Coolraine frozen out by Athletic

CCFL SENIOR DIVISION RESULT - Mullingar Athletic AFC 1-0 Coolraine FC

After a disappointing result the previous week, week Mullingar Athletic faced an in form Coolraine on Saturday night in Gainstown, in what can only be described as horrendous weather conditions.

Torrential sleet put a question mark over the game going ahead but the both teams bravely played on, with the home side playing into the harsh wind and sleet in the first half.

With Mother Nature behind them, visiting Coolraine started the better of the two. They could have taken the lead only for a magnificent save from Mullingar 'keeper Trevor Martin.

Athletic had a few efforts too - captain Tadgh Nolan came close when cutting in off the left. The Athletic defence stood resolute, Ben Treanor and Emmett Brennan at the heart of it, with Dorian McDonald and Jamie Loran in full back positions. It was Brennan who provided the moment of the first half with a timely block on the line when a Coolraine goal looked certain.

Juraj Zachej was having an outstanding game in midfield. The colossus attempted a cheeky lob over the Coolraine goalie in a one on one situation, and was very unfortunate not to score.

Jordan Scally and Brian Kavanagh worked very hard in midfield, restricting the visitors to very little space or opportunities.

In wide areas Darragh Kiernan and Nathan Scally both looked menacing. Kiernan has been in fantastic form lately and Scally is always a danger. Unfortunately he picked up a knock near the end of the half that ultimately saw him substituted for Keith Hope shortly after the interval.

After the break Athletic had some great chances to score with Coolraine under the cosh.

Hope and Kiernan linked up brilliantly to set Nolan up but a breathtaking save denied Athletic a goal.

It was during this period of sustained pressure that the home side found the breakthrough. Thankfully this coincided with the unforgiving sleet relenting.

Following very dangerous corner from Kiernan which broke loose in the six yard box, Emmett Brennan was smart enough to back heel it into the net.

Mullingar were good value for their lead but the visitors battled hard to try find an equaliser. However, Trevor Martin and his comrades in the back four fought with immense strength and purpose to deny any chance of a goal.

Rhys Keena came off the bench with great energy. The pacy forward came very close following some great play from Loran and Nolan.

Brian Kavanagh also tested the visiting keeper from range only to be denied.

Josh Folan came on to shore up the midfield in the later stages as Athletic held on to gain the victory and a massive 3 points.

This was one of the best performances, from Athletic this season and despite the blip the previous week, a return to the improved form since the turn of the year.

In a game where every man in yellow and green stood strong it's extremely difficult to single out just one player as the top performer, each one contributed to the win.

But with a crucial goal line clearance in the first half and a match winning goal in the second half, the honour goes to Emmett Brennan.

Mullingar Athletic staring line up and subs: Trevor Martin, Dorian McDonald, Emmett Brennan, Ben Treanor, Jamie Loran, Juraj Zachej, Brian Kavanagh, Jordan Scally, Tadgh Nolan (capt), Nathan Scally, Darragh Kiernan. Subs: Keith Hope, Rhys Keena, Josh Folan.