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Curtin points Miltown into Cusack Cup final


CUSACK CUP

Miltown St Joseph’s 2-9
Doonbeg 1-11

FIVE points down 11 minutes from full-time, Miltown looked finished and even their most ardent supporters would have held little hope of toppling Doonbeg and qualifying for their first Cusack Cup final since 1995. The team, however, has developed a steelier edge than has been evident in recent years. Bit by bit they reeled in Doonbeg, who didn’t manage a single score in that 11-minute stretch.

Seán Meade of St Joseph’s and Colm Dillon of Doonbeg fight for possession.Gary Egan’s point reduced the deficit to four points, 1-11 to 1-7, but it was Michael Barry’s sublimely finished goal that resurrected Miltown. A minute later, the St Joseph’s full-forward fired over a classy equaliser, as belief throbbed throughout a now rampant team.
The excitement got to Miltown selector Martin Flynn, who was sent to the dugout after a run-in with referee Michael Rock. Shortly afterwards, Joe Curtin could have kicked Miltown a point up but his shot drifted wide, leaving a replay looking like a distinct possibility.
Up stepped Miltown’s best forward, however, as Eoin Curtin kicked a superb winner, thus securing a place in the Cusack Cup final against Shannon Gaels next Sunday in Kilmihil.
The teams had been level 1-3 to 0-6 at half-time, with Curtin scoring Miltown’s first-half goal after just four minutes.
Although David Tubridy kicked three inspirational points from play for Doonbeg, along with three frees and a 45’, the Miltown defence was generally solid, apart from struggling to keep the Doonbeg attacker quiet. If Doonbeg had managed to hang on and win it, they would have Tubridy to thank. As things stand now, they will have to work on a more cohesive attacking strategy, which currently is over reliant on their number 15.
None of that will concern Miltown, who have now beaten Doonbeg in successive games. In fact, had they not defeated the Magpies in the last round of the Cusack Cup, Michael Neylon’s team could have been relegated, if other results had gone against them.
They look extremely fit, well organised and their forward movement was very impressive. Eoin Curtin was Miltown’s best forward, Michael Barry played very well throughout the second half, while Joe Curtin, Kevin Keavey and substitute Micheál Malone also contributed handsomely.
At the other end, Gordon and Graham Kelly resolutely held up the centre of the Miltown defence.
David Tubridy excelled for Doonbeg, who had too many players who didn’t show when the pressure came on late in the game. It was Miltown’s day and next Sunday they will go toe to toe with Shannon Gaels in a unique final pairing.

Miltown: Conor O’Loughlin; Enda Malone, Graham Kelly, David Cleary; Enda O’Gorman, Gordon Kelly, Gearóid Curtin; Seán Meade, John Meade; Kevin Keavy, Gary Egan, Seánie Malone; Joe Curtin, Michael Barry, Eoin Curtin.
Subs: Micheál Malone for Seánie Malone, Cathal Lafferty for John Meade and David Talty for Joe Curtin.
Scorers: Eoin Curtin (1-3, 2f), Michael Barry (1-2), Kevin Keavey (0-2), Micheál Malone and Gary Egan (0-1) each.
Wides: 8

Doonbeg: Nigel Dillon; Joe Blake, Padraig Gallagher, Conor Whelan; Richie Vaughan, David Downes, Padraic Aherne; Colm Dillon, Enda Doyle; Brian Egan, Frank O’Dea, Shane O’Brien; Kevin Nugent, Shane Ryan, David Tubridy.
Subs: Conor Downes for Kevin Nugent.
Scorers: David Tubridy (0-7, 3f, 1 45), Colm Dillon (1-0), Brian Egan (0-2), Frank O’Dea and Shane Egan (0-1) each.
Referee: Michael Rock (Ennistymon).

 

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