MSL U15 Result June 10th – Mullingar Athletic 6-0 Raharney United
After months and months of sitting at home waiting & hoping for some form of footballing action to
return, all of a sudden it’s all go in the Midlands as Mullingar's finest returned to competitive action
for the first time since November 2020.
First up was a home tie against local rivals from Raharney in Gainstown on Thursday. The home team
dictated proceedings from the first whistle with their efforts rewarded early on following some
magnificent link up play between Mullingar Athletic Captain Cathal Nevin & Shane Hopkins. Nevin
flighted a delicious cross into the box for in-form Simon Jorgensen to head home. A wonderfully
crafted goal which illustrated all that is good about this fledgling young side. Matthew Doyle has
terrorized teams in the midlands over the past few years; he carried on as per usual after Jorgensen
found him on the edge of the box, Doyle skipped by a defender & keeper to slot home. Then came a
moment of magic from the incomparable Shane Cully, the midfield maestro has a devastating shot,
when given any form of space around the box he will more often than not hit the target. Five
minutes before the interval he did just that, with a thunderbolt into the top corner!
The home team rarely looked in trouble at the back, keeper Darragh Mullen was in top form when
called upon but with quality defenders like Ethan Bannon, Momo Mugtabe, Emmet Brennan & Same
Molloy in front of him it was very difficult for the visitors to break through. Cillian Kelly had been
recovering from an injury, he came on at half time and put in a fine display at right full back, his
quality shone with some brilliant link up play with Matthew Doyle.
In midfield Sean Tully, Daire McDonald and Ruairi O`Dowd set the tempo, spring boarding multiple
attacks. The energetic Alan Turzyk set up Fionn Maguire to make it four and Maguire continued to
show his striking prowess with his second & Mullingar`s fifth shortly after. As the visitors began to
tire the hosts began to create further chances, Hayden Nolan was unlucky not to find the back of the
net on more than one occasion, however Callum Rigney capped off a fine display with sixth goal of
the evening after a clever pass from Maguire set him off on the left flank, racing into the Raharney
box to fire home.
This was a very good performance from Athletic, there were signs of rustiness but overall the players
can be very pleased as they played their first competitive match in an age. Man of the Match went
to Emmet Brennan whose calmness and control resonated through the team, setting the tone for a
well deserved victory.
MSL U15 Result June 12th – Kinnegad Juniors 2-9 Mullingar Athletic
Less than 48 hours after the demolition of Raharney came a sterner test away at Lagan Park versus
Kinnegad Juniors. The visitors got off the best possible start thanks to a goal in the opening 2
minutes from Callum Rigney. With a few carrying knocks from Thursday night fatigue and some
complacency seemed to kick in as the hosts began to power up the field in search of an equaliser.
After an innocuous hand ball against the unwitting Ethan Bannon resulted in a penalty which was
duly converted, the sides were drawn level. This galvanised Athletic who then took control with
some scintillating attacking play scoring in flurry. Hayden Nolan cleverly found the dangerous Fionn
Maguire, the striker added to his goal tally with a fine finish. Then Rigney took over as he added to
his first with a brilliant second then third to give him a first half hat-trick.
This completely knocked the stuffing out of Kinnegad. Mullingar retained possession of the ball brilliantly, patiently waiting for an opening to appear.
Again at the back Bannon and Mugtabe looked sound, but praise must go to Emmet Brennan again
who’s returned to action in great form. Shane Cunningham played in goals this time out and he
rarely put a foot wrong as he marshalled his defence with immense authority. In the second half Sam
Molloy and Ryan Kenny shored up the defence as centre halves, both were outstanding. Kenny even
came close with a header from a corner kick at one point.
Despite a shaky period in the first half, Athletic dictated the play through-out. The opening half
display was capped off by Simon Jorgensen who continued his scoring run with a fine finish after
good work from Rigney. Callum Rigney was on fire, scoring his fourth after the interval to make it 6-
1. A brilliant piece of play from Matthew Doyle found Rigney at the back post to fire home. Ruairi
O`Dowd came excruciatingly close to scoring only for his effort to be saved, luckily Alan Turzyk was
on hand to make it seventh heaven for the Mullingar men and Turzyk turned provider for Jorgensen
moments later after quality play down the left flank involving Ryan Kenny, Sean Tully and Shane
Cully. Cully came close with a few efforts, yet again running himself into he ground for his team. But
it was another Shane to cap off proceedings. Hopkins maruaded up the right flank, his speculative
effort deceived everyone in attendance including the Kinnegad keeper, flying into the top right
corner.
Again, another hugely positive display from Athletic. Despite some injuries and fatigue they
managed to play their way through the game, scoring nine goals and showing quality on the ball for
the lion’s share of the match. With the game in injury time, the home team got a free kick 30 yards
from goal. Perfectly executed it was fire into the top corner but there was nothing Shane
Cunningham could do as it was hit perfectly and in that one spot he couldn’t reach, even if he had a
step ladder.
Man of the match in Kinnegad had to be Callum Rigney following his four goal haul, in saying that
massive praise must go to all the boys for a brilliant display. With so much still to do and a long way
to go, early signs are hugely positive for this group of exceptional young men.
