08-06-2002

LEE HAS FINAL SAY AS MOUNTMELLICK DISARM CONNOLLY

MOUNTMELLICK Utd 3 ………………………………… CONNOLLY FC 2

Mountmellick United clinched a Counties Major Division League and Cup double at Birr on Sunday.

Paul Lee swooped for a dramatic winner with less than three minutes of normal time left to land Mountmellick United the coveted trophy after a dramatic encounter at Woodfield Park.

The major champions saw off the challenge of ten man Connolly FC who were the first Longford League team to reach the Counties Cup final.

Mountmellick United fielded without Owen Smith, who had played a key role in their challenge for trophies for the last few years and scored in their recent Sheeran Cup final defeat.

He had flown to Japan to support Ireland in the World Cup and would have been delighted to hear the news of his teammates' truimph.

The Counties Cup win will make up somewhat for the disappointment of Mountmellick's Sheeran Cup reversal to Dublin Sheriff at Tolka Park over a week earlier.

Nobody was happier with Mountmellick's success this season than their long serving assistant manager, Billy Hyland as well as Ballymun man Alan George, who stepped in this season as manager.

Mountmellick had to come from behind twice before getting the better of Connolly FC, who arrived in Birr confident of winning the Counties Cup for the first time.

Based at Connolly army barracks in Longford, all but four of the starting 11 were soldiers but significantly, one of the civilians in the line-up was Patrick "Honda" Duffy, a veteran of the Longford soccer scene.

While he plays at centre-half, he has always been dangerous from free-kicks and Connolly were to call on his dead-ball expertise as the game progressed.

Mountmellick were by far the most impressive team after the game kicked off however, and they put on plenty of early pressure without really worrying the Connolly 'keeper Brian Greene.

In the 16th minute the Laois side were shocked when Connolly took the lead. The ball was worked out to Trevor Gethings and he moved into the box before unleashing a superb shot which beat Mountmellick 'keeper Donie O'Mahony.

Five minutes later the gam was level again. Referee Brendan Kelly awarded Mountmellick a free-kick 25 yards out and Niall Lynch floated it towards the six-yard box.

Connolly goalkeeper Greene wasn't decisive enough to come out and in the confusion the jumping defender Brendan Healy deflected the ball into his own net with his head.

Connolly's supporters were disappointed to concede what they thought was a soft goal but just before the break they were back in front.

Duffy, who had earlier threatened with a free-kick from slightly to the right about 25 yards out, found himself in a similar situation again as the half drew to a close.

This time he hit a superb shot which goalkeeper O'Mahony could only push onto the crossbar.

The ball came back down but the 'keeper still could not hold it and James Diffley pounced to drive the ball home from close range.

It was a sickening time for Mountmellick to concede a goal but they began the second half strongly and the game was all square again in the 52nd minute.

Man of the match Robert Hibbitts, who had shown flashes of skill and signs of pace all through, superbly lobbed Greene from more than 20 yards to lift the spirits of the Mountmellick contingent.

Mountmellick then suffered a blow when Laois Player of the Year last year, Jody Davis, had to go off injured but his replacement, Paul Lee, was to take his chance for glory.

The turning point of the game came in the 55th minute. With the ball gone, Niall Farrell kicked an opponent and referee Kelly, who has progressed to the National League panel, showed no hesitation in showing him a straight red card.

Soon after that Paul Lee displayed his potential by nearly getting in for a goal and the chess-game continued in the dug-outs with Moate man and former Westmeath county footballer Mick Broder coming into the Connolly side.

Connolly also brought in the skilful John Paul Canty and he shot narrowly wide from a free taken by the impressive Gethings. Mountmellick then cleared a ball off the line after a Connolly corner.

With time running out and extra-time looking certain, Mountmellick had the final say. Niall Lynch made a superb tackle in midfield and that paved the way for Lee to break free with the Connolly defence stretched.

Lee rounded Connolly 'keeper Greene and finished to the net in style. Six minutes of injury time were played but Mountmellick controlled that crucial period brillantly, keeping the ball down the Connolly end of the pitch as the clocked ticked away.

Mountmellick Utd:

• Donie O'Mahony
• Alan Reddin
• Keith Payne
• Ivan O'Neill
• Joe Turner
• Pat Delaney
• Niall Lynch
• Donal Lynch
• Robert Hibbitts
• Jody Davis
• Kevin Conroy
• Subs: Paul Lee for Jody Davis (53 mins), Ray Farrell for Keith Payne (81 mins)

Connolly FC:

• Brian Greene
• Jason McBride
• Willie Prendergast
• Brendan Healy
• Patrick Duffy
• Trevor Gethings
• Mark Murphy
• Niall Farrell
• Seamie O'Toole
• James Diffley
• Gavin Trappe
• Subs Michael Broder for Gavin Trappe (47 mins), John Paul Canty for Seamie O'Toole (73 mins)

Referee: Brendan Kelly (offaly branch)
Assistants: Eddie O'Riordan, David Bryant

Mountmellick scribe wins national competition

Mountmellick community school first year student Andrea Murphy recently won the An Post essay competition, seeing off competition from students from the rest of Ireland.

As part of their sponsorship of the Special Olympics, An Post invited students from all year groups to submit their stories under the title 'My Special Moment'.

Andrea's entry was awarded the winning prize for her year group. At the ceremony held recently in the GPO, Dublin, Andrea was presented with a Galway crystal vase and tickets for a five day trip to England in mid July. The trip will take Andrea to Stratford Upon Avon, Alton Towers and the historic sites of London. She will also attend a West End show, a boat trip along the Thames and visit Covent Gardens. Along with the other winners of the competition, Andrea will stay in top class hotels and enjoy her meals in well known restaurants.

Mountmellick mathematicians to compete in national tournament

Two first year students of Mountmellick community school Eoin O'Neill and Authur Aukhadiyer were recently chosen to take part in the final of the Irish Maths Teachers Association Maths Competition to be held in St Andrew's College, Dublin.

Congratulations were extended by the school, to the competitors and also to their teacher Ms Lavelle who organised the initial competition in the school and who helped prepare both students for the event.

Mountmellick Tidy Towns Committee

In order to expand the Tidy Towns Committee and to get representation from all parts of the town, a meeting will be held in the Town hall on Monday June 10 at 20:30.

The adjudication of the Tidy Towns Competition will take place from the middle of July onwards. An explanation of the marking system will be given on the night as well as a review of the marks given under the various headings in the 2001 competition.

By analysing the results from last year, it is hoped to target areas where gains may be made in this year's competition.