Double delight as Athletic win U16 cup

It has only been a matter of weeks since Mullingar Athletic’s outstanding U16 side was crowned Midland Schoolboys League U16 champions. It was very apt that they also got to feature in the MSL Cup showpiece final at the weekend. Opposition came in the form of Tullamore Town, who have enjoyed a fine run of form of late.

Mullingar made it through after two incredibly tough, intense matches against Portlaoise Town in the semi-finals, winning 4-3 at home and 3-2 away to come out victorious 7-5 on aggregate, to book a place in the final.

Both teams started Saturday’s showdown with great purpose, with Athletic coming close as chances fell to captain Shane Cully and Alex Sheerin, as the opening half progressed. Ameen Hacini led the line brilliantly from the get-go, proving a constant threat to the Tullamore defence throughout the game.

Goalkeeper Darragh Mullen has enjoyed an excellent season for Mullingar between the sticks, having performed very well in both the league and cup. He was ably protected by a back four of Alan Turzyck, Cathal Nevin, Ethan Bannon and Emmett Brennan.

It was Brennan who found the break through with a probing free kick that deceived the keeper from all of 40 yards. Mullingar were good value for the lead at that time, but Tullamore fought back as they searched for an equaliser. This came as a result of sustained pressure especially on their left as their tricky winger created enough space to fire past Mullen into the bottom corner.

The Mullingar midfield of Mohamed Mugtabe, Ruairí O’Dowd and Shane Cully began to take control of the latter stages of the half. Hayden Nolan and Fionn Maguire were introduced to great effect in the wide areas. Maguire came close with a trademark free kick from 30 yards and a series of corners also lead to Athletic chances, but at the interval the game was tied at one a piece.

Mullingar made a number of changes at half time with Cillian Kelly, Owen McMahon and Ryan Kenny coming on. McMahon was cruelly denied a goal for offside following some wonderful play from Simon Jorgensen on the left. Kenny slotted seamlessly into the back four, along with Mugtabe both held off the Blue waves of attack as their long probing balls were causing moments of concern.

Sean Tully and Shane Hopkins were dictating play the middle of the park, both used the ball intelligently and in a positive manner, always spreading the play looking to create yellow waves of attack.

When a free kick was awarded in the edge of the Mullingar box, it came as a body blow when it was converted into the top corner to give Tullamore the lead. But this did not affect this determined young side. Maguire, Hacini and Mugtabe all came close with efforts but it was Brennan and his left foot again who found Alex Sheerin at the back post to slot home, making it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go. Again Mullingar had a series of corners, Jorgensen and Cully testing the Blue defence with exceptional delivery into the area.

The final whistle blew meaning extra time at the very least was needed to seperate the teams. In some seering conditions the heat and sun meant both teams were at their limits at this juncture. Mullingar enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances in additional time, however for all in attendance it looked a certainty that this tie was going to a penalty shootout.

In the dying moments of the game a free kick awarded on the right of the Tullamore area was taken by swiftly by Cully. The Mullingar captain expertly found Sheerin with a well thought out set piece to rifle home into the top corner. This sent the Mullingar faithful into hysteria as there were only seconds remaining on the clock.

A moment of magic from Cully and Sheerin, the latter scoring six goals over the Semi Finals and Finals, capped off an incredible year that saw the Gainstown boys follow up last summer’s League title and Cup runner up with an impressive MSL Major League and Lennon Cup.

This was nothing less than this superb squad deserved with some incredible scoring displays, especially in the last number of weeks when it mattered most. With such a large talented panel, massive credit goes to those that missed out at the weekend such as Sam Molloy, Daire McDonald, Matthew Doyle, Beau Green and Gonzalo Chueca, all of whom contributed greatly to this momentous campaign.

Athletic are also well stacked in the goalkeeping department with Shane Cunningham and Julius Mock backing up Mullen. Athletic can now enjoy the glory as they end the season on a high, as these fine young footballers can look forward to next season and the commencement of youth football.

Many thanks to the kind sponsors that helped along the way, Maguire Dental and Tully’s Pharmacy. Ennell Jewellers generously gifted a beautiful smart watch which will be awarded to the player of the season in the coming weeks.