Disappointing start for Junior A's

St.Josephs Miltown suffered a narrow two point defeat to Ennistymon in the opening game of the Junior A championship Saturday evening on a 1-10 to 0-11 scoreline. Despite the very slippery underfoot conditions, Miltown opened brightly to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after ten minutes. The remainder of the half was dominated by Ennistymon who lead 1-6 to 0-5 at the break. The goal was a fortuituous effort when a shot for a pointed dipped under the crossbar. Miltown came much more into the game in the second half with Michael Talty and Seanie Malone providing the leadership upfront. Ennistymon were very dangerous on the counter attack and sealed victory with the last point in injury time when Miltown had reduced the lead to one point. Miltown now require victories in their remaining group games against Meelick and Doonbeg if a quarter final place is to be assured. The team lined out as follows: Robbie Healy, Jason Clancy, James Galvin, David Murrihy, Eoin O'Brien, John O'Malley, Barry Kelly, Michael Neylon, John O'Sullivan, Enda Fox, Colm Haugh, Noel Sexton, Seanie Malone, Michael Talty, Tomas Meade Subs used: Gearoid Hynes, Gerard Malone, Eoin McDonagh, David Talty, Ian Sexton

League runs ended for 2009

The league campaigns for both St.Josephs Miltown senior and Junior A sides ended for 2009 on Sunday. The senior side succumbed to hot favourites Kilmurry ibrickane on a 0-14 to 0-5 scoreline in the Cusack Cup Div1 semi final. Miltown battled bravely but Kilmurry appear to be a few steps ahead of all other teams in Clare at this time with an unbeaten record across all three domestic competitions that now stretches back to September 2007. Miltown trailed by 0-9 to 0-3 at the break but never gave up at any stage. Dessie Molohan and Eoin Curtin got a brace of points while Kevin Keavey chipped in with the other score. Miltown will be satisfied with their performances throughout the league and hope to maintain progress in the championship.
Meanwhile, an understrength Junior A side were defeated by Naomh Eoin in a semi final playoff in Div 4. Miltown led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break despite a missed penalty. A three goal quick fire blast midway through the second half by Naomh Eoin killed the game as a contest. Seanie Malone and Eoin McDonagh grabbed the goals in a 3-10 to 2-4 defeat.
Both teams will now take the week to enjoy the Willie Clancy festival before returning to training to focus heavily on upcoming championship games.

Opening Round Defeat for Minors

Kilrush 2-9 Miltown 0-6 @ Kilrush

Miltown's minor campaign started poorly with a loss to Kilrush, Miltown were without intercounty minor Micheal Malone, who was out with a damaged heel.

St.Joseph's began well and had 2 goal chances early on, but Tommy Flynn and Sean O'Malley both fired wide when goals seemed definite. Kilrush rose to the challenge and mistakes in the Miltown defence allowed Kilrush to get their 2 goals which were the difference between the sides.

To make matters worse Miltown suffered two serious injuries during the match, Martin Rynne has a suspected collarbone fracture and Ciaran O'Malley has a recurrence of a knee problem.

Miltown Team: L.O'Brien, A.Flanagan, E.O'Brien, M.Rynne, D.McDonagh, D.Lafferty, T.O'Friel, E.Corbett, C.O'Malley, J.Gray, S.Malone, S.O'Malley, E.Fox, F.Gray, T.Flynn. Subs: C.Talty for C.O'Malley, M.Murrihy for M.Rynne, T.Howard for F.Gray, D.Meade for J.Gray, D.O'Brien for A.Flanagan.

16's lose semi final.

Wolfe Tones 0-12 Miltown 0-5

Wolfe Tones progress to meet Kilmurray Ibrickane in the under 16 final after Miltown lost out in the Banner grounds on Wednesday the 24th last.

Miltown got the opening point through Cathal Hogan. But five unanswered points for the Shannon side left Miltown in trouble. Darragh McDonagh closed the gap for Miltown and centre forward Conor Cleary narrowed it further. However Wolfe Tones pulled away and finished the half 8 points to 3 ahead.

The second half was no better for Miltown only managing 2 points in the half. Numerous good scoring opportunities were missed with some bad shooting producing at least 8 wides. Wolfe Tones also had wides but managed to tag on crucial scores to stroll home by 7 points.

Miltown Team: C. Flanagan, A. O'Brien, D.Keane, J.Organ, C.Kenneally, M.Rynne, D.O'Brien, D.McDonagh (C), C.O'Malley, L.O'Connell, C.Cleary, C.Talty, L.Reidy, C.Hogan, E.Cleary. Subs: S.Mahoney for J.Organ, D.Pender for L.Reidy, P.Flynn for A.O'Brien, K.Downes for L.O'Connell.

U21 B Championship - 1st Round

Corofin 3-3 Miltown 1-6

Same fixture from last years first round, different result. The amazing part of this game was how Miltown managed to lose. The injuries to Peter Cleary, Shane Curtin and Micheal Malone disturbed Miltown preparations for the match. St.Joseph's dominated the second half, wind assisted, but only managed to add 4 points to their tally. Corofin for their part only had about 5 attacks and centre forward Jason Tierney scored 3 goals.

First goal came from the penalty spot, a long ball forward was deflected goal ward by the Corofin wing forward, Sean O'Brien scrambled to his left and made a good save. The ball dribbled across the open goal, full back David Cleary attempted to clear but managed to foul the ball giving Corofin the penalty. Tierney duly slotted it home. The second goal came from a good move down the Corofin right and finished with Tierney lashing the ball home from a tight angle, a superb finish from the Corofin man. Miltown were reeling now and things were compounded when Tierney put them 4 points in front. A Corofin free on the right following a foul by Brian Sexton was floated into the box. Confusion between Brian Sexton and Sean O'Brien allowed Tierney to steal in and fist to the net.

It was a real pity in the end. Things had started well for Miltown. 1-2 to 3 points up after half time, Tommy Flynn neatly taking the goal just before the break, left Miltown thinking the second round was in the bag but a poor second half display cost Miltown.

Miltown Team: S. O'Brien, E. O'Brien, D.Cleary, B. Sexton, E. O'Gorman, J. Sexton (C), C. McGuane, G.Curtin, G. Malone, T. Flynn, D. Talty, E.Fox, S. Malone, J.Curtin, D. O'Malley. Subs: S.O'Malley for B.Sexton

Disappointing results at underage level

The past few weeks have seen a number of disappointing results at underage level for the St. Josephs Miltown teams in action. The under-21 side bowed out at the first hurdle in the defense of the u-21 'B' title won in 2008. A 3-3 to 1-6 defeat was the result against Corofin where the concession of three second half goals was to prove a hammer blow which the team failed to recover from. The under-16 side battled bravely in the Division 1 semi-final but went under to Wolftones on a 0-12 to 0-5 scoreline. Overall, the team performed well to reach a semi final and the aim will be to build on this at minor level. The under-14 championship has proven to be most difficult for all involved as the team has failed to build on a decent showing in the Feile competition earlier this year. Three defeats have been the result from the first three games of the Division 1-2 competition.