Minors finish group stage with loss

Corofin 6-3 Miltown 2-3

@ Miltown 26/09/10

Wayward shooting and at times calamitous defending ensured that Miltown minors finished the group stages with a loss to table toppers Corofin. Given that both sides were already through to the knockout stages the game was played without the usual intensity. Miltown, who were without a number of regulars, were under pressure early on and managed to concede 5 goals in the first half, most of which were as much about defensive errors as great forward play. Miltown did have a number of effective performers, Niall McGuane and Damien Lafferty did well at midfield and Donal Keane and Ciaran Keneally were competitive at the back. Corofin led at half time 5-3 to 0-1.
After the half time break Miltown improved and Kevin Long got Miltown's first goal with a powerful shot midway through the half. At this stage St.Joseph's were putting the North Clare side under sustained pressure when Niall McGuane's quick free was well saved by the Corofin goalkeeper. In the end it was a bridge too far for the home side, as time ran out Sheanie Parra added Miltown's second goal from close range.
Miltown now face Kilmihil in the semi final.

Miltown Team: Ciaran Flanagan, Paudie Flynn, Ciaran Kenneally, Eoin Corbett, Sean O'Malley, Martin Rynne, Donal Keane, Damien Lafferty, Niall McGuane, Sheamie Parra, David Meade, Cian Talty, Francis Gray, Kevin Long, Luke Reidy. Sub: Michael Hamilton for Kevin Long.

u-21's bow out at semi stage

St.Josephs Miltown u-21 side bowed out to Lissycasey on a 1-12 to 2-5 scoreline at the u-21 A semi final stage on Saturday. A ridiciously long gap of more than 10 weeks since the quarter final games were played resulted in a very lethargic Miltown display for the first 40 minutes. Lissycasey started much the brighter and raced into a 1-5 to nil lead before Joe Curtin opened Miltown's account. The half time scored stood at 1-7 to 0-2 with Lissycasey in firm control. A Joe Curtin penalty midway through the second half sparked a Miltown revival which was added to when Seanie Malone added a goal in the closing minutes which cut the deficit to three points. Miltown now sensed an escape route which would have been out of keeping with the general trend of the game. However, an otherwise generally sporting game degenerated in the closing minutes which killed the momentum that Miltown were building. Lissycasey kicked the insurance point while a player from each side was dismissed following a mini brawl. Overall, management will point to some key injuries which resulted in missing key players and will wonder what would have been if the championship had been completed as scheduled in July. The team lined out as follows: David Cleary, Brendan O'Brien, Shane Curtin, Colin McGuane, Tiernan O'Friel, Enda O'Gorman, Eoin O'Brien, Gearoid Curtin, Gerard Malone, David Talty, Micheal Malone, Tommy Flynn, Seanie Malone(1-1), Joe Curtin(1-4), Enda Fox. Subs used: Peter Cleary for Enda Fox, Damien Lafferty for Tommy Flynn

Minors Qualify for Division 2 Semi Final.

Miltown 1-10 Kilrush 0-4

@ Hennessy Park

Miltown secured qualification for the semi final of the Minor Division 2 championship, with one game to spare, following a comprehensive win over Kilrush Shamrocks. Miltown went ahead after 2 minutes, when Eoin Cleary converted a penalty after he had been fouled. Points from Cian Talty and Eoin Cleary gave Miltown a 1-4 to 0-3 lead at half time.

Miltown added six points in the second half, with some excellent scores coming from Darragh McDonagh and in particular Sean Malone. Martin Rynne, Niall McGuane and Ciaran Kenneally were solid in defence as St.Joseph's cruised to victory. The final group game against Corofin will decided if Miltown face Kilmihil or Kilrush in the semi final.

Miltown Team: C.Flanagan, E.Corbett, C.Kenneally, D.Keane, N.McGuane, M.Rynne, S.O'Malley (Capt), D. McDonagh, D. Lafferty, C.Talty, D.Meade, T.Howard, S.Malone, E.Cleary, F.Gray. Subs: S.Parra for T.Howard, S.Mahoney for D.Lafferty, P.Flynn for F.Gray.

Canny Cup 2010

Miltown U10 Canny Cup Team.
Back Row LtoR:C.Devitt, Z.Whelehan, J.Clancy, J.Downes, M.Murray, C.Flanagan, R.Meade, O.O'Looney, E. Reidy. T.Flynn. Front Row: E.Crowley, D.Grimes, M.Cunningham, S.Reidy, B.Whelehan, L.Carton, C.O'Malley

Miltown U10's gave a good account of themselves at the recent Canny Cup tournament in Kilrush. They managed to beat Killimer 2-4 to 0-2 with both goals coming from Jack Downes. A narrow 4 point defeat by Ennistymon 4-4 to 3-3 with the goals coming from again, the in form, Jack Downes and Oisin O'Looney (2). Kilmihil were the next opponents for St.Joseph's and they ran out easy winner 4-6 to 0-2. With goals from Euan Reidy (2), Micheal Murray & Jack Downes. The final group game against O'Curry's/Naomh Eoin was to decide qualification to the quarter finals. Unfortunately a tired Miltown side went down easily 5-4 to 1-2 with Micheal Murray getting the goal. Overall a very credible performance in what was the more difficult qualification group. 

U12 Garda Tournament Final

Miltown U12 Team that contested Garda Tournament Div4 Final.
Back Row: C.Keane, Daniel Curtin, T.Clancy, S.Crowe, R.Sexton, N.Hehir (capt), E.Looney, Daithi Curtin, P.Murray, P.Haran.
Front Row: D.O'Sullivan, C.Lenihan, O. O'Looney, M.Murray, D.Meade, T.O'Neill, J.O'Connor, J.Marrinan, E.Reidy.
Missing from Photo: Cormac Byrne & Sean Clancy

Na Fianna 2-3 Miltown 0-7.

Played @ Cusack Park 03/09/10

Miltown went down by 2 points in a closely fought Division 4 Garda tournament final. Playing with the wind in the first half Miltown started well, Padraig Murray was well on top at midfield and Miltown had Na Fianna under sustained pressure for long periods. However St.Joseph's struggled to convert their dominance in to scores and a number of goal chances went unconverted. When Joe Marrinan rattled the crossbar just before half time you had to feel Miltown's luck was out. At half time Miltown led 5 points to 1.

The second half was more balanced and Miltown's defence were holding Na Fianna forwards at bay. Unfortunately for Miltown, Na Fianna got a fortuitous goal when a long range shot dipped under Thomas Clancy's crossbar. Na Fianna added a further goal and despite very tenacious play in the second half Miltown were unable to regain the lead.

Overall Miltown played the better football on the day but just could not convert their chances when they came.

Miltown Team: T.Clancy, E.Reidy, S.Crowe, P.Haran, O. O'Looney, T. O'Neill, E. O'Looney, P.Murray, D. Meade, J.Marrinan, J.O'Connor, N.Hehir (C), Daniel Curtin, Daithi Curtin, R. Sexton. Subs: C.Keane for D.Meade, C.Lenihan for Daniel Curtin, M.Murray for P.Haran.
Scorers: N.Hehir (0-2), J.Marrinan (0-2), R.Sexton, Daniel Curtin & Daithi Curtin 1 pt each.

Comfortable win for minors

St Josephs Miltown minor side continued their winning run with a 5-12 to 0-2 victory over Doonbeg on Saturday evening. Miltown have two remaining group games to play against Kilrush and Corofin. One additional win would like guarantee a semi final place.

Miltown Team: C.Flanagan, J.Organ, C.Kenneally, D.Keane,S. O'Malley,  S.Malone, N.McGuane, C.Cleary, D.McDonagh, L. O'Connell, D.Meade, C.Talty, F.Gray, E.Cleary, T.Howard. Subs: D.Lafferty, P.Flynn, S.Parra & S.Mahoney.

Seniors complete their season

St. Josephs Miltown senior team completed their 2010 season on Saturday when they bowed out of the Senior B competition with a semi final defeat to Ennistymon on a 2-13 to 2-10 scoreline. Motivation was always going to be a problem for this game following from the disappointment of narrowly missing out on scoring differences for a quarter final spot. Missing five starters from the championship team, it was a much depleted team that fielded on the day. However, many of the newcomers played very well but some poor turnover of possession on the day which lead to at least 2-2 was to prove costly. Miltown lead 1-8 to 1-4 at half time with Dessie Molohan slotting home a goal. Miltown continued to hold the upperhand in the second half with Michael Barry continuing his good form of recent games with a fine goal. Miltown lead by 2-10 to 1-10 entering the closing stages but Ennistymon hit 1-3 in the closing stages to take the win. One worrying note from the day was an injury picked up in the opening minutes by Seanie Malone which could prove costly to the minor side in upcoming games. The team lined out as follows: Conor O'Loughlin, Michael Talty, Shane Curtin, Enda Malone, Ian Sexton, Gearoid Curtin, Michael Hehir, Cathal Lafferty, Michael Barry (1-2), David Talty, Gary Egan, Seanie Malone, Joe Curtin(0-1), John Meade, Eoin Curtin(0-3). Subs used: Dessie Molohan(1-4) for Seanie Malone(inj), Dara McDonagh for Cathal Lafferty, Michael Talty for Enda O'Gorman(inj).

In other news, the u-14 side completed their campaign with a 8-9 to 4-4 victory over Cratloe but missed out on a semi final spot.