Goal-crazy Milltown secure emphatic first round victory
Milltown 6-12 St Joseph's 2-8
A stunning 4-1 from Sarah ‘Scut’ Dillon tells only some of the story as Milltown got their championship title defence off to a strong start against newcomers St Joseph’s, on a fine evening in Streamstown last Thursday
The fight for the Jack Lyster Memorial Cup began with last year's intermediate winners, St Joseph’s, facing reigning champions for the third time in succession, Milltown. The youthful Streamstown side proved the surprise package last season having only come up from junior the year previous but a stunning extra-time win over Coralstown/Kinnegad propelled them to new heights.
Tom Dillon’s kingpins went in without the services of player-of-the-match in the final last year, Laura Kiernan, but looked no less imperious.
A high-scoring encounter from the off as both sides scored inside a minute. Firstly, Aoife Keegan (who had a fine display) pointed for the home side before Sarah Dillon found the net for her first.
Gráinne Byrne and Sinéad Robbins exchanged scores but it was clear the trademark Milltown running game was going to cause issues for Joseph’s. Leanne Slevin capped one of many team moves with a point before Emma Murtagh’s intercept eventually saw Caoimhe Donohue find the net. It was 2-2 to 0-2 inside twelve fast-paced minutes.
With plenty of physicality already on show, Joseph’s were reduced to 14 players when Niamh Kearney saw red – both metaphorically and from the notebook of Ken Daly. Moments later, her sister Síle, was forced off injured in a double blow.
Milltown went on a run of four scores to one before the break with three of those coming in near-identical circumstances from the left boot of Byrne. With only Karen Keegan’s fine reply to show, Milltown went in 2-6 to 0-3 in front.
The contest ended a mere 90 seconds after the restart as two well-drilled team moves ended with green flags for both Orlaith Sheerin and 'Scut' again. A minor purple-patch for the green and gold saw points for Karen Keegan (should have been a goal), substitute Laura Conlon, and a free from Sinéad Robbins.
The score of the game followed from Byrne after a spectacular passing move, involving several players, ended with her pointing; Murtagh, Tracey Dillon and Kate Whyte were all involved. Despite being down in many ways, Joseph’s replied through a Caoilinn Elliffe goal. Milltown continued to break down the doors and two more Dillon goals along with Slevin (2), Clodagh Dillon, and Rachel Dillon added to the scoreboard.
The consolation for Brendan Nannery’s side came via the penalty spot when Síle Kearney was fouled and Sinéad Robbins found the net, despite the best efforts of Karen Walsh. Milltown were able to afford the luxury of giving game-time to future stars, including U16 player Elle Scally.
A comprehensive win for Milltown. Lessons to take for Joseph’s in what will surely be a fascinating senior championship overall.
Scorers - Milltown: S Dillon 4-1 (0-1f), G Byrne 0-5, L Slevin 0-4 (2f), O Sheerin, C Donohue 1-0 each, R Dillon, C Dillon 0-1 each. St Joseph’s: S Robbins 1-3 (1-0pen, 1f), C Elliffe 1-0, K Keegan 0-2, C McCormack, A Keegan, L Conlon 0-1 each.
Milltown: Karen Walsh; Louise Kiernan, Aoife Kenny, Jilly Ballesty; Emma Murtagh, Kelly Boyce-Jordan, Rachel Dillon; Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon; Orlaith Sheerin, Gráinne Byrne, Caoimhe Donohue; Clodagh Dillon, Kate Whyte, Sarah Dillon. Subs used: Katie Somers for Whyte (43), Katie Flanagan for S Dillon (53), Elle Scally for Donohue (54).
St Joseph’s: Emer Killian; Jennifer Barrett, Orla Robbins, Ellie Conway; Joyce Conway, Roisín Killian, Kayla McDonnell; Aoife Keegan, Claire Conlon; Lauryn McDonnell, Sinéad Robbins, Niamh Kearney; Síle Kearney, Karen Keegan, Keelin Robbins. Subs used: Laura Conlon for S Kearney (inj., 14), Caoilinn Elliffe for L McDonnell (HT), Síle Kearney for K Robbins (42), Clíona McCormack for K McDonnell (44), Molly Russell for R Killian (48), Lauryn McDonnell for K Keegan (60+1).
Referee: Ken Daly (Loughnavalley).