Fine victory for U16 side over Portlaoise
Mullingar Athletic club notes
MSL U16 Div 2 result: Mullingar Athletic AFC 4, Portlaoise AFC 2
Mullingar Athletic U16 Development squad concluded their excellent league campaign with a home tie against Portlaoise Rovers on Saturday last in Gainstown.
These two sides had met just a week previously in the reverse fixture, where Athletic scored a late winner having been behind at half-time to snatch a win 2-3.
In a somewhat improved first half performance this week numerous scoring opportunities were created but Athletic failed to capitalise and again found themselves behind.
Portlaoise scored their only real chance of the first period from a free-kick 25 yards out which curled around the edge of the wall and found the bottom corner, leaving it 0-1 at half-time.
Changes in both personnel and formation at the break ultimately proved decisive.
Vlad Furtuna powered home from the edge of the box to restore parity at 1-1. Minutes later, Morgan O'Grady stood over a free kick 25 yards from goal and curled an unstoppable effort over the wall into the top corner; 2-1.
Athletics' tails were now up and Denis Tican, who delivered his best ever performance collected the ball midway inside the opposition half, skipped past two defenders and sent a powerful strike high into the net from the edge of the box; 3-1.
It looked like it was job done, however a loss of concentration in defence presented a Portlaoise player with an open goal and he duly converted bringing the score to 3-2.
Athletic regrouped however, and a lovely passing move saw the ball squared to Damien Waduge on the penalty spot which he slipped beneath the keeper & sealed the victory at 4-2.
The win leaves Athletic five points clear at the top on 31 points. Results elsewhere this weekend have guaranteed a minimum 2nd place finish.
Matchday squad: Fionn Ledwith, Abdo Bashar, Lucas Ruisinger, Aaron Poynton, Morgan O'Grady, Jamie Timoney, Denys Komar, Liam Ford, Denis Tican, Vlad Furtuna, Aidan Croitoru, James Boyle, Filip Socha, Jack Curran, Damien Waduge
Whatever the final outcome, there are numerous positives to take from the campaign as a whole. Winning became a habit, which meant the team never gave up even when going behind or when not at their best. We became less dependent for goals on a small number of players with 15 different goal scorers across the campaign including several players who scored their first goals for the club, some after many years.
Next up is a shield semi-final over two legs against a resurgent Birr side, who have had a run of impressive results recently.
Irrespective of the outcome, the lads can be generally pleased with how the season so far has gone for them under he guidance of coaches Robert Ruisinger and Michal O`Grady.
Well done lads and best of luck in the Shield Semi Final.
Coaching news
SSG coaches Ian Kenny u11s & Cillian Kiernan u10s attended this coaching event in Abbotstown last Thursday night.
UEFA CPD Course For Developing Defenders at the FAI HQ. Technical details of a CB / FB. Insights with St Pats player, Sean Hoare, on the role of the defender.
Practical demonstrations by Jason McGuinness.
It was topped off by our National Teams Manager, Heimir, dropping in to observe and contribute.
There will be another one of these in June focusing on Midfield players. Well done lads.
St Patrick's Day parade
We are so proud of all our young players who were great ambassadors for Mullingar Athletic AFC at the St Patrick's day parade in Mullingar on Tuesday.
It was great to see everyone involved and enjoying the day.
Huge thanks to our coaches who made themselves available as well as the players themselves and their parents.
Special thanks to Roisin Masterson for organising the new club banner which looked fantastic.
A great club is made up of great people and we are blessed to have so many.
Sympathy
The committee and members of Mullingar Athletic AFC send our deepest condolences to senior men's first team player and captain Ben Shaw and his family following the passing of his dad Eddie, RIP.
Eddie was a former club player and coach himself and was a regular visitor in Gainstown to watch underage and senior games.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shaw family at this very sad time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Everyone at Mullingar Athletic AFC send our deepest condolences to the Andrews family following the death of James Andrews, RIP. James' son David, proprietor of Topline Mullingar Hardware, has been a longtime supporter of our club, and is main sponsor of our senior men's 1st team.
Our thoughts are with James’ wife Annette, as well as his children David, Louise, Séamus, Adrienne, Raymond, Antoinette and Clare. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.