Lorcan Mulvey and Fulham Irish Aim for Connacht Club SFC Upset Against Castlebar Mitchels

Lorcan Mulvey is set to wear a pair of goalkeeper gloves on the bench for Fulham Irish as they welcome Mayo champions Castlebar Mitchels to Ruislip for their Connacht Club SFC semi-final, RTÉ reported.

The former Cavan attacker brings a decade and a half of service to London football into the fixture. Mulvey’s duties with the club have spanned being an ace forward, men and ladies’ manager, and a scoring outlet on the masters scene.

With starting net-minder Andy Walsh holding the primary role, Mulvey steps into the backup spot following the departure of last year’s number two back to Ireland. He played league games in goal for seniors and reserves to prepare for the emergency role.

“I think Niall Morgan and Rory Beggan are safe for now,” Mulvey told RTÉ Sport.

“We had a very capable number two last year but he had to move back to Ireland. There was a vacancy there and I’m willing to do what’s needed for the good of the club anytime, anywhere,” Mulvey told RTÉ Sport.

London champions compete in Connacht since 2018

London champions have competed in Connacht since 2018, moving away from the previous arrangement that placed British representatives at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.

Past appearances include Tir Chonaill Gaels leading Roscommon’s Clann na Gael in 2018 before a five-point defeat, and St Mary’s securing a six-point win over London opposition in 2022 after two additional-time goals. Fulham Irish are managed by Hurl Dockry, Alex Kelleher, Cormac Duffy, and Con Gordon as they face a Castlebar side featuring five Celtic Cross holders: Donnacha McHugh, Paddy Durcan, Sean Morahan, John MacMonagle, and Bob Tuohy.

Mulvey noted the competitive gap in conditioning during the latter stages of matches.

“You’re playing against a calibre of team that you haven’t come up against all year obviously,” Mulvey told RTÉ Sport.

“I think the big difference, and it probably feeds into that last 10 or 15 minutes of games where gaps open up, is the conditioning that those players at home have. It seems to be just that step above what’s over here,” Mulvey said.

Fulham squad depth

Fulham enter the match with improved depth, easing the scoring burden traditionally carried by Niall O’Leary following the addition of Sean Caffrey and Ben O’Connell inside. Micky Clarke and Conal Gallagher anchor the defensive spine, while Michael O’Gara and Sean Hawkshaw form the midfield partnership.

Mulvey believes a breakthrough victory for a London club side is approaching.

“I do honestly believe that the duck will be broken at some point and the London club team will win that game,” Mulvey told RTÉ Sport. “Whether it’s this weekend or not, I don’t know, but it’s going to happen.”