SENIOR FOOTBALL: Milltown/Castlemaine 1-10; Austin Stacks 0-13.
Even if we weren’t missing nine of the starting fifteen who lined out in Portlaoise last February, we would still find Milltown a tough nut to crack.
And the results of our meetings in the group stages of the League, since our first meeting in April 1990, are proof of that.
Sunday’s game was our 18th meeting since that first game 25 years ago, and the result meant that both sides are now dead level with six wins each and now six draws also. Milltown however can claim the edge as they won the one and only League final that both sides contested in 2001 – shading that game by one solitary point (2-11 to 0-16).
Sunday’s game saw both sides with periods of dominance, especially in the first half. We went into an early lead with Pa McCarthy feeding Shane O’Callaghan for the opener after just 32 seconds, and David Mannix pointing a free inside the 2nd minute after Fiachna Mangan was fouled.
But then Milltown took complete control and went on to score six points on the trot (four from play) to leave them four clear coming to the end of the first quarter.
It was then our turn, with William and Brían Mangan winning many of the kick-outs, and this led to five unanswered points in the space of twelve minutes.
Three of these came from play with Shane O’Callaghan on target twice and the other from Darragh O’Brien after being placed by team captain Ronan Shanahan when he ran the length of the pitch.
The remaining two came from David Mannix frees and after Milltown themselves converted a free, David was on target again from a free deep in added time to leave us ahead by one at half time (0-8 to 0-7).
The home side levelled matters again just over a minute after the resumption, but two good points from play by Mikey Collins and David Mannix by the 6th minute gave us some breathing space again.
However this didn’t last long as the home side took full advantage, a minute later, when our defence was collectively caught off guard and Milltown got through for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
That goal came in the 38thminute and during the remaining 24 minutes it was tit for tat with scores at a premium – we adding three to two for the home side.
All our three came from play – Mikey Collins, Fiachna Mangan and Shane O’Callaghan – while Milltown’s two came from frees – including the equalizer, deep in added time, with referee Stephen Mulvihill (Ballylongford) blowing the final whistle immediately after.
Team: Paddy Fitzgibbon, Ronan Shanahan (Capt), John Dennis, Denis O’Neill, Pa McCarthy, Shane Guthrie, Ciarán O’Connell, William Kirby, Brían Mangan, Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Michael Collins (0-2), Shane Carroll, David Mannix (0-5 – 4 frees), Shane O’Callaghan (0-4), Darragh O’Brien (0-1).
Subs used: Seán Ryan (6m), Alan Duggan (22m), Eoghan McKivergan (56m).
This coming weekend the League moves into the second half of the season with round 6 of the competition taking place. Our home game against Dingle goes ahead in Connolly Park on Saturday evening (13th June) with a 6.30pm start
CO. LEAGUE DIV 5: Our B team also have a home game (in round 6) on this Saturday evening against Asdee. This game is scheduled to throw in at 8pm.
SENIOR HURLING: Our Hurlers are due to get their Co.League (Div 3) campaign underway on this Wednesday evening (10th June) with a home game against Kenmare at 7.30pm.
Then on the following Wednesday (17th June) we are away to St. Pats in round 2. We have a bye in round 3 so we are not out again until 1st July where we have a home tie against Duagh in round 4. Then in the 5th and final round we travel to Causeway on Wednesday 8th July.
U21 FOOTBALL The Co. Championship is due to commence shortly (Wednesday, 24th June). The draw for the first round took place on Monday. Austin Stacks will play St Brendan’s away.
MINOR FOOTBALL; Our Minors will also be back on duty shortly, combining activity in both the Central League (due to commence on Monday week, 22nd June) and the County Championship which is due to start on Wednesday, 8th July.
While fixtures have yet to be made for the Co. Championship, fixtures have come to hand for the Central League as follows; – R1 An Ghaeltacht away 22nd June; R2 Kerins O’Rahillys away 29th June; R3 Dingle at home 20th July; R4 Laune Rangers at home 27th July and the 5th and final round away to Milltown on 17th August.
The semi final is fixed for the following Monday (24th August) with the final provisionally fixed for Saturday, 29th August.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Paul O’Connor (son of Denis) on his nice on-line betting win last week. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy and also at an opportune time for him as he is about to further develop his fledgling Information Technology Business.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: Ian Carroll has been the Club’s Bar Manager for over four years now and has recently announced that he will be leaving the post shortly to pursue other employment opportunities.
He was an excellent Barman and Manager, who connected well with everyone who frequented the Connolly Park Premises.
He will be greatly missed by all and we wish him every success in his new venture and thank him most sincerely for his dedication and competence during his time at the Club.
As always the Clubhouse will still be available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone 066 7126942 after 7pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Monday’s (2nd June) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 1, 8, 12 and 24.
The €20 Prizes went to Molly O’Shea, c/o The Bingo; Rene Griffin and Helen Foran, both c/o Carmel Quilter; Timmy Sheehan, c/o Club Rockies; and Tom Leen, c/o The Cards.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Denis Downey, Connolly Park; David Roche, Stacks Villas; and James O’Brien, Mitchels Crescent and late of Mitchels Road.
