Dogged Tang hold firm to sink Shamrocks in surprise victory

Tang 2-9 Mullingar Shamrocks 1-11

By Paul Doolin

A whole hearted and committed Tang team bloodied many pundits’ noses with this well merited win in this Westmeath SFC game at Hogan Park, Moate on Sunday afternoon last.

The men in maroon and white dominated for long periods against a much-fancied Mullingar Shamrocks and their will to win and physicality was too much for the Mullingar side that looked a pale shadow of the team that had a strong league campaign.

Matching them score for score, Tang pounced for two well taken goals between the 37th and 43rd minutes and, in truth, a shell shocked Shamrocks side never fully recovered from it. It came just after Shamrocks should have had a major themselves and it proved pivotal to the outcome in a game that was an intriguing and entertaining watch throughout with the better side just coming out on top.

Shamrocks started much the brighter with the opening three scores after 12 minutes from two Denis Corroon frees, one very close to being a penalty, and a superb score from Zak Ahearn, while Tang's only offering was a couple of bad wides.

Wing-back John Rock opened Tang's account with a fine point and Shane Hanley narrowed the gap to the minimum with a beauty from a very acute angle. Conor O’Brien responded for Shamrocks after a slick team move but an Adam Neary free brought it back to a single point again.

Corroon extended Shamrocks' lead from another needlessly conceded free, but Tang were back level right on 30 minutes with Neary converting a mark that was well taken and Aidan Burke pointing a free. Just before the half-time whistle, Owen Coughlan saved brilliantly from Denis Corroon to leave the game level at the break at 0-5 apiece.

Shamrocks looked to up the ante on the restart and substitute John O’Reilly was unlucky to see his shot fire right across the goals but Corroon restored Shamrocks' lead with another placed ball. Aidan Burke levelled again with possibly the point of the game but Dean Moore slotted over a pearler for Shamrocks to hit the front again, only to see Shane Coughlan level at the other end with an equally good strike.

The game was in the melting pot now and swung from end to end with Paddy Fagan punishing some slack Tang defending, but it would be the last time Shamrocks would lead in the game as Tang hit a purple patch. Jack Keenan netted a brilliant goal as the Shamrocks rearguard disintegrated.

Neary added a free and then Shane Coughlan finished a wonderful and patient move for Tang with another excellently taken goal and all of a sudden there was daylight between the sides.

Jordan Warde pointed as Shamrocks swung back into action and then the same player made it even more interesting with a brilliantly crafted goal which started in their own 14-yard box. When Corroon pointed a free, it was back to the minimum again but Shamrocks were exposed at the back and Jack Keenan punished them with a marvellous point from a narrow angle.

Tang had chances to really seal the deal but spurned them and when Corroon added his sixth free a draw looked a strong possibility, but Tang held firm and defended heroically at times to seal a famous and unexpected win.

Man of the match: Siode, Corroon and Gavin were best for Shamrocks while Jason Coughlan, John Rock, Keenan and Neary stood out for the winners, but Shane Coughlan just gets the nod for an all-round excellent display

Scorers - Tang: S Coughlan and J Keenan 1-1 each, A Neary 0-3 (2 frees, 1 mark), A Burke 0-2 (1f), J Rock and S Hanley 0-1 each. Mullingar Shamrocks: D Corroon 0-6 (6f), J Warde 1-1, Z Ahearn, P Fagan, D Moore and C O’Brien 0-1 each.

Tang: Owen Coughlan; Conall McKiernan, Kieran Duncan, Eoghan Bannon; John Rock, Ronan Hanley, Jason Coughlan; Ciaran Clear, Robert English; Shane Coughlan, Aidan Burke, Shane Hanley; Adam Neary, Jack Keenan, Martin Rock. Subs: Tommy Lennon for Burke (52 mins), Shane Keenan for English (54).

Mullingar Shamrocks: Eoin Doran; Ryan Blundell, Efe Siode, David Coyne; Killian Daly, David Gavin, Brendan O’Reilly; Denis Corroon, Lorcan Smyth; Zak Ahearn, Paddy Fagan, Emmett Walsh; Dean Moore, Conor O’Brien, Jordan Warde. Subs: John O’Reilly for Smyth (19 mins), Mark Flynn for Blundell (40), Con O’Hanlon for B O’Reilly (49), Oliver McNamara for Fagan and Dylan Matthews for Coyne (51).

Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).