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