Mullingar Shamrocks Juniors come through after tough championship test from Athlone

JuniorOur Junior team played host to Athlone in the Junior Championship in Springfield on Tuesday night last and managed a four point win.They were made work for the win all the way and a late Shamrocks spurt saw them over the line. It was honours even at the break but Athlone went ahead early in the second period.Scores from Dean Moore, Stephen Noonan and Brian Melody brought Shamrocks back into it and despite a late Athlone rally the boys in green held on to just about nick an entertaining contest. Gareth Doyle and Mark Collentine were excellent at midfield with Collentine chipping in with a superb late point.At the back Conor Twomey and Michael Burke were the pick while up front John Ganley, Moore, Cashman and sub Noonan were lively and ensured that the Junior team matched their senior counterparts with full points from two games.Under 16The 16s travelled to Caulry on Monday night last to take on the home team in the latest round of the League and came back empty handed after a five point defeat.This was a game that slipped from the boys hands from the word go and they struggled against a far more committed and determined Caulry 15. After two defeats in two weeks the League seems to be beyond the boys grasp.Jack Quinn was the pick of the bunch while Dylan McDermott and Davy Coyne were others to impress but that was about as good as it got for the boys and they will be as disappointed as anyone with the results so far in this campaign.Under 14The 14s took on Athlone in a non League game in Springfield on Thursday night last. This was a super contest that ebbed and flowed throughout. Athlone had the better of the opening exchanges and Shamrocks lost goalie Conor Bracken through injury but stand in Ross Corroon had a fine game and could not be held accountable for any of the goals conceded while in defence James Shaw was outstanding as was Niall Kevin until he had to withdraw through injury.The half back line again was exceptional with Luke Byrne having a massive game at centre half back while Billy Flynn was calmness personified. Conor O'Brien and Sean Lee were superb in midfield while Darren Keena was outstanding and kept Shamrocks in the game at time bit had good assistance from Danny Purcell and Darren Carter.The one point winning margin for Athlone does not tell the tale of the match as a whole but the Shamrocks boys are progressing nicely and playing a lovely brand of football in the processUnder 12The 12s travelled to Multyfarnham last Wednesday for a league match. Shamrocks started well with Jack Carton and Andrew Connaughton strong in midfield and scores coming from Thady Joyce and Mark Whalley that left the teams level at half time.Kenneth O'Reilly burst into life in the second half and scored 2-1 and he was ably assisted in the Shamrocks fight back by Conor McKenna, Jesse Hope and Cormac Murphy. Shamrocks ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of 5-8 to 3-5.GirlsThe Under 12s had a great win against Ballycomoyle in Springfield on Tuesday night last with a fine display of flowing football.Panel: Grace Walsh, Lisa O'Reilly, Michelle Morris, Rebecca Kilmartin, Shona McNicholas, Rachel Hannigan, Laura Whitelaw, Claire Fagan, Caoimhe O'Dowd, Lauren McCormack, Melick Fagan, Chelsea Dunne, Nicole Moore, Shauna Meyers, Phoebe Harte, Holly Walsh, Holly McCormack, Ellen Sleator, Rachel O'Dowd, Ava Whelan, Moya BuckleyThe 14s had to yield to a much bigger and stronger St. Lomans on Thursday night and despite a huge age and size difference they gave a fine display and worked hard throughout despite being overrun at times.Panel: Casey McDermott, Dana Whelan, Rosanne Healy, Levita Lazuaskite, Chloe Swarbrigg, Rebecca Ward, Faye Walsh, Oriana Quinn, Kirsty Dunne, Phoebe Harte, Paula Charles, Michaela Dunne, Shauna Meyers, Nicole Moore, Sinead Miller and Chelsea Dunne.