Mullingar U16’s girls took on Athlone U16’s in the West Leinster cup competition in Loreto today with a 10:30 push back.

Mullingar had a strong squad available and were looking to seek revenge on Athlone after some previous losses to their rivals.

Mullingar started well and within the first 5 minutes were stringing some great passes around and up to the forwards, a number of passes found an unmarked Rose Grimes stood just outside the D across ball in and a scrambling Athlone defence had no choice but to give away a short corner, Mullingar just hit wide on the corner.

Athlone had some talented individual players in midfield but were finding it difficult to string passes around and when they did manage to get it forward Mullingar’s defence were standing strong and finding Jane Duggan there to sweep up any attacks.

Mullingar’s secret weapon Leah Harding was smashing back out from the back for our frees and finding success getting balls to the forwards but Mullingar just couldn’t convert!

Our make shift right back Alex T was causing havoc down the right with some great tough, but very fair tackling which was making many on the side lines especially the coaches proud, however it wasn't being appreciated by either the Athlone players or the oppositions umpire.

Nil - Nil at Half time

With the second half under way, Athlone started to put pressure on Leah’s big hits (some would say how far 5 is metres?) meaning Mullingar had to start thinking about the passes instead of just a big hit forward.

Both teams were starting to flow in to the game with both teams starting to share possession in the midfield areas but Mullingar were having better forward passes. The introduction of Anna McCartron in the centre midfield position meant Anna was able to spread the ball and pin point her passes and have better control of the centre of midfield.

With neither side being clinical or testing either keeper the second half ended Nil - Nil.

As this was a cup match, the result meant the game went to extra time with an agreed 5 min each half we continued on.

Similar to normal time, both teams were were playing well with both defences mopping up and clearing any through balls! The end of the first half of extra time saw a Nil - Nil score line and into the final 5 minutes of extra time.

Athlone really stepped up the tempo and with a small lapse in concentration Athlone found themselves in Mullingar’s D and in the mist of chaos both teams scrambling for the ball Athlone managed to put the ball in to Mullingar’s goal! With Mullingar trailing a formation change by Mullingar’s coach pushed the sweeper Jane Duggan into midfield, Anna and Jane traded a couple of passes which then found Anna with the ball just on the attacking 25 to put a ball across to Rose who again fired the ball across the D and across the goal but no Mullingar player managed to get a touch!

The Final whistle blew and Athlone finished as victors.

Although Mullingar didn’t win today’s game the effort and determination from every player was fantastic, The U16’s have improved leaps and bounds from the beginning of the season and have become a great team and will no doubt become a formidable side and a tough team to play against!

Thanks to Marc Watters for umpiring today!