Under 12s triumph in thrilling Cup final after additional time

Mullingar Athletic U12s 2, St. Joseph's Boys 2 (Mullingar win 4-2 on penalties) -- Athletic's Under 12s secured their second trophy of the season with a hard earned victory in the Hillary cup final at the windy A.U.L. grounds in Clonshaugh. St Joseph's Boys - playing a division above Athletic this season- began with the strong wind on their backs and pegged Mullingar back from the start. It took five minutes to launch their first attack, and it could not have been more productive. Ryan Dempsey was fouled just outside the box and James Baker stepped up to rifle the resultant free kick into the roof of the net.Athletic's two front men supported by wingers Tye Adamson and Andrew Kilmartin found it difficult to break through a strong and quick Joey's defence and the only other real chance to score arose from identical circumstances. However, this time James Baker's set piece, although powerful and on target, was a shade lower and was caught by the keeper.The opposition took advantage of the wind when a long punt downfield caught the Mullingar defence napping, and although 'keeper Luke Tormey got his fingers to the Joey's attackers shot, it stole in at the far post. Joeys had the momentum now, and within a few minutes were in front. Their alert attacker pounced on a half clearance from the Athletic defence and fired an unstoppable drive across the Mullingar 'keeper. Fortunately, Athletic composed themselves, with hard working midfielders Jake O'Meara and Shane O'Keeffe playing deeper to bolster the defence, and held out until the break without going further behind.With the wind in their sails, the Mullingar boys began the second half in determined mood, but took ten minutes to grab the equaliser. James Baker, with his back to goal at the corner of the box, turned and rifled a magnificent half volley to the far top corner. Joey's rallied and tested the Mullingar defence where James Monghan had to be at his best to frustrate their speedy left winger. Luke Tormey used his height and strength punching two corners clear. Niall Gavin and Cormac Murray worked hard in central defence and when a Joey's winner looked likely near the end, Tom Gavin rose to head clear. The closest Athletic came to grabbing the lead again was when Andrew Kilmartin controlled and turned but shot tamely at the keeper.Extra time came and went with no clear chances for either team, and the result had to be decided by a penalty shootout. Mullingar had practised for this eventuality, and it showed. Captain, Jake O'Meara stepped up to take the first and sent the goalie the wrong way. After Joey's reply, Shane O'Keeffe fired another to the keeper's left. This was followed by a successful reply before Cormac Murray blasted his kick in to leave Mullingar 3-2 ahead. Joey's next ballooned over the bar and Conor Coughlan stepped up to emphatically put Athletic 4-2 ahead. Mullingar 'keeper Luke Tormey added the cream to the cake when he dived low to his left to smother Joey's fourth and was promptly mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.With the main target of promotion already secured, this cup triumph was a bonus and Athletic can now chase the league title with renewed confidence.Squad: Luke Tormey, Dean Ennis, Carson McConnell, Oisin Quinn, Ronan O'Toole, James Monaghan, Tom Gavin, Conor Coughlan, Cormac Murray, Niall Gavin, Jake O'Meara, Shane O'Keeffe, Tye Adamson, Andrew Kilmartin, Ryan Dempsey, James Baker.