Relegation fears decrease for Seniors

Miltown 1-12 Clondegad 2-7 @Ballynacally

Miltown moved a step closer to division 1 safety following a good win over Clondegad in Ballynacally today. Gary Egan opened Miltown's account with a nice strike from the right. Dessie Molohan added the remainder of St.Joseph's scores in the 1st half from both placed balls and play. Gary Brennan scored a fantastic free for Clondegad from about 55m to leave the half time score 6 points a piece, despite the home side having played with the aid of a brisk breeze.

Following the break, Miltown edged in front through Molohan before Michael Hehir was adjudged to have foot blocked in the square when Podge McMahon was through on goal. Shane Brennan drove the penalty high to the right out of Niall Quinn's reach. St. Joseph's drew level again through points from Molohan and Kevin Keavey. Micheal Malone, who was beginning to have an influence in the game at this point, put Miltown in front 10 points to 1-6. Clondegad leveled again and then were awarded a second penalty when David Cleary and Kevin Burke fouled the opposing full forward. Shane Brennan stepped up again, different side, same result. Miltown were now three behind and it looked unlikely that Miltown could win the game with less than 5 minutes to go. John Meade then narrowed the deficit, before a Joe Curtin pass put Molohan through and he calmly slotted by the keeper. Dessie Molohan added a further point form a 45 before the end to give Miltown a 2 point win.

Great credit is due to the players who have stepped up the the mark over the last number of games and have put in some good performances and also to those who have kept the team functioning while a new manager is put in place.

Miltown Team: N.Quinn, D.Cleary, K.Burke, E.Malone, G.Curtin, Graham Kelly, M. Hehir, Gordon Kelly, K.Keavey, J.Meade, G.Egan, M.Malone, S.Malone, J.Curtin, D.Molohan. Subs: D.McDonagh for G.Egan.

U12s Win in O'Halloran League

Miltown 3-11 An Boithrin 1-5

Miltown got back to winning ways in the O'Halloran League with a win over An Boithrin in Miltown last night. In a close fought first half Miltown led by the minimum at the break. 5 points to 4 with points coming from Colm Lenihan, Cian Flanagan, Sean Clancy and Tadhg O'Neill. The second half was a different story as Miltown made their dominance pay. Goals from Cian Flanagan, Sean Clancy and Tadhg O'Neill gave the home side an easy victory. Miltown had good displays from goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn, Euan Reidy, Jack Downes and Saul Boyd.

Miltown Team: T.Flynn, S.Boyd, C.Lenihan, E.Reidy, J.Downes, C.Flanagan, T.O'Neill, S.Clancy, C.O'Mahoney, J.Clancy, C.O'Malley. Sub: A.Rynne for C.O'Malley.

U16s through to Semi Final

Miltown 5-7 Wolfe Tones 2-11

Miltown qualified for the semi final of the U16 B championship with a win over Wolfe Tones last night. Miltown led throughout and despite the Shannon sides best efforts they could not close the gap in the second half. The St. Joseph's goals came from Drew Clancy, Sean Hanrahan, Eoin Deveraux, Eoin Hurley and Darragh Lynch.

Miltown Team: Brian Talty, Liam Gray, Sheamie Parra, Eoin Hennessy, Drew Clancy(1-0), John O'Brien, John McGuane, Michael Marrinan(0-1), Aidan McGuane, Sean Hanrahan(1-0), Michael Hamilton, Eoin Deveraux(1-1), Eoin Hurley(1-1), Kevin Downes(0-2), Colm McMahon(0-2). Subs: Cormac Murray(0-1), Darragh Lynch(1-0), Sean Malone.

Juniors Defeated by Coolmeen

Miltown 0-7 Coolmeen 0-11 @ Miltown Malbay

Miltown Juniors remain rooted to the bottom of division 4 after their fourth loss of the campaign to Coolmeen on Good Friday. Miltown started well and were in front before Coolmeen got into their stride. Mikey Neylon got 1 point from midfield while Michael "T" Talty looked dangerous at top of the right getting two nice score early on. St. Joseph's were behind by 2 at the interval 6 points to 4. Despite the best efforts of the lads, Coolmeen's superior fitness told and the gap was never closed in the second half. Miltown now have 3 games left to save their status in this division.

Miltown Team: Robbie Healy, Brendan O'Brien, Kevin Burke, Kieran Shannon, Michael Hehir, David Murrihy, David Talty, Mikey Neylon, Peter Cleary, Thomas Meade, Eoin McDonagh, Gerard Malone, Colm Haugh, Niall Quinn, Michael Talty.

Program Notes from Feile Final

Today is St.Joseph’s Miltown Malbay’s 6th appearance in the Feile na nOg Final. Miltown’s last appeared in the final in 2008 when they were defeated by today’s opponents Wolfe Tones. The St. Joseph’s Team was managed by John O’Sullivan, Pat Keane and Gerry Curtin, captained by Luke Reidy and also had important displays from Donal Keane, Conor and Eoin Cleary. In 2007 Miltown had defeated Wolfe Tones na Sionna to captured the club’s second feile title. In a comprehensive 5-5 to 0-6 win, the West Clare side qualified for the national stages held in Sligo/Leitrim. John O’Sullivan was manager with Pat Keane and Gerry Curtin, and Darragh McDonagh, Martin Rynne, Cathal Hogan & Ciaran O’Malley were prominent members of the team. St.Joseph’s had also competed in the 2006 decider where they went down to Doora/Barefield. The team was managed by Michael Hehir, John Malone & John Talty and was captained by Niall McGuane. Seanie Malone, who went on the represent the county at minor level, was one of the pivotal performers in the campaign along with Eoin O’Brien, Eoin Corbett, Sean O’Malley & Tommy Flynn. In 2004, the Michael Hehir managed Miltown side went down by the narrowest of margins to neighbours Ennistymon, 3-7 to 3-6. Joe Curtin was captain and top scorer, while important displays were also given by Micheal Malone, David Talty & Gearoid Curtin. However, you have to go back to 1998 for the 1^st Feile na nOg win by a Miltown Malbay team, Michael Murray managed the team at that time and players of the calibre of Kevin Keavey (captain), Cathal Lafferty and current county senior Graham Kelly were foremost throughout the competition.

Despite the success in the Feile na nOg competition Miltown have never captured the Under 14 championship, perhaps the boys in Maroon and Amber out there today can rectify this anomaly.

The fact that this team has qualified for this final today is a huge feat in itself, as 2 years ago this side only won 2 games in the under 12 championship. Great credit is due to the management team of Michael Howe, Martin Hehir and Chris Crowe for the immense progress made by this group, but the work done at underage by the club and particularly by John O’Sullivan and Tommy Byrne must also be noted.

Everyone in Miltown wishes the lads the best of luck today!

U14s lose out in tight Feile final

Wolfe Tones 3-6 Miltown 2-6 @ Cusack Park

A terrific fight back in the second half from an unfancied Miltown side had Wolfe Tones nerves jangling in Cusack Park on Sunday. Wolfe Tones were overwhelming favourites to win the Feile na nOg final but Joe Marrinan lay down an early marker as he goaled to put Miltown in front. The Shannon side dominated the remainder of the first half with Miltown clinging on at times and at half time the St.Joseph's supporters feared the worst at Wolfe Tones led 3-4 to 1-2. But wayward shooting by the favourites and some dogged determination from the Miltown men kept them in touch. Points from Diarmuid Meade and Cormac Murray narrowed the deficit and when Christopher Mongan rattled the net with 5 minutes left there was only 3 between the side. However that was as close as it got and Wolfe tones held on to secure a feile double in hurling and football.

Miltown Team: T.Clancy, R.Sexton, S.Hanrahan, P.Murray, S.Crowe, C.Hehir, J.Flanagan, M.Mongan, S.Malone (0-2), J.Carmody, C.Murray (0-3), C.Mongan (1-0), J.Marrinan (1-0), S.Mahoney (C), N.Hehir. Subs: D.Meade (0-1) for Carmody, T O'Neill for R.Sexton.

Much needed victory for seniors

St. Josephs Miltown senior side recorded their first victory in the Cusack Cup with a one point win over Doora Barefield in Miltown today. Miltown were on top for the majority of the game but a failure to kill off the game resulted in them hanging on at the end for a 0-9 to 2-2 victory. Miltown played some good football in the firsat half to lead at the break on a 0-7 to 1-2 scoreline. However, three missed goal opportunities meant that their dominance was not reflected in a greater lead. In a poor quality second half, Miltown lead by four in the closing minutes but a Doora Barefield goal resulted in a nervy finish. All involved with the club will hope to see a senior manager appointed in the short term to bring an end to a turbulent few weeks for the senior setup. The team lined out as follows today: Niall Quinn, David Cleary, Kevin Burke, Enda Malone, Brian Curtin, Sean Meade, Gearoid Curtin, Gordon Kelly, Kevin Keavey (0-1), John Meade, Gary Egan (0-2), Ian Sexton, Micheal Malone (0-1), Joe Curtin (0-4), Seanie Malone (0-1) Subs used: Micheal Talty for Gary Egan (blood sub), Egan for Talty, Conor McKenna for Brian Curtin, Dara McDonagh for Sean Meade

Round 3 of Cusack Cup brings defeat for Miltown

Shannon Gaels 0-9 Miltown 0-6

Miltown traveled to Labasheeda with only 1 point on the board from the opening 2 rounds of the Cusack Cup. Following Mikey Neylon's departure as manager it was unclear what the game held for the away side. After a poor but even first half the sides were level 4 points a piece at the break. However Shannon Gaels took their chances in the second period and made St. Joseph's pay for their wayward shooting as they amassed 18 wides over the hour.
With 4 rounds remaining time is on Miltown's side and with a small improvement in performances relegation can be avoided.
Miltown Team: P.Queally, D.Cleary, Gordon Kelly, E.Malone, I.Sexton, S.Meade, G.Curtin, J.Meade, Graham Kelly, B.Curtin, K.Keavey, G.Egan, D.Molohan, S.Malone, J.Curtin.

Feile na nOg Final beckons for U14s

Miltown 6-9 Cooraclare 5-6.

Miltown U14s are through to the clubs 6th Feile na nOg County final following a thrilling victory against Cooraclare. St.Joseph's who over came Ennistymon and Doora/Barefield in the group stages scraped through the quarter final stages with a sudden death win over Kilrush, 2-8 to 3-4. However the semi final was an exciting game as the tie was in the balance for most of the game. Great credit is due to the management team of Michael Howe, Martin Hehir and Chris Crowe. Miltown face Wolfe tones in the final on Sunday at Cusack Park at 2pm. Wolfe Tones were the opposition on the last two occasions St.Joseph's played in the Feile final 2007 & 2008. Everyone in the club wishes the lads the best of luck on Sunday.

Semi Final Team: P.Tubridy, R.Sexton, S.Hanrahan, P.Murray, S.Crowe, C.Hehir, J.Flanagan, S.Malone, M.Mongon, C.Mongon, C.Murray, G.Burke, J.Marrinan, S.Mahony (capt), N.Hehir. Subs: T.Clancy, J.O'Connor, P.Haran, C.Byrne, D.Curtin, J.Carmody, T.O'Neill, D.Meade.

U12 Banner League

Corofin 4-4 Miltown 1-3 @ Corofin 6/4/11

Corofin overcame a competitive Miltown side in the opening round of the Banner League. The home side took their chances when they came, this proved to be the difference between the sides at the finish. Paul Keane netted a nice goal for Miltown while Jack Downes at midfield added 2 fine points. James Clancy who was captain for the night was excellent and he was ably assisted by corner back Cillian O'Malley who made a number of crucial interceptions. Ronan Meade did well at midfield as did Ben Whelehan at corner forward who's shots forced the keeper into a number of good saves.
Miltown Team: J.Mongon, C.O'Malley, J.Clancy, M.Cunningham, J.Downes, R.Meade, C.Mahoney, P.Keane, B.Whelehan.

U12 win in opening round

Miltown 3-18 Corofin 3-4 @ Corofin 6/4/11

Miltown secured a good win in the opening round of the O'Halloran League in Corofin last Wednesday. St.Joseph's proved too strong for the home side and ran out convincing winners after good play from Saul Boyd & Cian Flanagan in defence. Captain Eoin O'Looney at midfield played well and kicked a number of fine points from distance. Up front Christy Keane slotted home 5 points while Sean Clancy was clinical as ever with two fine goals. Next up is Kilfenora/Liscannor/Ml.Cusacks in round two.

Miltown Team: M.Murray, C.O'Mahoney, S.Boyd, C.Flanangan, E.Reidy, O.O'Looney, E.O'Looney, J.Downes, Z.Whelehan, S.Clancy, C.Keane. Subs. J.Clancy for J.Downes

Cusack Cup & div 4 fixtures for 2011

The following are the remaining Cusack Cup division 1 football fixtures for 2011:
April 17th: Shannon Gaels v Miltown
April 25th: Miltown v St. Josephs Doora Barefield
April 30th: Clondegad v Miltown
June 11th: Miltown v Kilmurry Ibrickane
June 18th: Doonbeg v Miltown

The remaining division 4 fixtures are:
April 16th: Kilmihil v Miltown
April 25th: Miltown v Coolmeen
May 1st: Meelick v Miltown
June 12th: Miltown v Naomh Eoin
June 19th: Miltown v Cooraclare