When goals really do win games!
Round 10 -Division 2 of the County League saw Milltown Castlemaine(MC) seniors (sponsored by Larkins Bar and Restaurant and Kelly’s Londis, TopShop) at home to Dromid Pearses (DP) over the Bank Holiday weekend.
MC lined out without many of their regular players-with Shane Murphy, Eoin O’ Brien, Colin McKenna and Donal Kelliher injured.
Brendan Delaney and Jack McCarthy were also unavailable for selection.
Conditions were ideal in the Paddy Burke Memorial Park for the 2 pm start with West Kerry referee Cathal O Dubhda in charge of the game.
This was a very important game for MC if they were to remain in Division 2 and so they needed to start strong from the get-go. However, it was Dromid Pearses who notched up the first two scores by way of pointed frees from their centre forward-Christóir Ó Faircheallaigh, in the 1st and 2nd minute of play. MC quickly responded with 2 goals in the 4th and 5th minute. The first came after Killian Kerins brilliantly intercepted a short kick out and passed it off to Cathal Moriarty who put the ball past Brian Ó Laoire. The subsequent kick out was brilliantly caught by Pa Wrenn and the mark into David Roche gave the home side goal number 2.
Dromid Pearses responded with 3 unanswered points, 2 from Christóir Ó Faircheallaigh and a pointed free from Niall Ó Concubhair. The 8th minute saw Jamie O’ Shea point a free for MC after a foul on Cathal Moriarty in the 8th minute.
This was immediately cancelled out by a point from Christóir Ó Faircheallaigh, who was on fire for Dromid Pearses.The score after 10 minutes was MC:2/01, Dromid Pearses:6 points.
The next attack by the visitors resulted in MC keeper Cormac Leane confidently plucking the ball off the crossbar and kicking it out to Cathal Moriarty. David Roche (who was playing a midfield role in place of the unavailable Brendan Delaney) was on hand to receive a pass and pop it over the bar and so give MC a score of 2/02 to DP’s 0/06.
Ciarán Carroll,Paul Carroll and Donal Dennehy linked up very well in the next MC attack and Donal was very unlucky not to add on a score at the other end. From the kick out, DP paced down field with their number 24, Graham O’ Súilleabháin bearing down on goal. MC keeper Cormac Leane pulled off another fantastic save to put the ball out for a 45, which Dromid failed to convert. The 15th minute of play saw Christóir Ó Faircheallaigh score yet another point for Dromid. MC’s keeper was called upon again in the 17th minute and forced a turnover but a free to DP was popped over by their corner forward Niall Ó Sé, who was putting in a powerful performance.
MC full back line of Damian Murphy, Ciarán O Connor and Stephen Roche were staunch in defence and so made it extremely difficult for DP to penetrate. The 20th minute saw DP’s Niall O Sé pop over a free to give a score line of 2/02 to the home side and 10 points to the visitors. MC continued to keep the pressure on with a tremendous all-team effort and it was All Ireland Kerry Junior medal winner, Gavin Horan who scored the next point for MC. Dromid immediately cancelled it out with their corner back, Shane O Concubhair doing the honours. MC defence stood strong with the Roche brothers linking up well together -stalling the Dromid attack. They added 2 more points before the short whistle, these coming from frees by Jamie O’ Shea.
The score at the short whistle was MC:2/05, DP:0/11 points
MC came out with all guns blazing in the second half with Donal Dennehy and Pa Wrenn teaming up well. Pa popped over a beautiful point to give his team the narrowest of leads in the 1st minute of the second half. MC’s third goal came in the next passage of play with David Roche linking up with Gavin Horan, who despite being fouled and on the ground, somehow managed to blast the ball with his left foot past the Dromid keeper and so give his side a 4 point lead. Dromid responded with another point from their corner forward Niall O Sé. A superb kick out from keeper Cormac Leane was placed into Donal Dennehy’s hands and he quickly pointed for MC and restored a 4 point lead after 4 minutes of the second half. MC:3/07, DP: 13 points. Aodhán Shine O Súilleabháin and Kealan Ó Faircheallaigh reduced the deficit to 2 points with well taken scores in the 5th and 7th minute.
MC’s Ciarán Ó Connor was having a wonderful game in defence and his hard graft lead to the home sides next attack involving Jerome Flynn and Cathal Moriarty, who cleverly fisted the ball over the bar. MC introduced Alan Hickey for Jeremiah Hayes in the 10th minute.
MC keeper once again was called on to rescue the home side and the resultant passage of play saw Gavin Horan link up with Cathal Moriarty who duly did the honours and added another point to his tally.
The 13th minute saw MC add another score, a point by Pa Wrenn -establishing a 5 point lead for his team. DP added 2 points in succession and so reduced the margin to 3 points after the 1st quarter of the second half. MC:3/10, DP: 0/16 points.
MC introduced Jonathan O’ Sullivan for Jerome Flynn in the 17th minute. Jonathan settled in immediately and great play between him, David Roche and Captain Pa Wrenn saw the latter pop over his 3rd point of the day- superb scoring considering his centre back role. MC were dealt a blow when they were reduced to 14 players in the 19th minute. DP responded to this with another point from Christóir Ó Faircheallaigh who was having a tremendous game at centre forward. MC captain Pa Wrenn, who was showing great leadership, had a man of the match performance and added another fantastic point from play and thus established a 4 point lead once again.
Despite some brilliant play by MC, it was Dromid, who would score four unanswered points- that would bring them to within one point of MC by the 27th minute: 3/12 to 20 points.
Tension was high, defences were tight and when Cathal Moriarty was fouled in the 29th minute, it was the substitute-Jonathan O’ Sullivan’s task to take the resultant free. Jonathan made no mistake and so gave his side a 2 point lead with a minute left to play. DP’s tried hard and managed to claw back one point with a free from Niall Ó Sé in the closing seconds of a truly thrilling game of football. Well done to both panels on a sporting game of football and to MC for securing 2 valuable Co. League points.
Well done to the manager Paul Fitzmaurice and his selectors John P O’ Sullivan and Liam Kelliher for all their work with this senior team.
Next up is an away encounter with Ardfert on August 19th 2018.
Camp for Future Stars:
Our annual Camp for Future Stars will be held in August over 4 days commencing -on Tuesday August 14 Th and finishing on Friday August 17 th with a party and fun activities. Application forms available in local shops or from any member of the executive.
Under 14 Central Region: Div 2 Final
Milltown Castlemaine versus Ardfert Under 14 Final(Match report by Danny McClure)
Ardfert 2-13 V 3-09 Milltown/Castlemaine
This enthralling game of football finished with only one point between the teams. Our U14 sides have been the source of some fantastic and skill full displays this year. Coming through their group with a 100% record and making it to the final against Ardfert. For the neutral, this game was fantastic but for the supporters of either side there won’t be a finger nail left.
Ardfert started the stronger of the two sides taking the first 4 scores but in a pattern that was to continue through the match, Milltown/Castlemaine were to peg them back to trail by only one point at half time. Ardfert had Milltown/Castlemaine pinned in for the early stages but when our U14s broke they made it count taking two fantastic goals in the first half from Rian Foley and Liam Roche.
In the second half the Milltown/Castlemaine’s backs continued to work tirelessly to get the ball forward and thwart attacks from Ardfert. It really was a collosal effort by a fantastic group of young defenders. Daire McCarthy also making a huge save to keep Ardfert within reach as they replied to Conor Spillane Spillane’s well taken equaliser. The midfield and forwards equally performed with a huge amount of effort and a great deal of skill, taking scoring chances at a very impressive ratio. As Ardfert streched their lead to 5 points another Milltown/Castlemaine goal from Brendan Casey sparked yet another come back.
With the closing stages approaching, Ardfert were to raise the green flag again but this did not deter our Milltown/Castlemaine side who fought back again and were just pipped at the end by a very strong Ardfert side. Both sets of coaches and supporters will be very proud of their sides.Well done to all involved.
Congratulations to Ardfert on their U14s win and to our own Milltown/Castlemaine side for a very impressive display that made for a fantastic game.
Under 8’s and Under 10’s:
Our under 8’s and under 10’s had a great morning of challenge games at home versus John Mitchel’s on Sunday last. Special thanks to John Mitchel’s for travelling and to all the parents for their support. Well done to all the boys and girls, to the referees for doing a brilliant job. Let’s not forget their fantastic coaches too!
Minors:
Our minors are away to Kerins O Rahillys on this Monday August 6th in Round 2 of the Central Region, Division 2 competition. Throw in is at 7. Please head along and show your support.
Fundraising Lotto Jackpot Draw:
Our jackpot stands at €20,000 with €500 on offer for a match 3. We also have our six regular consolation prizes on offer for our next draw which is on THURSDAY August 9th, in Larkins Bar and Restaurant, Milltown. (Please note change of day)
Sincere thanks to all for your valued support.
Clubify:
All fixtures and results are available on the Clubify App which you can download for free on your phone.
Retirement:
Best wishes to Eamonn Fitzmaurice on his retirement from his position as Kerry senior manager. We wish you well in your new appointment as príomhoide of Pobal Scoil Corca Dhuibhne.
Irish Womens Hockey Team:
Congratulations to you all on such a wonderful achievement.
Leaving Cert Results:
The coming week will be a very stressful time for students awaiting results. Please give your support to anyone who may be struggling and remind them that ‘everything will be all right in the end- so if it’s not all right, then it’s not the end.’
