Not even a dislocated shoulder could keep the Irishman out the limelight at Peter Johnstone Park on Saturday.
Mulligan (23) bagged in two goals which was ultimately the difference between his side and Tasman United.Mulligan though was quick to praise those around him and the 3-1 win meant more to him than the two goals.
"I’m delighted but three points is the main thing. It takes a bit of pressure off us," he said.
"I think today we were more clinical. Last week, we had 20 shots on goal but just couldn’t score. This time we could. And just being calmer at the back."
He said the team was starting to gel well and it was a shame the side now had a break.
He dislocated his left shoulder trying to defend when Tasman scored its only goal.
"I popped my shoulder. It is the second time it has happened this season. It is pretty sore but they [medical team] just put it back in. I will just keep getting it strapped.
"I shouldn’t have been tracking back I suppose — getting in the way."
He left the field for a couple of minutes following the dislocation but came back on and within 100 seconds scored his second goal.
Mulligan said the Irish players were heading to Queenstown for four nights over Christmas before coming back to training. In Ireland the temperature was getting into the negatives, so he was enjoying the warmer weather.
The Southern United squad would have a short break before training a couple of days between Christmas and New Year. It would then come together on January 2 to prepare for its next match, against Hamilton Wanderers at Peter Johnstone Park on January 7.
