Corinthians 4’s v Mullingar 2’s
Junior Cup Quarter Final
Goal Scorers:
James O’Malley x 1
Stephen Wiltshire x 1
Man of The Match: Conor ‘Pud’ Mount

Mullingar 2nd’s travelled to Corinthians in the quarter finals of the Junior Cup, a win would see them into the Semi Finals. Mullingar travelled with an under strength team with just 11 players available this week, Mullingar was going to give it a go nevertheless!

A late text from the Keeper to say he had to head back due to leaving his helmet at home! (Pretty important piece of equipment to leave at home.) and wouldn’t be at the pitch until the start time, it wasn’t boding well for the Captains blood pressure, thankfully the keeper defied the space and time continuum to arrive on time and suit up in double quick time.

Mullingar started the 1st quarter playing the better hockey however the tricky, skilful and youthful players were causing trouble for the Mullingar’s defence, whilst Mullingar’s defence were doing well it wasn’t long before Corinthians scored one of many scrappy goals throughout the game.

The first and second quarter was very much end to end with no real end result, Mullingar was passing well from back to midfield to the forwards or some long Ariel’s from the captain to release the pressure or into space for the youthful pair of James O’Malley & David Kingston to run into. Corinthians managed to score yet another scrappy goal despite ‘Puds’ best efforts to save and clear the ball.

An attack down Mullingar’s left hand side and great play from the midfields and forwards saw a ball come across the circle for an unmarked James to slot the ball pass the keeper to close the half at 2-1 ti Corinthians.

After a tough first half with everyone working hard covering the pitch Corinthians new they would be a lot to put extra pressure in by spreading the ball out wide and with the experienced Corinthians defenders able to hit perfect balls into the gaps for their youthful players to dribble past Mullingar’s players and keep Pud busy again and again! It wasn’t long after the restart when a Corinthians hopeful ball from outside the circle across to players on the penalty spot was deflected in by the Captain adding yet another own goal to his tally and fines!

David Kingston was trying his best to show how it’s done by twisting and turning in the circle and finally putting the ball on a defenders foot to win a short corner. The ball came out but the first runner seemed to be out the traps like a whippet, Stephen couldn’t get his trademark drag flick off so passed the ball out right to David who passed it back to Stephen to flick the ball pass the keeper and post man, it looked like a perfect trading ground set piece and not like we winged on the spot at all!!

The final quarter unfortunately saw an onslaught of of attack,attack, attack by the Corinthians players finding space all over the pitch especially in Mullingar’s Circle. Despite Puds best efforts Mullingar just couldn’t clear the ball before the opposition tapped the ball in.

Game ended 8-2 to a well deserving Corinthians who progress into the Semi Finals.

Well done to the 11 lads that played it was a tough day in the office but again there were lots of positives which I’ll take from the game.

Next up it Pembroke Wanderers 6th at home 3pm push back.