Strong finish ensures Shamrocks’ status

Kilrush  0-12

Miltown  1-5

LONG-time servants of Kilrush senior football, Donal O’Sullivan and Peadar McMahon, came out of retirement for Sunday’s crucial Round 2 clash with Miltown St Joseph’s at Cooraclare. Their experience played a part in the team’s one-point win, a result that keeps their championship hopes alive and sees them move away from the relegation area.

Both former Clare players hadn’t played this season but they answered the call as the Shamrocks set out to secure their senior status.
“We fought hard. We had been missing that fight for the battle but it’s there this year and it was evident in the second half. At times we looked to be in trouble but the lads kept hanging in there and in the last five minutes we took over,” commented Kilrush coach, Aidan Moloney.
“You can’t beat experience. Peadar came into it seriously in the last 10 minutes. These lads [McMahon and O’Sullivan] have been around the block and they know how to close out matches. They helped steady the younger heads. They fought hard and we have something to work with,” Moloney said, “Every club is suffering for numbers,” he added.
Miltown coach James Fleming was clearly disappointed with the outcome. “I don’t know what to say. When you are two points up, you have to finish the job. We kicked three balls away in the finish and one into the goalie’s hands. You look for improvement and they are back to the same place they were last year. Where is the improvement there?” he asked.
“It’s not something I am used to,” the Kerry man continued. “I don’t know what to say. We missed too much. It has got to hurt and if it doesn’t you are going nowhere. We just weren’t good enough,” he said.
Points were exchanged three times in the opening quarter before the winners took the lead for the first time when full-back Chris Dixon came upfield to kick a good score.
Just two minutes remained in the half when Miltown struck for the game’s only goal with Brian Curtin applying the finish. The score drew a strong response from Kilrush who finished out the half with points from Conor O’Brien, Jim Young (free) and Padjoe McGrath to lead by the minimum margin at half-time, 0-7 to 1-3, after playing with the aid of the wind.
Kilrush had the opening score of the second half from a Jim Young free but Miltown looked to be taking a grip on proceedings when they hit back with points from Kevin Keavey, Eoin Curtin from a line ball and the impressive Darragh McDonagh.
Entering the final quarter, the sides were level but Eoin Curtin (free) and Kevin Keavey scored for Miltown to give them a two-point advantage.
As time moved on, it was noticeable that Kilrush were winning more possession. Jim Young cut the margin to one when he converted a 20m free before full-back Dixon again came up field and kicked the equaliser with two minutes still to play. At this stage, extra time looked likely but Kilrush had other ideas and won a 13m free in the final minute, which Young converted.
In the third minute of injury time, Miltown won a 35m free but Eoin Curtin’s effort drifted wide leaving Kilrush victorious and Miltown in a battle to avoid relegation.
Cathal Lyons, Chris Dixon and Matthew Moloney got through a lot of work for the winners, while Jim Young kicked some good scores from placed balls.
Enda Malone, Darragh McDonagh, Seanie Malone, Brian and Eoin Curtin were best for Miltown.

Kilrush: Tony Burke; Cathal Lyons, Chris Dixon, Niall Gilbride; Conor O’Brien, Matthew Moloney, John Hayes; Donal O’Sullivan, Jim Young; Ruaidhri O’Connor, Padjoe McGrath, Stephen Sweeney; Darragh Bolton, Owen Tarrant, Peadar McMahon.
Subs: David O’Shea for McGrath (36 minutes), Niall Clancy for O’Brien (40 minutes).
Scorers: Jim Young (0-5, all frees); Chris Dixon (0-2), Conor O’Brien, John Hayes, Donal O’Sullivan, Padjoe McGrath, Stephen Sweeney (0-1 each).
Frees for: 28; wides: 6; 45s: 1.
Bookings: Ruaidhri O’Connor (60 minutes).
Miltown St Joseph’s: Niall Quinn; Enda Malone, Sean Meade, Enda O’Gorman; Seanie Malone, Gordon Kelly, Michael Hehir; Darragh McDonagh, John Meade; Graham Kelly, Micheal Malone, Brian Curtin; Kevin Keavey, Eoin Curtin, Gerard Malone.
Subs: Gearóid Curtin for Hehir (half-time); Joe Curtin for Sean Meade (39 minutes), Micheál Talty for Keavey (52 minutes).
Scorers: Brian Curtin (1-1), Eoin Curtin (0-3, 1 line ball, 1 free); Kevin Keavey (0-2), Darragh McDonagh, Micheal Malone (0-1 each).
Frees for: 24; Wides: 7; 45s: 4.
Bookings: John Meade (11 minutes), Michael Hehir (27 minutes), Kevin Keavey (50 minutes). 
Referee: Michael Talty, Kilmurry-Ibrickane.