell was called into action to deny a Mark Rossiter header flying straight at him in the ninth minute, while the Longford Rovers number nine squandered a rare mishandling of the ball by the Mullingar goalkeeper, while a dangerous Brian Greville corner was blocked by Jason McGrath. Further opportunities came for Ryan McGoey, whose superbly curled free was foiled by Alan Farrell 15 minutes in, and a glorious chance fell to Etando NKolo nine minutes later, who was through on goal, but hesitated to shoot, giving the opposing defence time to scramble back and block the shot.

The hosts got a string of opportunities from here until half-time. Dean Kavanagh had an effort caught by the goalkeeper after 36 minutes, while Gerry Bowen and David Mimnagh came close to adding to the tally, while for the visitors Paddy Hernandez and Mark Rossiter were both superbly denied by Alan Farrell, and thanks to their goalkeepers heroics Mullingar held onto their 1-0 lead at the interval.

Second-half siege begins

Mullingar Town’s tactics were very evident in the second half: protect the lead at all costs. They didn’t sit back through the entire duration of the half, though, though. Johnny Keegan’s effort from range in the 51st minute and Oisin Tyrell’s tight-angled effort 20 minutes later were just two of the chances that came their way. Otherwise, it was all Longford Rovers, and on another day, the Mullingar net would have bulged. But not on Saturday.

The best opportunities would be littered throughout the half: Brian Greville’s cross into the box caused havoc in the back-line before Gary McMahon headed clear in the 63rd minute; Paddy Hernandez had a superb opportunity seven minutes later, when after being played in by Mark Rossiter, had his shot saved by Alan Farrell, and Etanda Nkolo’s run in behind the defence in the 74th minute had the Mullingar goalkeeper rushing out to tackle and clear the danger.

The visitors will be annoyed with the chances they left behind them. Mark Rossiter had a great opportunity with 15 minutes to go after beating his man but he sent the ball wide, while two corners were cleared by the head of Oisin Tyrell and the fist of Alan Farrell. The Mullingar Town goalkeeper would pull off the best save of the match that even had opposing fans admiring, when he outstretched his right arm with just three minutes of normal time to go to brilliantly deny Mark Rossiter’s header when it seemed destined to ripple the net.

Mullingar Town goals and assists: Johnny Keegan ‘4 (Dean Kavanagh assist).

Mullingar Town: Alan Farrell; Mick O’Rourke, Stevie McNamee, Gary McMahon, Jason McGrath; Dean Kavanagh, Jamie Loran, David Masterson; Johnny Keegan, Gerry Bowen, David Mimnagh. Substitutes: Oisin Tyrell for Jason McGrath (53), Cian McGrath for Gerry Bowen (66), Jack Hall for Johnny Keegan (83).

Longford Rovers: Shane Goe; Lee Jordan, Dylan Flanagan, Ryan McGoey, Darragh Kelly; Thomas Ivel, Brian Greville, Mario Piriog; Mark Rossiter, Paddy Hernandez, Etanda NKolo. Substitutes: Brian O’Connor for Mario Piriog (57), Dawid Kalina for Darragh Kelly (83), Lorcán Keown for Brian Greville (45+2).

Referee: Willie Stokes.