23-03-2002

GAA

It was a wonderful sight at the grounds of Mountmellick GAA Club on Saturday last.

102 children from the parish and surrounding areas registered for this year's season of football. 70 registrations for hurling also took place.

This is a great achievement for the club. Parents do not worry if your child missed out on Saturday. Committee members will be n hand this Saturday to register your child.

Training takes place each Saturday from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM for all under eights, under tens and under twelves footballers.

Training takes place for the hurlers on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Mountmellick maintain Sheeran Cup challenge

Mountmellick United are still on the trail of a second successive Sheeran Cup final
Appearance after this win over Abbeyleix.

In the first part of the trilogy against Athletic - they will be facing them in the crucial Major Division and Counties Cup encounter cup too - Mountmellick came out on top and took their place in the last eight of the Sheeran.

All credit to Abbeyleix groundsman Mick Moran who had the pitch in excellent condition before the kick off as the incessant rain put the game at serious risk.

The weather had the pitch more like a skating rink than a football pitch and the home side started brighter and played some lively football without causing the visitors defence too many problems.

After 15 minutes however, Mountmellick keeper Donie O' Mahony had to stop a good header from opening the scoring. Twenty five minutes in a good cross from Dinny Lynch was knocked down by his brother Niall into the path of Jody Davis who made no mistake form fourteen yards with a well struck shot.

Ten minutes before half-time hard work by Davis led to him dispossessing the Abbeyleix full-back and crossing a great ball to put the visitors two goals up.

The second half saw Mountmellick start with a strong wind at their backs but it was Abbeyleix who came out all guns blazing.

Again adapting to the conditions better, Abbeyleix kept moving the ball well but the Mountmellick defence was excellent with Joe Turner, Ivan O' Neill, Noel Clearly and Alan Reddin all repelling everything that was thrown at them.

Twenty minutes into the half Mountmellick were unlucky when Kevin Conroy shot wide on the break. With twenty minutes left, Abbeyleix pulled a goal back but Mountmellick should have made the three points safe when Niall Lynch shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

Mountmellick survived a few scares before the finish but survived to move a step closer to making up for last season's Sheeran Cup final defeat to Dublin side Sheriff.

Best for the winners were Owen Smith, Joe Turner, Jody Davis and the man of the match Ivan O'Neill.