Gorman goal paves the way for Milltownpass to reach final

Milltownpass 1-10, Milltown 0-9

Momentum is a gas thing. Not long ago, Milltownpass were in trouble in the weaker group of the Intermediate Football Championship, but on Saturday they were celebrating qualification for the final following a fully deserved four-point victory over Milltown at TEG Cusack Park.

The standard was no better than mediocre at times in the first half with just three scores coming from open play: at half-time Milltown, adopting a very defensive approach, were leading by the minimum margin, 0-4 to 0-3, after a largely forgettable opening. They went two points clear early in the second half, but Milltownpass outscored them by 1-5 to 0-1 in a crucial 20-minute spell and that period of dominance set the platform for victory – the goal coming from full forward Evan Gorman, who fisted home in the 50th minute.

Milltown, playing with the aid of the breeze, took the lead in the fifth minute through a Ben McGauran free off the turf. Liam Brennan got Milltownpass’ opening point via the same route, after Noel O’Reilly earned a free when Gavin Glennon and Tony Loftus combined. Brennan later set up Evan Gorman for a left-footed point as Milltownpass took the lead for the first time, but they struggled to build on that.

McGauran was a awarded a free that he duly converted from a routine position as Milltown got back on level terms in the 12th minute: they took the lead again following good work by Conor Gibney and Conor Dillon, who combined to carve an opening for Daire Hynes and the corner forward curled over a stylish point.

Again Milltownpass responded as Evan Gorman judged the breeze nicely to curl over a free; it was all square at the end of the first quarter, 0-3 apiece, and the teams were engaging in a lot of shadow boxing, with both defences on top.

Milltownpass came close to taking the lead but Noel O’Reilly’s shot came down off the upright and in the counter attack, Jack Murtagh kicked a fine point for the Rathconrath side. They could have pressed on, but McGauran’s effort was off target, after Dillon’s shot came off the upright.

Sam Duncan’s fine fielding was one highlight of an otherwise poor contest up to now, but when Gavin Glennon set up Gorman, his wayward shot summed up the first half’s overall standard.

Into the second half and Milltown still looked strong when Hynes played a one-two with McGauran and scored a quality point, but it was not the harbinger to brighter times. Instead Sam Duncan kicked an inspirational point for Milltownpass, who drew level through Shane Corcoran. While McGauran kicked a free for Milltown, they were now being outplayed in the middle third.

A couple of Brennan frees had Milltownpass in front for the first time since the tenth minute and they could almost sense their moment had arrived. Shane Flanagan dribbled a shot across the face of goal when a three-pointer seemed on the cards, but the alarm bells were now ringing for Milltown.

Gavin Glennon’s outrageous point from 45 metres made it 0-8 to 0-6 and then came the decisive moment: again an angled delivery from Brennan caused panic in the Milltown defence and Flanagan was lurking with intent in the square. The ball broke out to the grateful Gorman, who was on hand to fist it home and Milltownpass had one foot in the final.

They didn’t quite go for the jugular and missed chances, something which may well give them food for thought in the coming weeks. Milltown got back within a goal as Wayne Smith (a low trajectory shot that was pushed over by ‘keeper Ruairí Coyne) and Nathan Creagh Dillon came off the bench to score points. But that was their last hurrah.

Brandon Kelly, who was poor by his standards, kicked a quality point to push Milltownpass four clear again in added time and while McGauran pulled one back with a pointed free, Gorman converted deep in added time to copper fasten Milltownpass’ place in the final.

They have serious improving to do if they are to finally get over the line in what is their fourth final, but David Martin’s charges are surely there with a fighting chance.

Scorers - Milltownpass: E Gorman 1-3 (0-2f), L Brennan 0-3 (3f), S Duncan, G Glennon, S Corcoran and B Kelly 0-1 each. Milltown: B McGauran 0-4 (4f), D Hynes 0-2, J Murtagh, W Smith and N Creagh Dillon 0-1 each.

Milltownpass: Ruairí Coyne; Michael McCormack, Niall Manning, Alan Farrell; Liam O’Reilly, Noel O’Reilly, Shane Flanagan; Sam Duncan, Gavin Glennon; Liam Gorman, Shane Corcoran, Tony Loftus; Liam Brennan, Evan Gorman, Brandon Kelly. Subs: David Manning for G Glennon (58), Eoghan Gallagher for S Flanagan (60+3).

Milltown: Alan Geraghty; Gary Byrne, Bernard Kiernan, Diarmuid Maguire; Conor Gibney, Sean Somers, Matthew Gunning; Jack Murtagh, Dylan Murtagh; Tommy Lynn, Sean Dillon, Conor Dillon; Jack Duncan, Ben McGauran, Daire Hynes. Subs: Wayne Smith for Gibney (49), Nathan Creagh Dillon for Lynn (52), Frank McLoughlin for D Murtagh (52), Luke Gunning for S Dillon (55), Peter Ballesty for G Byrne (55).

Ref: Alan Coyne (CFCW).

Examiner's Eye on game

Man of The Match

Noel O’Reilly (Milltownpass):

The dominant centre back arguably made the biggest impression on the day ahead of Sam Duncan, Evan Gorman and Liam Brennan each of whom impressed at different times.

Score of the match

Sam Duncan kicked an inspirational point for Milltownpass in the 36th minute, after they had fallen two points in arrears. They needed a boost at that stage.

Key moment

The Milltownpass goal, fisted home by Evan Gorman to make it 1-8 to 0-6 after 50 minutes.

Next up

Milltownpass will play St Malachy’s in the intermediate final.