Round 2 loss for Minors

Minor Championship: Round 2 @ Kilmihil

Kilmihil 2-11 Miltown 0-14

Following their opening round thrashing of Parteen, Miltown were eager to add 2 more points to their division 2 championship tally against a fancied Kilmihil outfit. Miltown started poorly and found it hard to get to grips with Kilmihil's free flowing football. The home side raced to a four point lead. Francis Gray, then had to make two good saves in the Miltown goal. At this stage Kilmihil were rampant and their goal came following a deflection off Miltown corner back Ciaran Kennelly which diverted the ball out of Gray's reach. Kilmihil led at half time 1-8 to 0-5.

The half time break rejuvenated Miltown and the gap was closed to 2 points 1-8 to 0-9 very quickly after the restart. Fine scores from Sean Malone and Eoin Cleary had Kilmihil on the back foot as Miltown attacked with purposed. Darragh McDonagh and Conor Cleary at midfield, were now dominant, with center forward David Meade mopping up the breaks. However, against the run of play, the home side were awarded a dubious penalty when John Organ was adjudged to have fouled the corner forward, when he appeared to have slapped the ball away legitimately . Martin O'Leary converted and added a point to open the gap to six, again. Back came Miltown, points from both the Cleary brothers and Sean Malone reduced the gap to two. Miltown were then denied a penalty claim when Sean Malone appeared to be tripped but referee Brian Keniry was not convinced. Kilmihil tagged on a point in the closing minutes to give them a 3 point win.

Miltown Team: Francis Gray, Ciaran Kennelly, Martin Rynne, John Organ, Declan O'Brien, Eoin Corbett, Donal Keane, Darragh McDonagh, Conor Cleary, Sean O'Malley, David Meade, Patrick McCaw, Tommy Howard, Eoin Cleary, Sean Malone. Subs: Michael Hamilton for P.McCaw & P.Flynn for D.O'Brien

Under 14's record home win

Under 14 Championship Rd 2 @ Miltown

Miltown 4-8 Kilrush 3-9

Following the first round loss to St.Breckan's, Miltown Under 14's were eager to get their championship back on track with their first home game. Kilrush got the opening point following a good start but Miltown dominated the first half going in 3-5 to 0-4 points up at half time, with goals from Shane Mahoney, Cormac Murray and Michael Greene.

Kilrush put Miltown under severe pressure in the second half and closed the gap to two points after Paul Tubridy saved a penalty only for the rebound to be slotted home. Sean Malone increased Miltown's advantage again with a long range goal, which he followed with a good point. The Shamrocks continued to narrow the gap as Miltown came under sustained pressure. Good defending from Colin Hehir, Brian Talty and in particular Sean Hanrahan kept Miltown in front at crucial stages, while Cormac Murray and Sean Malone looked dangerous in attack. In the end, time was to beat the south clare side and Miltown hung on for a good victory which will please the management team of Michael Howe, Robbie Healy and David Talty.

Miltown Team: Paul Tubriby, Liam Gray, Sean Hanrahan (Capt), Darragh Lynch, Colin Hehir, Martin Mongan, Brian Talty, Michael Marrinan, Eoin Deveraux, Shane Mahoney, Christopher Mongan, Sean Malone,Cormac Murray, Michael Greene, Eoin Hurley. Subs: Gearoid Burke for M.Greene, Rory Sexton for E.Hurley.

Cusack Cup Champions

St. Josephs Miltown bridged a 15 year gap on Sunday evening when they defeated Shannon Gaels on a 1-7 to 0-7 scoreline. On a wet and misty evening, a solid defensive performance which nullified the threat on Shannon Gaels main scoring threats was the key to victory. Miltown started very slowly and were fortunate to be only 0-2 to 0-0 down after a hectic opening 20 minutes which was high on intensity but low in quality football. However, Miltown gained a foothold in the last ten minutes and only trailed 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time. Two Eoin Curtin frees and a point from Joe Curtin being the scorers. Miltown notched the opening two scores of the second half through Joe Curtin and a long range effort from Sean Meade. With the scores tied at 5 each, Miltown got the crucial score of the game when Joe Curtin fisted to the net from a '45 that dropped short. Eoin Curtin then fired over from long range to open a four point gap. Shannon Gaels however dominated the last ten minutes of action but were denied by a well organised defence and with Conor O'Loughlin in superb form in goal all evening, Miltown held on to record a magnificent win for the club. A particular noteworthy feature of the evening was the massive support for the team at the game which was great to see from the parish. The evening finished with captain Eoin Curtin receiving the trophy and Joe Cullen entertained the crowd with a rendition of "Lovely Old Miltown". Well done to all involved with the team. The team lined out as follows: Conor O'Loughlin, Enda Malone, Graham Kelly, David Cleary, Enda O'Gorman, Gordon Kelly, Gearoid Curtin, Sean Meade(0-1), John Meade, Micheal Malone, Gary Egan, Kevin Keavey, Joe Curtin (1-2), Michael Barry, Eoin Curtin (0-4). Subs used: Seanie Malone for Micheal Malone, Cathal Lafferty for John Meade, Dessie Molohan for Kevin Keavey

All set for Cusack Cup final

St.Josephs Miltown senior side will have their biggest game in a number of years on this Sunday when they face Shannon Gaels in the Cusack Cup Division 1 league final. Both teams recorded surprise wins in their respective semi finals last week and will enter the game full of confidence. Miltown still have a long injury list and players who would be starters like Dessie Molohan, Kevin Burke, Shane and Brian Curtin will sit the game out. However, the management team of Michael Neylon, Martin Flynn and John O'Malley will place their faith in the team that performed well against Doonbeg last Sunday. Shannon Gaels enter the final as favourites but all involved will feel confident that victory can claimed if Miltown can reproduce their form from the last ten minutes against Doonbeg for a more prolonged period on this occasion. The following is the preview of the game as taken from the hoganstand.com website:

Division 1 (Cusack Cup)

St. Joseph's Miltown v Shannon Gaels

The main prize on offer this weekend sees the meeting of St. Joseph's Miltown Malbay and Shannon Gaels. Both sides upset the odds to qualify for this final with St. Joseph's narrowly defeating Doonbeg and Shannon Gaels overcoming the holders Kilmurry Ibrickane. Ironically Shannon Gaels could have been battling it out in Division 2 this year only for the county board to review the relegation structure from Division 1. It is a unique pairing in that neither side has contested a Cusack Cup final in recent years, you have to go back to 1995 when St. Joseph's last contested a final while it's nearly another twenty years since, 1976 to be exact, then that the Gaels were involved in a Cusack Cup decider. Back in 1995 the St. Joseph's Miltown men won their sixth ever league title with current team manager Michael Nealon the victorious captain. He was joined on that team with his fellow selectors, Martin Flynn and John O'Malley. Similarly the last time the Gaels contested a final they won it, back in 1976 they claimed a third league title for their club when they overcame Doonbeg. Indeed the 70's was a great time for the Labasheeda based club as they also claimed two county senior titles in the early 70's and followers of the Gaels will be hopeful that they have a team capable of capturing for senior championship honours. The same can be said of Miltown who last tasted championship success in 1991 and although the talent is there they have failed to live up to their promise when it comes to capturing senior crowns. This weekend's encounter promises to be an excellent game with the Gaels narrowly getting the nod. Both sides have injury worries with both sides hoping that they will have a clean bill of health come Sunday at 7 pm. Miltown will look to the Kelly bothers Gordon and Graham, Eoin Curtin, Enda and Micheal Malone, Michael Barry and Conor O'Loughlin to lead the way. For the Gaels, John Paul O'Neill, Armagh native Barry Toner, Tomas Cleary, John Bermingham, Keith Ryan, Tomas Madigan and teenager Ruairi Norby will lead their challenge.

Verdict: Shannon Gaels

Seniors into Cusack Cup final

St. Josephs Miltown senior side have qualified for their first Cusack Cup division 1 final since 1997 following a dramatic 2-9 to 1-11 victory over Doonbeg on Sunday evening in Quilty. After a very even first half, the sides were level on a 1-3 to 0-6 scoreline. Eoin Curtin grabbed the goal early on after a great through pass from Enda Malone. The third quarter went score for score with the sides remaining deadlocked on a 1-6 to 0-9 scoreline. Doonbeg then appeared to have made the decisive move in the game when Colm Dillon cracked home a goal either side of two David Tubridy points. This put Doonbeg into a 1-11 to 1-6 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Michael Barry then sprung into life and cracked home 1-1 to cut the lead to one point. Kevin Keavey then levelled the game before Eoin Curtin hit the winner. The final is scheduled for next weekend. The opponents will be Shannon Gaels who will be full of confidence after defeating Kilmurry Ibrickane on a 2-9 to 0-10 scoreline in the other semi final. The team lined out as follows: Conor O'Loughlin, Enda Malone, Graham Kelly, David Cleary, Enda O'Gorman, Gordon Kelly, Gearoid Curtin, Sean Meade, John Meade, Kevin Keavey 0-2, Gary Egan 0-1, Seanie Malone, Joe Curtin, Michael Barry 1-2, Eoin Curtin 1-3. Subs: Micheal Malone 0-1 for Seanie Malone, Cathal Laffery for John Meade, David Talty for Joe Curtin

Results & Fixtures update

It has been a very successful week to date on the underage front. The minor side got their Division 2 group campaign off to a winning start with a comprehensive 9-16 to 2-2 victory over Parteen. While management will be delighted with the winning start, all are well aware that much tougher tests lie ahead in the coming games.
The u-21 side recorded a very good 1-9 to 0-10 win on Thursday evening over Kilrush who had shocked Kilmurry Ibrickane in the previous round. They now advance to a semi final of the u-21 'A' championship against Lissycasey. Lissycasey will enter this game as favourites having defeated the Cooraclare-Kilkee amalgamation and winning last year's minor A championship. However, with a county final place at stake, it is all to play for.
This weekend sees another crucial weekend of games at adult level. The Junior B side are due to face Michael Cusack's in the first round of the championship on this Saturday in Ennistymon. Having failed to field in the last number of league games and with several players lost to the Junior A side after last week, Manager Sean O'Brien will be hoping any possible players make the effort to be available so that a team is fielded at this level.
The big game of the weekend is the Cusack Cup Division 1 semi final on Sunday in Quilty at 5 where Miltown face Doonbeg. Doonbeg will enter the game as favourites but a win would be a massive boost to Miltown's season. The following is the preview of the game from this week's Clare Champion:
The Cusack Cup semi-finals will be staged at separate venues at 5pm on Sunday. Following their O’Gorman Cup final win over Lissycasey last Sunday evening, Doonbeg will play Miltown in Quilty for a place in the final.
Two years ago they reached the decider, only to be beaten by Kilmurry-Ibrickane in Kilmihil. The Mapgies topped the Cusack Cup table, winning six games and losing just twice to Cooraclare and, ironically, to Miltown. That latter game meant more to Miltown in that if they had lost, they could have been relegated. Instead, their win led to Miltown qualifying for the last four, which indicates how tight the Cusack Cup was this year.
Doonbeg were already sure of top spot and knew that if Miltown won, they would be likely to meet in the semi-final. Not alone will Miltown be highly motivated to reach the final, the fact that they will be given little chance of beating Doonbeg a second time should further spur them on.
If Miltown are to stun the Mapgies, players such as Eoin Curtin, Gordon and Graham Kelly, Enda Malone, Dessie Molohan, if fit, and Micheál Malone will have to produce their best form. Molohan limped out of Clare’s All-Ireland qualifier against Offaly in Tullamore two weeks ago, while Shane Curtin, Kevin Burke, Dessie and Brian Curtin are also expected to be absent this weekend.
Graham Kelly played against Doonbeg two weeks ago but was restricted by an arm injury that he has to recover from.
Doonbeg will look to Colm Dillon in the middle, David Tubridy, Shane Ryan and Kevin Nugent up front, Conor Whelan, Richie Vaughan and Padraic Ahern in defence to see them through.
Doonbeg haven’t won the Cusack Cup outright since 1994, although the 1998 final against Kilkee was not finished. They will be heavily favoured to qualify for this year’s final however, and should have a few points to spare over Miltown.

Winning start in Junior A championship

St Josephs Miltown Junior A side caused a major surprise in the first group game of the championship when defeating Nsomh Eoin on a 2-5 to 0-9 scoreline. Naomh Eoin would be among the championship favourites but in a game played in very wet conditions, Miltown showed great battling qualities to pull of the win. Goalkeeper Robbie Healy sealed the win in the closing stages when coming upfield to convert a 45. The management will now hope that no more players are lost from the team and go on to build on this performance. Miltown's next two group games are against Meelick and Ennistymon both of whom defeated Miltown in last years championship.

Miltown through to Cusack Cup semi final

St. Joseph's Miltown reached the semi finals of the Cusack Cup following a 0-9 to 0-6 victory over Doonbeg on Saturday evening in Miltown. Miltown opened brightly against the breeze and lead by 0-2 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Two further points from Kevin Keavey had the game tied at 0-4 each at half time. With the wind to their backs in the second half, Miltown were dominating possession but some poor shooting meant the sides were level at 0-6 each with ten minutes remaining. In the concluding stages, two points from Gordon Kelly running from deep and the some crucial turnovers from the hardworking Seanie Malone secured the win. Gary Egan also chipped in with two points and Eoin Curtin got one in the second half. Miltown now face a re-match against Doonbeg in the Cusack Cup semi final on the weekend of July 17/18th. The team lined out as follows: Conor O'Loughlin, Enda Malone, Graham Kelly, Enda O'Gorman, Gearoid Curtin, Gordon Kelly, Michael Hehir, John Meade, Sean Meade, Kevin Keavey, Gary Egan, Seanie Malone, Eoin Curtin, Michael Barry, Joe Curtin

Deciding round of games in league action this weekend

St. Josephs Miltown Senior and Junior 'A' sides face a mammoth weekend of action this weekend to decide their fate for the season in terms of league football.
Due to extremely competitive nature of Division 1 this year, Miltown face table toppers Doonbeg in the knowledge that a win will guarantee a semi final spot whereas defeat could like lead to relegation to Division 2 next year depending on results elsewhere. This game is down to take place in Miltown on Saturday evening at 7:30pm.
The Junior A side have been dealt a cruel hand by the fixtures committee with a semi final playoff for Division 4 pencilled in for 12 noon on Sunday in Kilmihil against Cooraclare. The loss of a number of players to the senior side due to recent championship action coupled with the "potential attraction" of Saturday night of Willie Clancy will leave management with a tough task to keep minds focused on this crucial game.
Best of luck is extended to both teams where two victories would be a big boost to the season for Miltown football at adult level.