Mullaniff leads Multy minors to victory over Athlone

Multyfarnham 3-12, Athlone 2-11

A stunning goal from impressive centre-back Caelan Keavney ensured Multyfarnham held off a strong fightback from Athlone, in the Westmeath Minor Football Division 4 league final, at Multyfarnham on Thursday evening.

Athlone had rallied impressively from six points adrift to trail by just two with seven minutes remaining before Keavney surged forward on one of his powerful runs, only this time he finished it off with a great goal to give the home side breathing space.

On a gloriously warm evening, things were getting a little too close for comfort and the third goal was key for the Multyfarnham side.

It was all square at half-time, 0-7 apiece, and at the end of the third quarter, Multyfarnham had taken a three-point lead after goals from Conor Ledwith and talented centre-forward Josh Mullaniff. But sandwiched in between was a penalty goal from Athlone’s James Geoghegan to keep this final competitive, the outcome still in doubt entering the last 12 minutes.

After the second water break, Multyfarnham found an extra gear and scored 1-2 without reply - Keavney setting up Mullaniff for a point and Ben Thornton following up with another before substitute Max Leavey got in on the scoring act with a fine finish.

Multyfarnham led by 2-11 to 1-8 with 10 minutes to play and seemed set to win with something to spare, but Athlone’s Nathan Henson scored a wonderful goal to get the visitors motoring again.

The corner-forward crashed the ball to the net following Cillian Silke’s delivery and centre-forward Fiachra Feeney quickly added a point from a free to make it 2-11 to 2-9. Game on again. Crucially, Keavney found the net after one of his trademark runs, which were a feature of this match.

Athlone had rallied impressively in the energy-sapping conditions and they enjoyed a two-point lead late in the first half, after Conor Lough’s effort clipped the upright and went over, leaving it 0-7 to 0-5. In the first half, Zac Bates gave Multyfarnham a 0-5 to 0-3 lead before Athlone turned it around with four unanswered points, but a more assertive spell from the home side in the third quarter proved crucial.

A late Mullaniff point had the sides level at the interval and an entertaining second half ensued, at the end of which Multyfarnham were celebrating a deserved success.

Afterwards, Paddy Wallace, Westmeath GAA County Committee chairman, had the honour of presenting the trophy to Josh Mullaniff. Multyfarnham will hope to build on the victory and they have promising players coming through for U20 and adult level, while a similar challenge lies ahead for Athlone.

Scorers - Multyfarnham: J Mullaniff 1-6 (1-0 pen., 0-1f), C Ledwith and C Keavney 1-1 each, B Thornton 0-2, Z Bates and M Leavey 0-1 each. Athlone: F Feeney 0-5 (2f), J Geoghegan 1-1 (1-0 pen.), N Henson 1-0, C Lough, C McEnroe, R Nicholson, O O’Connor and E Whelan 0-1 each.

Multyfarnham: Evan Whyte; Ollie Murphy, Donnchadh Flood, Cian Kennedy; Rhys Brady, Caelan Keavney, Dara Kiernan; Eoghan Goldrick, Shane O’Mara; Zac Bates, Josh Mullaniff, Ben Thornton; Harry Short, Conor Ledwith, Joseph Melligan. Subs used: Max Leavey, Daragh Orme.

Athlone: Joel Idahosa; Conor McEnroe, Philip Heavey, Adam Manning; Ruairi Nicholson, Thomas Tynan-Daly, Cillian Silke; Finn McCormack, Aaron Hardiman; James Geoghegan, Fiachra Feeney, Eoin Whelan; Nathan Henson, Conor Lough, Conleth Feeney. Subs used: Oisin O’Connor, Caimin Gunning.

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Millmore Gaels).