Tullamore men spot on to claim cup spoils

Tullamore Town 2 Mullingar Athletic 2 (AET, Tullamore win 5-3 on penalties)

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Tullamore Town eventually overcame Mullingar Athletic’s ‘B’ team on penalties in the CCFL Denis Delaney Division 2 Cup final at Willow Park, Athlone last Friday evening.

With ten minutes remaining in normal time, Mullingar were 2-1 in the ascendancy and they had one hand on the cup. They seemed to be doing everything right in those last agonising minutes, defending resolutely and clearing their lines time and again. However, a free kick from Tullamore’s Alex Byrne looped in over the head of ‘keeper Alan Colgan and their best opportunity of pulling off the win was gone.

Extra-time was a slow burner, with both teams tired and the energy was sapped out of the contest. The two periods of ten minutes passed without any threats on either goalmouth. It took a penalty shootout to sort out the result and it was Mohammad Mugtabe’s missed spot kick for Mullingar and Jack Daly’s fifth successful penalty that gave Tullamore a win they just about deserved overall.

Mullingar started brightest and dominated the early minutes of the game. They forced the first corner of the game, but it was a quick counter attack from Tullamore which led to the opening goal of the game. Jacob Prekop supplied the cross and Shane Horkan headed home.

Then minutes later, Mullingar manufactured a free kick outside the box and Stephen Cleary’s shot crept inside the post for the equaliser.

But for whatever reason, the intensity of Mullingar’s play dropped and Tullamore were the dominant team for the rest of the first half. Tullamore did everything but score and they got down the flanks numerous times, either Alex Byrne and Prekop on the right or Aaron Tuohey on the left. Horkan was a constant threat to the Mullingar defence and was unlucky not to add to his account. At half-time it was Tullamore Town 1 Mullingar Athletic 1.

After the resumption, Tullamore continued where they left off in the first half. They again dominated possession and created numerous opportunities but failed to add to their total. Kian Baniassadi hit an attempt off the crossbar, but the Offaly side just couldn’t score. Baniassadi was the outstanding player on the pitch before he went off and after his withdrawal from the contest, Mullingar gradually came more into the game.

And against the run of play, Mullingar went into the ascendancy for the first time. Beau Greene got on the end of a through ball, he held his nerve and dispatched the ball past Tullamore keeper Dermot Colbert.

Tullamore responded in determined fashion and started to bombard the Mullingar goalmouth. To their credit, Mullingar defended their goal resolutely until they conceded a very soft goal.

It came from a free kick just outside the box on the right. Byrne took the free and his attempt deceived the ‘keeper, Alan Colgan, dropping in over his head and into the net for the equaliser. And so extra-time was needed.

The first ten minutes of extra-time had no incidents of note, just two tired sides and benches emptied.

The second ten minutes of extra-time was again played out by two teams that had used up all their energy in the 90 plus minutes.

The game needed a penalty shootout and first up for Tullamore was Dan Maguire and he scored. Then Ryan Bito did likewise for Mullingar. Next up was Ciaran Egan and he scored his spot kick with aplomb. Then Prekop made it 2-2.

Adam Malone was next up for Tullamore and he scored before it was Mohamed Mugtabe’s turn but his spot kick cracked off the crossbar. Alex Byrne scored Tullamore’s fourth penalty and although Aaron McDonald converted for Mullingar, Jack Daly scored Tullamore’s fifth penalty and the celebrations started for the Offaly team.

Tullamore are gradually getting back to where they should be, playing at the highest level. They got promoted from Division 2 this season and having now won the cup, they will be looking forward to next season already. For their part, Mullingar Athetic showed they have plenty of competition pushing the first team for places next season.

Player of the match: Alex Byrne (Tullamore Town). Shane Horkan, Ciaran Egan and KIan Baniassadi (before his injury) were impressive, but Byrne’s work rate over the 110 plus minutes and his penalty gets him the accolade. For Mullingar, Tito Oluwafunmilade and Ameen Hacini both led the way for their team.

Tullamore Town: Dermot Colbert, Pat Grennan, Ciaran Egan, Kian Baniassadi, Alex Byrne, Aaron Adamson, Aaron Tuohey, Jack Daly, Shane Horkan, Cillian Spollen, Jacob Prekop. Subs: Adam Malone, Dan Maguire, Damien Kuranski.

Mullingar Athletic squad: Alan Colgan, Hayden Nolan, Nedas Bielicas, Mohamed Mugtabe, Ryan Bito, Tito Oluwafunmilade, Ameen Hacini, Beau Greene, Stephen Cleary, Ethan Bowman, Ross Clinton, Nathen Massey, Efe Siode.