Milltown win IFC final replay by a single point in a cracking game
A brilliant game as Milltown finally get over Suncroft after a brilliant IFC decider
Another brilliant game of football in the National Electrical Wholesalers IFC final (replay) at Cedral St Conlet’s Park, Newbridge, this evening and in the end it was Milltown who squeezed over the line by a single point.
Suncroft had an opportunity to win it at the death when Fionn Dowling had a chance of a two-pointer free, he converted one a week ago to draw it but this time his effort drifted just right and wide.
Milltown won on a final score line of 2-10 to 1-12 for the first time since 1972.
What a start to this one with Alan Dignam firing over a two-pointer inside the opening minute and before we reached the second Suncroft responded with a great goal courtesy of Eoing Magee after a great run by Eoghan Lawless and when Hugh Martin added a point The Croft led 1-1 to 0-2.
A lot of personal battles were going on before Conor Sheerin converted a free for Milltown and we had to wait until the 14 minute before Ben Curran pointed for Milltown.
Colin O’Shea then picked up a black card for a pull down on Eoghan Lawless.
Suncroft regained the lead on 22 through Fionn Dowling from a tight angle.
Back came Milltown with a brilliant two-pointer from the boot of Kevin Byrne to make it 0-6 to 1-2 in favour of Suncroft.
It was certainly end-to-end stuff and it was Fionn Dowling who leveled it up and then a few minutes later a Fionn Dowling free on the arc, exactly from the same position he leveled last week and he made no mistake again with another splendid kick to leave it 1-5 to 0-6.
Before the break Milltown responded with Alan Alan Dignam point as we reached the break with Suncroft leading 1-5 to 0-7.
Hugh Martin pointed for Suncroft on the resumption before Colin O’Sheagot forward to find the net and take a one point lead.
That man Fionn Dowling replied with his second two-pointer to regain the lead on 43.
Back came Milltown again and a ball in by Kevin Byrne saw Paddy Donoghue get the vital touch to find the net and open a two point lead.
Again Suncroft responded with an Eoin Magee point but Paddy Donoghue replied with a point and Magee did likewise to make it Milltown 2-8 Suncroft 1-10 on 52 minutes.
Ben Curran and a conor Sheerin free extended the lead to three on 57 minutes.
Suncroft however came storming back with points from Fionn Dowling (free) and a second from the big man to leave one in it.
Time just up and The Croft had that last gasp chance but it drifted right as the final whistle arrived Milltown winning 2-10 to 1-12.
Scorers, Milltown: Paddy Donoghue 1-1, Colin O’Shea 1-0, Alan Dignam 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Kevin Byrne 0-2 (two-pointer), Conor Sheerin 0-2 (2 frees), Ben Curran 0-2.
Suncroft: Fionn Dowling 0-8 (1 two-pointer free, 1 two-pointer, 3 frees), Eoin Magee 1-2, Hugh Martin 0-2.
MILLTOWN: Omar Dunne; Jamie Cross, Cian Buckley, Sean Murphy; Kevin Byrne, Colin O’Shea, Liam Kelly; Joe Dunne, Conor Sheerin; Ben Curran, Alan Dignam, Hugh Hamilton; Paddy Donoghue, Ronan O’Shea, Niall Finnegan. Subs: Shane Daly for Hugh Martin (28 minutes); Ben Heuston for Niall Finnegan (43 minutes);
SUNCROFT: Ciaran Troy; Jack Setright, Danny Morgan, Harry Dillon; Mikey Troy, Chris Philips cpt., Conor Kiely; Tom Martin, Fionn Dowling; Eoghan Lawless, Senan Brannock, Eoin Magee; Darragh Malone, Conn Kehoe, Hugh Martin. Subs: Sean Troy for Mikey Troy (ts sub 20-24 minute); Arthur Bailey for Jack Setright (46 minutes); Adam Talbot for Senan Brannock (51 minutes); Mark Brown for Tom Martin (52 minutes); Sean Troy for Mikey Troy (59 minutes); Sam Murphy for Darragh Malone (59 minutes);
REFEREE: Damien Whelan.