Athletic B – ‘it’s just like watching Brazil’

Conditions were perfect in Gainstown at the weekend as Mullingar Athletic’s B side looked to build on an impressive upturn in form since the new year. After defeating Ballymahon 3-2 last weekend to send them into second behind leaders Temple Villa, a win would put Athletic just 2 points behind their opponents.

That just shows how hard this side have worked and improved over the last dew months.

Temple Villa won the reverse tie 7-3 in September, so Mullingar knew they had a tough task ahead but rose to the occasion with aplomb.

Athletic started in great fashion as Killian Jackson and Will Scahill created some early chances. Midfield powerhouse Donnacha Maguire has rejuvenated this side in recent months, and was unlucky not to get on to a Scahill cross.

Minutes later, however, Scahill found the in-form Daire Cleary on the edge of the box, and he fired home an unstoppable shot to give the hosts the lead.

Credit to the visitors as they fought back and were unfortunate to hit the crossbar, but every time Athletic broke in the counter, they looked dangerous.

Seamus O’Brien was again magnificent in goal – however it must be said the Jack Tynan and Cathal Nevin were excellent at the heart of the defence.

Athletic’s full backs were simply class, Conor Kilmurray and Ross Tully were both dependable and dangerous in equal measures.

In midfield, Alan Turzyck and Riley Mead were both on top form and controlled the game from start to finish but their good work allowed Donnacha Maguire and Daire Cleary to start attacks as was shown with Cleary’s brilliant strike.

The home team were leading 1-0 at half time, and there certainly was all to play for in the second half.

Athletic were magnificent, considering they were 4-1 down at half time when in Mount Temple earlier in the season – so this signified how much these group of players have improved.

What followed in the second half was Athletic B’s finest 45 minutes of the season to date.

Within minutes of the restart, Scahill fired in a brace in a matter of minutes, both similar type goals with space opening in the Temple Villa defence for two classy strikes on target.

Then, on came Luke Raeside and Fionn Maguire to devastating effect.

Immediately both speedsters ran at the visiting defence, Fionn Maguire played more up front and showed his fantastic finishing ability to also grab two goals in quick succession.

The forward was so unlucky not to get a second half hat-trick, and it was nothing more than he deserved in what was a stunning attacking display.

The visitors spent much of the second period penned into their own half.

JJ McNamee came very close to scoring on a few occasions and Adam Glynn caused a lot of problems in the box as he looked for add to last week’s crucial winner.

Dylan Carey continued his recovery from injury with a fine showing at full back.

This was the cherry on top of the cake for Mullingar.

A brilliant performance, and 5-0 win against the leaders was more than anyone could have asked for.

It is just too difficult to pick a man of the match as every player in yellow and green was on top of his game in the performance of the season so far.

With Mullingar Ath B now just 2 points off top in the North Division and the first team top of the Premier Division, this illustrates just how much depth and quality Mullingar Athletic possess at this level.

A magnificent statement for the club, and one to be proud of, the future is bright in yellow and green.

Mullingar Athletic scorers: Daire Cleary, Will Scahill (2), Fionn Maguire (2).