Derby date for seniors in championship opener

St. Josephs Miltown senior side have been drawn against Enistymon in the opening round of the senior football championship for 2012. This local derby will be a big challenge for Miltown as Ennistymon are being talked of as a team to make a major impact in this years championship on the back of considerable minor and u-21 success. Interestingly, Miltown also play Ennistymon in round 2 of the Cusack Cup this Saturday.

The Junior A side who face Kilmihil in a div 5 league tie this Saturday have been drawn in a group with Eire Og, Clondegad and Clarecastle.

Juniors Get Off to Winning Start in Division 5

Miltown 0-17 Kilkee 2-6 @ Miltown

Following their relegation from Division 4 in 2011 the junior team were eager to get off to a good start in Division 5 with a view to pushing for promotion later in the season. Things started well, as Miltown opened a 4 points to no score lead early on, with scores from Niall Quinn, John Meade & Eoin McDonagh. Kilkee settled at this stage and closed the gap, 5 points to 3. The home side looked to be heading into the break ahead, until Brendan O'Brien was penalised for a jersey pull in the square and Kilkee were awarded a penalty. Despite Robbie Healy's best efforts, the penalty was converted and Miltown trailed at the break by 1 point, 1-3 to 5 points.

Peter Cleary's introduction at half time had a huge bearing on the game, as Miltown began to dominate possession around the middle of the field. During this period St.Joseph's outscored Kilkee 7 points to 1, with Niall Quinn scoring 5 points in a row from play. Kilkee were not finished yet and when their corner forward netted a fine shot from 20 meters, Miltown were under pressure again. Gerard Malone steadied the ship with two fine scores, one a beautiful shot from way out on the Miltown right flank. Further scores were added by Niall Quinn and Eoin McDonagh to give St.Joseph's the victory.

Miltown had good displays from James & Brendan O'Brien in defence, while young Sean Mahoney also impressed. John Meade & Peter Cleary formed a very effective partnership at midfield, while up front, wing forwards Eoin McDonagh & Conal O'Friel worked tirelessly to good effect. However, special mention must go to Niall Quinn at centre forward who put in a "man of the match" performance, scoring 10 points and providing Kilkee with endless problems, to which they had no answer.

Miltown Team: R.Healy, J.O'Brien, J.Galvin, M.Cleary, B.O'Brien, E.O'Brien, S.Mahoney, G.Malone, J.Meade, E.McDonagh, N.Quinn, C.O'Friel, T.Meade, T.Flynn, E.Fox. Subs: P.Cleary for E.Fox, C.Haugh for T.Flynn.

Seniors dismiss Coolmeen with Ease

Miltown 3-14 Coolmeen 0-2 @ Miltown

Miltown made it two wins from two games, with an easy win over Coolmeen in the O'Gorman Cup today. It was the home sides first win in the competition and sets them up nicely for their encounter with Ennistymon next weekend in the Cusack Cup. Manager James Fleming, made 6 changes from the team that defeated Kilrush and the eagerness to impress of those 6 was evident throughout. Miltown's goals came through Michael Hehir and substitutes Niall Quinn and Dessie Molohan, who made his first appearance of the season.

Miltown Team: R.Healy, B.O'Brien, K.Burke, E.Malone, I.Sexton, D.Cleary, C.McKenna, J.Meade, S.Meade, B.Curtin, G.Egan, M.Hehir, J.Curtin, E.Curtin, D.Talty. Subs: D.Molohan for S.Meade, N.Quinn for J.Curtin & G.Malone for D.Talty.

Convincing Opening Round Cusack Cup Win

Miltown 1-11 Kilrush 0-3 @ Kilrush

Miltown opened their Cusack Cup campaign with an 11 point win, over a poor Kilrush outfit on last Monday. Kilrush played with the aid of the breeze in the first half but trailed by 1 at half time 3pts to 2. However Miltown should have been further in front having missed a number of  frees and on more than one occasion, lost control of possession when scores seemed imminent.

Miltown dominated the second half and pulled 3 points ahead through the boot of Joe Curtin from placed balls. Eoin Curtin was denied a goal when his rasping shot struck the post midway through the half but he was rewarded moments later when he netted following a rebound from Gary Egan's fisted effort. St.Joseph's converted 5 unanswered points in the finishing stages to put the result beyond doubt. Manager James Fleming, can be very pleased with the overall performance by his side, the Miltown defence were very solid and had a number of good displays, particularly from the excellent Sean Malone and Graham Kelly. Enda Malone & Brendan O'Brien also did well. Sean & John Meade got the better of the exchanges at midfield and Eoin Curtin was lively in attack.

Miltown Team: N.Quinn, B.O'Brien, K.Burke, E.Malone, S.Malone, Gordon Kelly, D.McDonagh, J.Meade (Capt), S.Meade, Graham Kelly, G.Egan, M.Malone, B.Curtin, E.Curtin, J.Curtin. Subs: M.Hehir for B.Curtin, C.McKenna for G.Egan, G.Malone for G.Kelly, I.Sexton for B.O'Brien & D.Talty for J.Curtin.

Winning start for u-16's

St. Josephs Miltown u-16 side got their season off to an excellent start with a comprehensive victory over Cooraclare on Saturday. Miltown ran out victors on a 4-4 to 1-2 scoreline and will face Kilrush at home next Saturday in their second game in the competition.