Junior A championship details

St. Josephs Miltown Junior A side have been drawn in a very similar group to last year in the championship having been paired with Meelick, Ennistymon and Naomh Eoin. It is a tough ask for the team with the opening game against one of the championship favourites in Naomh Eoin. Meelick have beaten Miltown for the last two years and Ennistymon also won the corresponding fixture last year.,
The primary focus for Miltown this year will be to get a solid team structure in place as over half of last year's league team was lost by the time the championship campaign began. Best of luck to all involved.

Result Update & Senior championship draw 2010

The Miltown under-16 side made it two wins from two last Saturday in the Division 1 championship with a 1-16 to 2-6 victory over Cooraclare. They face Kilmihil in round 3 this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the draw for the 2010 Clare Senior Football championship took place last night and Miltown have been drawn in the toughest possible group with Kilmurry Ibrickane who line out tomorrow in the All Ireland club final versus St. Galls of Antrim, beaten 2009 county finalists Kilkee and beaten 2008 county finalists Liscannor.
Miltown's opening game will be against Liscannor in June and this is really looking like a season defining game. Interestingly, Miltown will play each of their championship opponents in upcoming games in Division 1 of the Cusack cup before the championship commences.

Results & Fixtures update

The under-16 side were the highlight of the weekend's action from a Miltown perspective over the weekend. The John O'Sullivan managed side recorded a 1-16 to 1-9victory over Ennistymon in the opening round of the Division 1 championship. Their next game is at home to Cooraclare this Saturday followed by a home game to Kilmihil on the following Saturday.
The adult sides had a disappointing weekend on the results front. An experimental senior side went down to Cooraclare on a 3-10 to 2-6 scoreline in the opening group game of the O'Gorman cup.
A very much understrength Junior 'A' side due to a clash with the senior game went under to Kilmurry Ibrickane on a 1-10 to 0-4 scoreline in their opening league fixture.

Weekend adult fixtures

This weekend sees the first outing of the year for the Junior A side in the Division 4 league. It will be very much a new look Junior side this year with a restructured management setup and a large turnover of players who featured prominently in recent years. They open their season with a home game on Saturday @ 2:30 against a Kilmurry Ibrickane side who have played Intermediate championship football in recent seasons. A winning start would be a fantastic opening for all involved.

Immediately after @ 4:30, the senior side will be looking to kickstart their season when they open their O'Gorman cup campaign at home to Cooraclare. Due to limited playing numbers and the age old fixture problems, it looks like that a number of players will have to play in both games or a compromise will have to be reached which is unfortunate for all involved. Miltown will also have games against Eire Og and Doora Barefield in the O'Gorman cup with the top two teams to reach the quarter final.

Update on u-12 & u-16 fixtures

The fixture list for the upcoming season has been announced. Miltown will compete in a combined Division 1 & 2 league which will then split into Div 1 and Div 2 1/4 finals after the initial league section.
Miltown's games in the initial league section are as follows:
Wed 7th April: Lissycasey (away)
Wed 21st April: Kilmihil (home)
Wed 28th April: Kilrush (home)
Wed 5th May: St. Breckans (away)
Wed 12th May: Liscannor/Kilfenora/Michael Cusacks/Tubber (away - take your pick on the venue!!)
Wed 19th May: Cooraclare (home)
Wed 26th May: Kilmurry Ibrickane (away)
Wed June 2nd: Ennistymon (home)

The updated under-16 division 1 fixtures are as follows:
Sat 6th March: Ennistymon (away) @ 12 noon. Ref: John Hannon
Sat 13th March: Cooraclare (home)

Miltown lose to Gaels in League 2nd round

Miltown 0-8 Shannon Gaels 3-6

Its two defeats from two games for Miltown following last Saturdays loss, at home, to Shannon Gaels. Miltown started really well and raced into a 5 points to no score lead with scores from Sean O'Connell (2), Joe Curtin, Kevin Keavey & Micheal Malone. However, mid way through the half, confusion in the Miltown full back line allowed David Neylon get a free shot on goal, which he buried. This seemed to knock the wind out of Miltowns sails and further damage was done when confusion between Conor O'Loughlin and Enda Malone allowed Brian Toner to fist the ball to an empty net, for the Gaels second goal. The Labasheeda side took full advantage of their momentum and tagged on three points from frees, before Toner got his second goal following a fine shot. Miltown added a free from Dessie Molohan to leave the half time score 3-3 to 6pts.

Miltown replaced Conor McKenna at half time with Gearoid Curtin and made a few positional changes at the back but little changed. Miltown had plenty of possession but found it hard to create chances as Shannon Gaels were happy to sit back and defend their lead. Miltown only added 2 points from Sean O'Connell and Dessie Molohan in the second half, while Shannon Gaels looked dangerous on the counter attack and added 3 points, as Miltown left gaps at the back as they chased the lead. Perhaps it would have been a different story if Miltown could have got a goal and put some pressure on the Gaels defence, who looked more comfortable as the game went on.

Miltown Team: C.O'Loughlin, D.Cleary, E.Malone, I.Sexton, C.McKenna, Gordon Kelly, E.O'Gorman, C.Lafferty (C), S.Meade, M.Malone, G.Egan, S.O'Connell, D.Molohan, K.Keavey,J.Curtin.

Subs: G.Curtin for C.McKenna, S.Malone for D.Molohan, N.Quinn for J.Curtin, E.O'Brien for I.Sexton, G.Malone for G.Egan.

Footage of 1962 County Final Miltown v Kilrush

At the link below is footage from the 1962 county senior final between Kilrush and Miltown. Some shots of the Miltown players and hopefully some of our older members will be able to make who they are.
Unfortunately Kilrush won on the day but still this rare footage is worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IZz7iT79zw

Narrow defeat in Cusack Cup opener

St Josephs Miltown senior side suffered a 0-7 to 0-6 defeat to Eire Og in the opening round of Division 1 league in Quilty this Friday night. A cold but dry night attracted a much larger attendance than normal for this time of the year as the evening throw-in proved a hit. Miltown started slowly as Eire Og kicked two early points. Miltown recovered to dominate possession but failed to translate it to the scoreboard as Eire Og lead 0-4 to 0-2 at the break. A gilt edged goal opportunity was missed when Gary Egan was adjusted to have touched the ball on the ground when a goal seemed certain. Eire Og lead 0-6 to 0-3 midway through the second half. Conor O'Loughlin came up from goal to blast over a '45 to kickstart a strong finish from Miltown. However, the lack of a cutting edge up front apart from Micheal Malone who kicked three long range points was to prove costly on the evening. Round two of the Cusack Cup takes place next weekend with a home game against Shannon Gaels. The team lined out as follows: Conor O'Loughlin (0-1), David Cleary, Enda Malone, Ian Sexton, Enda O'Gorman, Graham Kelly, Michael Hehir, Sean Meade (0-1), Cathal Lafferty, Gearoid Curtin, Niall Quinn, Micheal Malone (0-3), Joe Curtin (0-1), Kevin Keavey, Gary Egan. Subs used: Sean O'Connell & Seanie Malone

First Home Challenge Yields Win

Miltown 3-7 Ennistymon 0-12

New manager Mikey Neylon got his first home victory of the season with a win over Ennistymon on Saturday afternoon. It was definitely a game of 2 halves with Miltown making 13 changes at half time. Ennistymon started brightly and Miltown took time to get into their flow but once they did they were well in control. The Miltown goals came through Joe Curtin & Micheal Malone. David Cleary and Enda O'Gorman did well at the back. Sean Meade and Michael Barry were effective in the middle of the park and Michael Hehir, Micheal Malone and Joe Curtin looked sharp up front. Score at half time was 2-5 to 0-4 with Miltown squandering a hatfull of other chances.

In the second half a completely different team took the field, with many youngsters playing their first games at senior level. Sean O'Brien was excellent in goal, making a save from a penalty and also a fantastic save from a one on one when a goal seemed certain. Eoin O'Brien improved as the game went on and Eoin Corbett and Conor McKenna showed promise in the half back line. Gerard Malone had some good moments at midfield but tired as the game went on. Up front Tommy Flynn played well at at centre forward getting on plenty ball and covering back on numerours occassions to help out the under pressure back line. Niall Quinn took his goal nicely and would have scored more if he got the possession.

Miltown now face Eire Og in the opening round of the league on Friday night with mounting injury worries. Conor McKenna, Ian Sexton, Kevin Burke and Cathal Lafferty all suffered some form of injury on Saturday to added to the growing list. David Talty, Peter Cleary, John Meade, Brian Curtin, Eoin Curtin & Dessie Molohan are all currently sidelined.

1st Half Team: R.Healy, E.Malone, K.Burke, D.Cleary, E.O'Gorman, M.Talty, I.Sexton, M.Barry, S.Meade, M.Malone, C.Lafferty, M.Hehir, J.Curtin, K.Keavey, G.Egan. Subs: G.Malone for Lafferty and D.Murrihy for I.Sexton.

2nd Half Team: S.O'Brien, K.Shannon, S.Curtin, E.O'Brien, J.Galvin, C.McKenna, E.Corbett, G.Malone, M.Barry, J.Wilson, T.Flynn, J.Clancy, N.Quinn, K.Burke, S.Malone.

Opening fixture for u-16's

The fixtures have been announced for the opening round of the under-16 championship. Miltown will host Ennistymon at 12 noon on Saturday 6th March.

The full round of fixtures are:
Wolfetones V Doorabarefield
Kilrush V Eire Og
Cooraclare V Kilmihil
Miltown V Ennistymon

Captaining the Banner to victory

St.Josephs Miltown clubman Gordon Kelly captained the Clare senior footballers to a very encouraging 1-9 to 0-11 victory over a fancied Wicklow side in the opening round of the National Football league. Gordon and his brother Graham played key roles as Clare fought back from a seven point deficit at one stage in the second half. All involved with the Miltown club wish both Kelly's the best as Clare aim to build on today's victory in the forthcoming games.

Underage divisions for teams in 2010

The gradings have been announced for 2010 for underage football in Clare.

At under-12 level, Miltown will compete in a combined Division 1 & 2 groups which will split into Div 1 + 2 1/4 finals after a full round of group games. Miltown are in a group with:Kilmurry Ib, Kilrush, St Breckans/Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon, Cooraclare, Kilmihil, Lissycasey, & Kilfenora/Liscannor/ Ml Cusacks/Tubber.

At under-14 level, Miltown will compete in Division 2 with: Cratloe, Clondegad, Kilrush, Cooraclare, St Breckans & Kilfenora/Liscannor/ Ml Cusacks/Tubber. The top 4 teams will make the semi finals.

Miltown will compete in Division 1 at under-16 level with: Wolfetones, Doorabarefield, Eire Og, Kilrush, Cooraclare, Kilmihil & Ennistymon.
The top 4 teams will make the semi finals.

Miltown will compete in Division 2 at minor grade with: Parteen, Doonbeg, Kilrush, Corofin, Kilmihil, Kilfenora/Liscannor/ Ml Cusacks/Tubber & Kilkee.
The top 4 teams will make the semi finals.

Lotto Rota - 1st half of 2010

Tommy Byrne has taking over the co-ordination of the lotto from John O'Sullivan who has done great work for a number of years in the role.
Tommy has created the Rota for the 1st half of 2010 as outlined below. Any group leaders who are not available on their assigned week are asked to switch with a leader from a nearby week.
The Rota is as follows:
NAME Week
1 Gerry Curtin 02-Jan
2 John O Malley 09-Jan
3 Tony O Connell 16-Jan
4 Francis Lynch 23-Jan
5 Martin Curtin 30-Jan
6 Breda Keane 06-Feb
7 Michael Neylon 13-Feb
8 Enda Malone 20-Feb
9 Eoin McDonagh 27-Feb
10 Shane O Connell 06-Mar
11 Pat Keane 13-Mar
12 John O Sullivan 20-Mar
13 Maurice Reidy 27-Mar
14 Joe Talty 03-Apr
15 Tommy Byrne 10-Apr
16 Caragh Vaughan 17-Apr
17 Gary Egan 24-Apr
18 Ladies 01-May
19 Ladies 08-May
20 Ladies 15-May
21 Ladies 22-May
22 Francis Cahill 29-May
23 John Meade 05-Jun
24 Gordon Kelly 12-Jun
25 Shane Curtin 19-Jun
26 Tom Flynn 26-Jun
Half Team Leaders Willie Clancy Week
28 Half Team Leaders Willie Clancy Week

2010 Senior Management

Mikey Neylon will manage the Miltown Seniors for the upcoming season. This is the appointment most club members would have wanted to see as Mikey has a great reputation at schools level, he was also involved successfully at intercounty level with the Clare Ladies a few years back and most recently was trainer of the under 21 winning side of 2002. He commands a huge level of respect within the dressing room and hopes are high that last years work can be built on. Mikey is to be assisted by John O'Malley, last years junior manager and Martin Flynn who was manager with Mikey in the 2002 Under 21 team. Best of luck to all.

Merry Christmas & Happy new year to all

As the AGM has been wrapped up, another year has drawn to conclusion on the GAA front for St. Josephs Miltown Malbay.
The club would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way during 2009 and look forward to everyone's continued support throughout 2010.
Merry Christmas to all club members and supporters and best wishes for 2010.