Mullingar Shamrocks 2-12 St Loman’s 1-11
Mullingar Shamrocks were crowned Westmeath SFC champions for the first time since 2012, after a superb and efficient performance against an excellent St Loman’s outfit.
St Loman’s have been the team to beat in Westmeath in recent years and were very close to claiming the title again for the fourth year in succession, but local rivals Shamrocks, managed by the outstanding Ned Moore, overcame the odds and claim the trophy.
St Loman’s played with 14 men from the sixth minute onwards, with Sean Lancaster sent off early on and a very fit, organised Shamrocks outfit ran them into the ground.
Mullingar Shamrocks had a dream start to the game, with two points from lively forward Dean Moore and St Loman’s were dealt a major blow when corner-back Sean Lancaster was dismissed after an altercation with Moore.
John Heslin was absolutely magnificent and at times unplayable, keeping his side in the game for large periods especially in the opening half, scoring nine points.
Mullingar Shamrocks had built up a 0-5 to 0-3 advantage by the time the games opening goal came and it duly arrived courtesy of Paddy Fagan who received a great ball from Donal O’Donoghue before finishing to the back of the net.
O’Donoghue was man of the match in the 2004 Leinster final and the veteran star was exceptional, proving that class is permanent.
St Loman’s had clawed back the deficit to two points at half-time, with the scoreboard reading 1-6 to 0-7 in favour of Shamrocks at the interval.
St Loman’s claimed a goal shortly after half time, which came courtesy of Ken Casey, after a quickly-taken free from Heslin set up Ronan O’Toole, with the latter picking out Casey who made no mistake with the finish.
Westmeath county star Denis Corroon delivered a fantastic performance at midfield, before pushing further forward in the second half and he responded with a goal for his side, after being set up by Darragh Daly.
TJ Cox’s effort reduced the deficit to one point late on, but three late scores in succession courtesy of Corroon, Moore and Micheal Curley sealed it.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Philly Shaw; Eddie Moore, Kieran Gavin, Killian Daly; Paddy Joyce, Micheal Curley (0-1), Tye Adamson; Denis Corroon (1-4, 0-3f), Paddy Fagan (1-0); Simon Quinn (0-1), Donal O’Donoghue, Alan Cashman (0-1); Jordan Warde, Darragh Daly, Dean Moore (0-5, 0-2f).
Subs: Billy Flynn for Adamson (35), Ciaran Curley for Warde (37), Efe Siode for Cashman (49), Aaron Purcell for Joyce (52), Ross Corroon for Flynn (55),
St Loman’s: Stephen Gallagher; Sean Lancaster, Sean Flanagan, Gerry Grehen; Gary Glennon , Paddy Dowdall, David Whelan; Kelvin Reilly, John Heslin (0-9, 0-7f); Conradh Reilly, Paul Sharry, David Windsor (0-1); TJ Cox (0-1), Ronan O’Toole, Ken Casey (1-0).
Subs: Shane Dempsey for C Reilly (h-t), Ciaran Kilmurray for David Windsor (43), Fola Ayorinde for Glennon (58).
Referee: Niall Ward (Garrycastle).
