Hyland hits hat trick

THERE are landmarks and unforgettable moments in a club"s history that always remain in the memory. And last Sunday was one such occasion for Athlone"s Willow Park. Contesting their second Combined Counties Cup final in a row, Willow were desperate to bring the prestigious trophy home for a first ever time. Mullingar Athletic stood in their way and provided stiff opposition for much of the contest, and actually dominated the opening 45 minutes without ever really pushing home their territorial advantage. Willow came storming out in the second half, though, and should have clinched victory within the regular ninety minutes. However, the Athlone outfit were made wait until extra-time before eventually sealing victory with much to spare in the end. Central to Willow"s day of success was left midfielder Aidan Hyland, who bagged a remarkable hat-trick at Killavilla Utd"s Engtek Park ground. Hyland has been a revelation since becoming a regular in Willow"s first-team this season and is a constant attacking menace for any opposition defence. Hard working midfielder Mark Nicholson netted Willow"s other goal with a ferocious extra-time header off a beautifully delivered Gary McHugh free kick. The score at half-time had been 1-1 after Kevin Keegan"s sublime 30-yard free kick found the top corner of Ian Bolger"s net in the 29th minute, cancelling out Aidan Hyland"s early opener. Willow had won their first ever Combined Counties Senior Division crown last season but were pipped by Clara Town in the final of the cup, so they were hugely determined to go a step further this time around. With a crunch league game to come against St Peter"s two days later (Tuesday), experienced striker Brian Frawley was left on the bench, as Willow somewhat surprisingly began the match with a five-man midfield - a system, it must be said, which only produced minimal success during a difficult first half for Tony O"Sullivan"s side. A seriously depleted Mullingar had suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Willow in the league just days earlier but they recalled several regulars for this big match. And it was the North Westmeath club who began the match much better. Firstly, they forced a free kick 25 yards from goal which Niall Flynn disappointingly blasted against Willow"s defensive wall. Kevin Keegan then sent a header over Bolger"s crossbar, before Flynn missed the target when well positioned on the edge of Willow"s penalty area. Willow had a strong wind in their faces and initially struggled to get to grips with their unfamiliar system of play. However, against the run of play, they took a seventh minute lead. Benny Magennis" pass from the centre of midfield picked out the speedy Colm Hyland on the right side of midfield. Hyland got free from Mullingar left-back William McGovern and squared a neat pass across the penalty area to his brother Aidan. And he never looked anything but fully confident as he carefully slotted the ball past Jason Daly and into the net. Mullingar reacted immediately but Steve Markey"s well struck effort from distance flew wide. Gary McHugh then played a fine ball over the top of the Mullingar defence but good defending by McGovern thwarted Colm Hyland. On 20 minutes, Mullingar were awarded a dubious corner kick. Keegan sent across a perfect ball but somehow David Masterson headed over the crossbar from close range. A couple of minutes later, however, Willow broke through Mullingar"s defence with a sweeping counter attack, but Colm Hyland"s fine effort crashed off the upright. Aidan Hyland failed to properly steady himself for the rebound and blazed the ball high and wide. Mullingar didn"t have long to wait before grabbing a deserved equaliser. Keegan was the man responsible; blasting a 30-yard free kick into the top corner of the net to level matters in some style. Chances were few and far between from then until half-time, although Earl Gaylard did well to direct a header on target from Robert Shine"s free kick in the 36th minute. Unfortunately for Gaylard, the impressive Mark Syron was on hand to hack the ball to safety for Mullingar. Willow were a much different proposition during the second half and dominated proceedings. Shine placed a dangerous free kick into Mullingar"s six-yard box but Syron bravely cleared, before Colm Hyland"s excellent volley drifted narrowly wide. Willow also had a handball appeal turned down by referee Mick Gillivan, as Mullingar retreated further and further into their own half. Willow"s central midfielders were now getting well on top of the opposition, with Mark McConnell, Gary McHugh and Mark Nicholson starting to exert major influence on the contest. Aidan Hyland was off target with a decent header but Willow definitely should have gone in front on 58 minutes. Gary McHugh"s wonderful cross from the left set up McConnell for a golden opportunity but his header was inches wide. On 60 minutes, Colm Hyland"s misdirected cross almost crept in but landed on the top of the net. Seven minutes later, Mullingar had a very rare venture into Willow territory but Bolger made a solid one-handed save from substitute David O"Riordan. Athletic were forced to make a few substitutions as some of their players clearly became tired and picked up unfortunate injuries. Heavy rainfall lashed down on the uncovered spectators for the final 25 minutes or so, but Willow began to have an even greater attacking threat when Brian Frawley replaced the injured McConnell on 78 minutes. Willow thought they had a breakthrough on 83 minutes. Shine"s long goal kick was flicked on by Frawley for Magennis, who was now racing through on goal, but linesman Ray Matthews controversially raised a flag to rule Magennis offside. The Willow bench were furious and one felt Mullingar had a major escape and, so, extra-time was required. Early in the opening extra-time period, Colm Hyland had a couple of openings but was denied by stern Mullingar defending. However, Mullingar"s plight was not helped when Syron was forced off injured in the final minute of normal time. On 96 minutes, Willow finally took the lead again as Aidan Hyland"s dipping and swerving shot from distance beat Daly, who moments earlier had been struggling injured on the ground. Mullingar were furious the referee refused to stop the game and allow Daly receive medical attention, however, the "keeper had recovered his position probably ten seconds or more before Hyland pulled the trigger, and the goal rightly stood. Four minutes into the second half of extra-time, the game was effectively sealed for Willow when Nicholson sent a thumping header past Daly from McHugh"s free kick. With just two minutes remaining, Aidan Hyland claimed his hat-trick goal to make it a resounding 4-1 scoreline in Willow"s favour. Afterwards, Robert Shine and Jimmy Mullally lifted the trophy together amid ecstatic celebratory scenes in the Willow camp. WILLOW PARK: Ian Bolger; Mark Rigney; Peter Sherlock; Earl Gaylard; Robert Shine; Mark Nicholson; Gary McHugh; Mark McConnell; Colm Hyland; Benny Magennis; Aidan Hyland. Subs: Brian Frawley for Mark McConnell (78 mins); Jimmy Mullally for Magennis (105); Michael Harney for C. Hyland (108); Martin McConnell for A. Hyland (108). MULLINGAR ATHLETIC: Jason Daly; Claudio Nardone; William McGovern; Mark Syron; David Masterson; Sylvester Booziomy; Dara Kiernan; Steve Markey; Niall Flynn; Kevin Keegan; James Fagan. Subs: David O"Riordan for Booziomy (60 mins); Marcin Mazgis for Markey (67); James Carroll for Fagan (73); Joey Broderick for Syron (89). REFEREE: Mick Gillivan.