Championship time approaching

St. Josephs Miltown senior side are continuing their preparation towards the crucial first round game against St. Josephs Doora Barefield on Saturday week June 4th in Kilmihil. John Fennell from Kilrush has taken charge for the past number of weeks as has been working hard with the squad to make up for a number of lost weeks where there was no management team in place. The team play Kilmihil in a challenge this Sunday in preparation for the game against Doora Barefield and will be hoping for no further injuries. A number of club players have represented Clare in recent weeks against Cork in Munster championship action. Gordon and Graham Kelly played at senior level. Micheal Malone represented Clare at junior level. The club was very well represented at minor level with Darragh McDonagh, Conor Cleary and Eoin Cleary all filling pivotal positions on the side.

Official Stand opening this Sunday

This Sunday May 8th 2011 is a major milestone for St. Josephs Miltown Malbay GAA club. The new 1200 seater stand will be officially opened by current GAA president Christy Cooney.
A full programme of events are planned from 12:30 on the day, with a number of juvenile exhitbitions in between the games outlined below.
12:30 Miltown ladies versus West Clare Gaels (All Ireland champions)
1:45 Miltown v Doonbeg in O'Gorman Cup fixure
3:00 Official stand opening
3:45 Clare versus Sligo senior football challenge

All are encouraged to attend as a great day's football and festivities are guaranteed.

Please see below for coverage of the opening from this week's Clare Champion.


The new 1,200-seater stand at Hennessy Memorial Park, which has been home to St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay GAA club since 1924, will be officially opened on Sunday by GAA President Christy Cooney.
Since 1998, when tonnes of sand were transported from Doonbeg and poured into the redeveloped playing pitch, the playing surface in Miltown has been one of the best in the county.
The only problem was when it rained. Players could move about on the pristine surface but the supporters had to huddle underneath available umbrellas.
“I used to cringe when I’d come down here and see fellas under umbrellas,” John Reidy, the chairman of the stand development committee in Miltown, told The Clare Champion.
“We decided we’d build a stand. Mind you, there was some opposition to it too within the club because they felt that the field would be used more by county teams,” he added.
Paddy Egan, club vice-chairman and director of Spanish Point Homes, who built the stand, says that everyone in the club were well aware that a stand was needed.
“We were always let know about it from every club. Since the pitch was done in 1998 it was always known as a very, very good pitch but people would say ‘hopefully the day will be fine if there’s a game on in Miltown.’ But at least now we have excellent covered accommodation and the pitch is still in good shape,” he commented.
The stand has been completed and the seats are in the club colours. It also includes a press box with a perfect view of the field and a new public address system.
The redevelopment work didn’t end there though. Four dressing rooms have been built under the stand, from where the teams will emerge on Sunday for the first time. The club gym will also be enlarged in the old clubhouse.
Paddy Egan estimates that voluntary labour has saved the club tens of thousands of euro in costs.
“You would be talking in excess of €50,000 I’d say if every trade had to be paid for every little thing that had to be done. Plumbing alone is costing around €18,000 so that would tell you that €50,000 wouldn’t have covered the cost of the voluntary work,” he explained.
John Reidy noted that the club has benefited from a number of grants but that the specific cost of the stand development is not yet fully known.
“We got the famous €25,000 grant from the county board and we have got money from the Munster Council but the overall cost at the moment, I couldn’t exactly tell you yet. I’d say since we started here in 1993 we’ve about €750,000 spent on this field,” he calculated.
The club also received €10,000 from the Salty Faces run last year.
St Joseph’s acquired the field 87 years ago when they leased it from the late President Hillery’s mother.
“They had no permanent residence at the time. They went around and found these two fields here on the Spanish Point road. Dr Paddy Hillery’s mother owned them. They leased the two fields for 150 years at £15 per year and rent couldn’t be raised,” John Reidy said.
What was called the Miltown Malbay Athletic Grounds hosted its first inter-county game on June 14, 1925 when Clare beat Waterford in the Munster Junior Hurling Championship and defeated the same county in the Munster Senior Football Championship. That year the club won the fifth of it’s 12 senior championship titles, beating Kilrush in Miltown on September 6.
The ownership of the field changed hands in the 1950’s when the Hillery’s sold it to local butcher Tom Hynes but the club bought it outright from his son, Michael Hynes (RIP), in 1989.
The ground was named Hennessy Memorial Park, in memory of former Miltown and Clare footballer Patrick Hennessy, on May 20, 1951. Patrick Hennessy was shot dead in Miltown by British forces on April 20, 1920.
On Sunday, GAA President Christy Cooney will open the stand at 3pm, while the Clare senior footballers will play Sligo at 3.45pm. The ball will be thrown in by former Sligo footballer Mickey Kernis. The day will also feature a Clare ladies’ division 1 league game (Miltown v West Clare Gaels) at 12.30pm and an O’Gorman Cup fixture (Miltown v Doonbeg) at 1.45pm. Go Games and underage games will also take place on Sunday afternoon.
Long term, Paddy is hopeful that Miltown will host local and inter-county matches that will attract big crowds and leave business in the town.
“It certainly seems that the grounds are geographically positioned to finally become the secondary county grounds. Local support is key in any community and that’s why it will be very important to get good-quality games here, at least to give something back to the local businesses,” the club vice-chairman concluded.

Miltown certain of ground’s status
It’s an issue that hasn’t gone away since it was broached in July 2009. When will the Clare County Board reveal who has been accorded secondary county ground status in Clare?
In The Clare Champion of April 15, Miltown delegate Noel Walsh likened the lack of information on the matter to the third secret of Fatima. The club are convinced that they have been chosen. It’s just that the county board haven’t told them yet.
Chairman of the stand development committee John Reidy said, “We were told that we were getting secondary county grounds status. There’s somebody blocking it. What the story is, I don’t know. I asked Michael O’Neill (county board chairman) about it six months ago and he told me that he’d be announcing it within two weeks and he hasn’t.”
He insists that technically, Miltown and Tulla are the secondary county grounds in Clare.
“We have a bit of a bee in our bonnet about it. Miltown had secondary county grounds status here from 1924 going up to the late 1980s. The field deteriorated but they never took it off us. It was reported that Cooraclare and Doonbeg had it but when it was investigated in Croke Park afterwards, it was discovered that Miltown and Tulla are, to this day, still the secondary county grounds in this county, officially.”
Mr Reidy detailed the manner in which representatives from outside Clare came to Miltown to examine the club’s facilities.
“John Ryan from Tipperary and another guy from Kilkenny came here one day and apparently investigated about 12 or 14 venues in the county. I met them here. They did their report within three days and they nominated Miltown. In fact, the Munster Council rang me and congratulated me saying that we were after getting the secondary county grounds,” the former Munster Council delegate added.
He believes that secondary county grounds status would help business in the area.
“A lot of business people in Miltown have supported us and given us an awful lot of money. We feel that there is an onus on us to get county grounds status to pay them back and to thank them. I don’t think that all the revenue for Munster championship games should be concentrated on the big towns in each county,” he said.
On another note, Mr Reidy feels that the Clare v Cork Munster minor football championship game on May 18 should be played in Miltown and not in Cusack Park.
“Absolutely. This pitch is as big and as capable as any other. I certainly believe that Clare would have a better chance if they played Cork here. First of all they would get a bigger crowd here in the West. I think we should be concerned about our team and not worried about other people,” he concluded.

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

Results Update

St. Josephs Miltown senior side collected their first win of the O'Gorman cup campaign with a 3-9 to 0-10 away victory over Doora Barefield on Saturday afternoon.
Their next game in the competition is at home to Doonbeg on next Saturday.
The u-16 side continued their winning run with a 4-5 to 3-3 victory at home to Shannon Gaels - Killimer.