BEALNAMULLA overcame Portlaoise in the first match of the second round of the Midland Senior League. Bealnamulla finished third in the League last year and in this determined display showed that they are very well up for this year's campaign.

Bealnamulla got the worst possible start when a Portlaoise free after four minutes ended up in the net after a deflection off a Bealnamulla defender. This was just a temporary set back and Bealnamulla were level when a great throught ball from Aisling Brophy found Geraldine Griffith and she chipped a beauty to the corner of the net over an advancing keeper.

Five minutes later Michelle Ryan fired over a great cross and Sabrina Hackett took the ball in her stride before firing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.

In the second half Portlaoise were pinned back in defence mainy through the brilliant display by Aisling Brophy who never gave Sylvia Gee, Portlaoise and UCD's senior Irish international a look in. Maggie McDonnell took a lovely pass from Sharon O'Brien and put Geraldine Griffith through and she classically finished to put Bealnamulla 3 - 1 up.

With the last moment of the game Portlaoise pulled one back but Bealnamulla held on for a valuable win. Next Sunday's fixture is away to Eureka United.

Panel: Eileen Goode, Joanne Casey [Capt], Aisling Egan, Aine Gorman, Sharon O'Brien, Emma Hussey, Aisling Brophy, Michelle Ryan, Sabrina Hackett, Geraldine Griffith, Maggie McDonnell, Lisa O'Halloran, Claire Dunne, Natashia Kearney.

THIS senior League game played in excellent conditions in One Direct Park on Sunday last was a very entertaining game with good quality football being played by both sides.

There were some fine individual performances by the Bealnamulla girls with Sharon O'Brien, Aine O'Gorman and player of the match Michelle Ryan all outstanding and a great senior debut for Lisa O'Halloran in goal and striker Emma Kiernan.

For the first 15 minutes Clara matched the Athlone girls for every ball but the overall experience of the Bealnamulla squad began to pay dividend with Geraldine Griffith and Clare Dunne in sparkling form in midfield. Thre pressure paid off when Maggie McDonnell sent in a great cross which was vollied to the net by Emma Kiernan.

Midway through the half Bealnamulla increased their lead when a great flick by Michelle Ryan was headed brilliantly to the net by Kiernan for a wonderful goal. Just before the break Aisling Egan lead on a perfect pass for Joanne Casey who slotted home number three.

The second half Clara upped the pressure with some fine displays by Denise Mackey and Denise Minnock but Bealnamulla kept comfortable with any attackes by the Clara girls and held out for a comfortable victory which keeps them top of the table.

Panel: Lisa O'Halloran, Sharon O'Brien, Aine Gorman, Aisling Egan, Mairead Moore, Joanne Casey (Capt), Geraldine Griffith, Michelle ryan, Clarire Dunne, Maggie McDonnell, Emma Kiernan, Janet Cashin.

BEALNAMULLA/ATHLONE TOWN opened their 2004/05 league season in resounding fashion when they struck four goals past a far inferior Mullingar Town side at Dalton Park on Sunday.

After recently reaching the semi-finals of the LFAI Intermediate Cup, Bealnamulla - who finished third in the League last season - were determined to get off to a flying start and succeeded in doing so by completely dominating a game in which they could've netted more than the four goals in the end. They have plenty to prove in the League this season after been very disappointed to finish in third spot last time out.

The visitors had to cope without several first-team players on Sunday including Geraldine Griffith, Nuala Moroney and Emer Murphy. But the strength of their squad, managed for the day by Martin Egan in the unavoidable absence of first-team boss Gerry Doyle, told against an inexperienced home side.

All the goals arrived in the opening 45 minutes. Maggie McDonnell opened the scoring after ten minutes and this was followed by a superb strike from outside the box by influential midfielder Aisling Brophy.

Bealnamulla created chance after chance and you got the impression they were often operating in third or fourth gear such was the nature of their complete dominance. McDonnell was on hand to net Bealnamulla's third goal from close range and Brophy grabbed her second just before the break.

It was comfortable all the way for the away side, who should have scored more in the second period with both McDonnell and Jennifer Downey missing golden opportunities. Bealnamulla expect to beat teams like Mullingar Town quite easily. But bigger tests await.

BEALNAMULLA/ATHLONE TOWN: Mairead Moore, Joanne Casey, Sharon O'Brien, Aisling Egan, Michelle Ryan, Aisling Brophy, Jackie Hynes, Janette Costelloe, Claire Dunne, Jennifer Downey, Maggie McDonnell.