First side prevail in nine-goal thriller

Mullingar Hockey Club notes

Leinster Men’s League - Division 4

Mullingar firsts - 5 (O.Wiltshire, S.Constantine, S.Wiltshire, A.Symes, H.Marl)

Portrane thirds - 4

Mullingar firsts came out on top in a dramatic 5-4 victory over Portrane thirds, surviving a strong second-half fightback to secure all three points. Mullingar made the perfect start when Owen Wiltshire opened the scoring after just five minutes. Our German signing Constantine Sass doubled the lead in the final minutes of the first-quarter to show he is really starting to enjoy his time in Westmeath. Stephen Wiltshire made it three nil shortly after into the second-quarter, putting the home side firmly in control.

Against the run of play Portrane then pulled one back, but Mullingar’s newest signing Alex Symes restored Mullingar’s three-goal advantage seven minutes before the half-time interval. Portrane struck again on the forty-seventh minute to make the score four-two, but the Mullingar side were now rattled and nothing was working right. The visitors continued their comeback, scoring two in quick succession, either side of the third-quarter break to level the match at four all and set up an extremely tense finish. With the game hanging in the balance, Holgar Marl delivered the decisive move with three minutes left on the clock. A brilliant Stephen Wilshire drag flick was well saved, but Marl was quickest to react to the rebound and sent the ball to the back of the net, sealing a hard-earned win in a nine-goal thriller for Mullingar.

It was a spirited, end-to-end encounter, with Mullingar’s early attacking pressure proving decisive despite Portrane’s determined response. The result will give Mullingar plenty of confidence going into their next match against YMCA, but the lapses in concentration will worry the Mullingar management.

Player of the Match: Holger Marl.

Mullingar Squad: Conor Dunne, Stuart Waddle, Rob Ashley (c), Holger Marl, Alex Symes, Oisin Keogh, Sass Constantine, Cameron Wiltshire, Owen Wilshire, Stephen Wiltshire, Marc Watters, James Dent, James O’Malley and Tom Fay.

Leinster Ladies League - Division 13

Mullingar 2nds - 2 (E.Allen; L.Watters)

Bray 5ths - 1

Mullingar Ladies 2nd team maintained their winning streak last Saturday, as they hosted Bray’s fifth team at Wilson’s Hospital. Boosted by the win the week before against Glenanne, Mullingar set out against Bray with a nearly full-strength squad, with only Avril McCormack and Anna Bannon not available and the Mullingar girls used the bench to their advantage.

Bray took a risky approach playing only eleven outfield players which meant no goalkeeper. Bray started the first quarter strong, finding the back of Mullingar’s net in the third minute scoring their only goal of the game. That goal brought Mullingar out of their relaxed state and started bringing the ball up the field towards the unguarded goal, but Bray did have an extra defender, so it was not easy to beat five defenders. On one such foray into the ‘D’ in the eleventh minute, Ella Allen played a neat one-two with Lilly Watters and the Ballymahon youngster made no mistake from six yards to put Mullingar on the scoreboard.

As the second-quarter began Mullingar strengthened their defence, taking the wind out of any Bray hopes of a second goal. On nineteen minutes, great play through the middle of the park by Alanna Foran and Zara Allen, saw the latter find Lilly Watters just outside the 25 and young Watters went on a solo run driving past two defenders into the ‘D’ to score her second of the season and Mullingar’s second.

Bray challenged Mullingar's defence either side of half-time, pressing closer to the Mullingar goal, winning a few short-corners, but not scoring any additional goals, even after a penalty stroke was awarded, but Louise Sharpe stood firm to keep the slender Mullingar lead.

Mullingar did not rest on their laurels and continued their drive forward to try score more goals, with the midfield and forward players creating opportunities and shots which were all shut down by a stubborn Bray defence which was coming under increasing pressure.

The game was end to end, but both defences were doing enough to prevent any further goals. A special mention to both Marie Meehan and Brenda McLaughlin who made their debuts for Mullingar, even if Brenda’s was extremely short, due to a leg muscle injury.

So, get better soon Brenda and hopefully you get more of a run out the next time you tog out.

Player of the Match: Ella Allen.

Mullingar Squad: Louise Sharpe, Becci O’Keeffe (c), Raimey O’Boyle, Eleanor Mulligan, Alice Potterton, Alanna Foran, Ella Allen, Judi Roulston-Mooney, Zara Allen, Rachel Gouldsbury, Katelyn Griffith, Lilly Watters, Joan Leonard, Marie Meehan, Brenda McLaughlin and Clare Kelly.

Upcoming Schedule:

Monday 19th October

19:00 in Wilson’s Hospital - Under 14/16 Girls Training

Tuesday 20th October

19:15 in Wilson’s Hospital - Senior Men’s Training

Wednesday 21st October

19:00 in Wilson’s Hospital - Senior Ladies Training

Saturday 24th October

Ladies 1st’s @ home to Dublin North 2nd’s @ 11am

Sunday 25th October

Under 8’s, 10’s & 12’s Boys & Girls training in the Loreto College @ 11am