Mullinalaghta crowned Leader Cup champions in dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Killoe

Mullinalaghta St Columba’s . . . 0-14   Killoe Emmet Og . . . 0-14

After Extra-Time

Mullinalaghta won 5-4 on penalties

Emmet Og, with the advantage of the extra man for the entire second half of normal time following the dismissal of James McGivney (yellow, black & red cards) just before the break, failed to capitalise but were most unfortunate not to score a goal when a shot from Mark Hughes hit the post immediately on the changeover with the sides deadlocked at 0-6 apiece. 

Killoe were also reduced to 14 players when Michael Quinn received a black card in the 53rd minute and held a slender lead (0-11 to 0-10) in the difficult wet conditions before the impressive David McGivney came to St Columba's rescue when he fired the ball over the bar in the 60th minute. 

Mullinalaghta were restored to 15 players when Cian McElligott was brought back on in extra-time as six more points were scored in extra-time and when Daniel Mimnagh landed a well struck ‘45 it looked like Emmet Og were going to emerge victorious.

But this Mullinalaghta team are made of stern stuff and snatched a last gasp draw in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Connor Leonard kept his composure to convert a pressure ‘45 with virtually the last kick of the game to leave the sides all square yet again in a frantic finish.   

Excitement was mounting as the penalty shoot-out unfolded and when Daniel Mimnagh had his kick well saved by St Columba's keeper Patrick Rogers, the Mullinalaghta men ended up scoring all of their five penalties to achieve yet another Leader Cup triumph. 

It was a tremendous double senior football league success for St Columba’s as the clubs also agreed to play for the Johnny Skelly Cup after reaching the Division 1 league final. 

Both sides were without a few regulars for different reasons and Mullinalaghta led by 0-3 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter with James McGivney landing a couple of rocket points while Gary Rogers was also on target from a mark.

The lightning fast Paddy Moran fired over the first score for Killoe with four minutes gone on the clock and further points from Michael Quinn and Mark Hughes (from a mark) left the sides on level terms.

Scores were then exchanged between Aidan McElligott and Daniel Mimnagh (a great score) as a ding-dong battle began to develop with St Columba’s regaining the upper hand with a point apiece from David McGivney (free) and Emmet Brady.

Killoe finished the first half in strong fashion with a brace of scores through Mark Hughes (free) and Paddy Moran to leave it all square at the break, 0-6 to 0-6.

St Columba’s looked in trouble when James McGivney was sent-off on the stroke of half-time and they had a very lucky escape when Mark Hughes was clean through for a glorious goal chance in the opening minute of the second half but he was denied by the post with opposing keeper Patrick Rogers beaten.

A couple of points followed from the McGoldrick brothers Denis (free) and Ronan as Emmet Og threatened to open up a gap but resilient Mullinalaghta began to dig very deep on the slippy surface as a bout of heavy rainfall made this battle a war of attrition.

Scores from David McGivney (free) and Shane Mulligan in quick succession left it level again and the sides shared six more points during the remainder of normal time.

Paddy Moran (2) and Mark Hughes were on target for Killoe while Gary Rogers, influential substitute Cian Mackey and David McGivney replied for St Columba’s.

While the black card for Michael Quinn was a definite blow, gritty Mullinalaghta just refused to accept defeat in forcing extra-time.

Killoe were guilty of squandering a few scoring chances in the early stages of the additional period before David McGivney shot over the bar to put St Columba’s back in front.

Emmet Og substitute Ciaran Donohoe landed a cracking point a minute later and then there was a further exchange of scores from frees converted by Emmet Brady and Mark Hughes.

When Daniel Mimnagh fired over a ‘45 in the second half of extra-time, Killoe had another opportunity to extend the lead but were blocked out by the resolute Mullinalaghta defence before Connor Leonard landed the last gasp equalising point from a ‘45.

St Columba’s triumphed in the tense penalty shoot-out as the north Longford club claimed the Leader Cup for the 12th time but there is little doubt that Killoe will come storming back in the championship in the intriguing battle for the Connolly Cup.  

MULLINALAGHTA ST COLUMBA’S: Patrick Rogers; James Rogers, Donal McElligott, Simon Cadam; Francis Mulligan, Connor Leonard (0-1, ‘45), Patrick Fox; Aidan McElligott (0-1), David McGivney (0-4, 2 frees); Cian McElligott, Shane Mulligan (0-1), Gary Rogers (0-2, 1 mark); Emmet Brady (0-2, 1 free), James McGivney (0-2), Michael Cunningham.

Subs:- Cian Mackey (0-1) for C McElligott (41 mins); Conan Brady for M Cunnigham (48 mins); Tom Meehan for J Rogers (58 mins).

Extra-time:- M Cunningham for S Cadam (14 mins); Mark McNerney for G Rogers (19 mins).

KILLOE EMMET OG: Micheal Hughes; Shane Clarke, Niall Farrelly, Evan Farrelly; Liam Hughes, Ronan Keogh, Gavin Farrelly; Paddy Kiernan, Ryan Moffett; Denis McGoldrick (0-1, free), Daniel Mimnagh (0-2, 1 ‘45), Michael Quinn (0-1); Paddy Moran (0-4), Ronan McGoldrick (0-1), Mark Hughes (0-4, 3 frees, 1 mark).

Subs:- Gavin Hughes for R Keogh (injured, 14 mins); Ciaran Donohoe (0-1) for P Kiernan (48 mins); Cian Farrelly for S Clarke (53 mins); Colm Coyle for E Farrelly (injured, stoppage time). 

Extra-time:- Eugene Clarke for D McGoldrick (start of additional period).  

Referee: Patrick Maguire (St Mary’s Granard). 

Penalty shoot-out 5-4

David McGivney, Cian Mackey, Connor Leonard, Donal McElligott and Aidan McElligott scored for Mullinalaghta

Mark Hughes, Michael Quinn, Paddy Moran and Ronan McGoldrick scored for Killoe