Milltown fall just short against Leinster champs

Kilmacud Crokes 2-7, Milltown 0-11

It was a case of so close yet so far for Westmeath senior champions, Milltown, who pushed the reigning Dublin and Leinster side, Kilmacud Crokes, right to the wire under the clouds in Rathconrath last Sunday afternoon.

In a game played in tricky conditions, the early efforts were more about keeping on your feet as opposed to firing over scores – the horse-racing world might describe the going as very soft. Both sides made a change from the original lineup with Gráinne Byrne in for Kate Whyte for the home side as Julia Buckley (goalscorer against Dunshaughlin) came in for Amy Conroy.

The odds-on favourites found the early going tough, mainly due to the slick handpassing of Tom Dillon’s troops. That teamwork yielded the opening score from Sarah Dillon before the dynamic Éabha Rutledge levelled moments later.

Strong pressure and direct play were bringing results for the green army and by the eight minute they were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead thanks to two Leanne Slevin frees.

A stunning save from Milltown netminder Karen Walsh went unrewarded as referee Barry Redmond gave a penalty for a foul in the buildup. Niamh Cotter slotted home and the purple and gold were 1-1 to 0-3 in front.

Tussles aplenty across the field were evident, with the fearless Kelly Boyce-Jordan proving her worth against Michelle Davoren (one of several All-Ireland medallists playing for Kilmacud) and holding her to one late score.

With Milltown defending in numbers, Paddy O’Donoghue pushed his side forward in response as wing-backs Sinéad O’Donoghue and Kate Murray were regulars in attack. Luck was not with the home side, however, as a looping shot from Ailbhe Davoren evaded Walsh in the goals and Kilmacud were 2-1 to 0-3 ahead.

Scores followed for Buckley and Rutledge before Milltown had their own purple patch, firing three in the final moments of the half from Sarah Dillon and Slevin. It ended 2-3 to 0-6 at the break and all to play for.

The tempo went up a notch in the second period as the home faithful realised the potential victory was there. Crokes's discipline was in question also and O’Donoghue saw yellow not long after two teammates had been penalised for dissenting remarks. Slevin (free) and Cotter traded scores in a tense period.

With eleven to go, Sinéad Boyce saw her effort smothered by Rachael Fleming in the Crokes goal. With tails up, they pushed on, with Emma Murtagh adding great acceleration to the forward pressing. When Boyce-Jordan was fouled and Dillon tapped over the free, there were just two points in it at 2-5 to 0-9.

Crokes, to their credit, found the key scores when needed through Michelle Davoren and Mia Jennings as the Milltown dream looked to be fading with time almost up. To their credit, the green jerseys fought to the end and found scores through their two sharp-shooters Dillon and Slevin. Crokes moved Rutledge out to play keep-ball and despite throwing the kitchen sink at them, Milltown could not find that crucial goal. A cruel end but heads held high for the Rathconrath side as they do their county proud once again.

Scorers: Kilmacud Crokes: N Cotter 1-1 (1-0 pen), A Davoren 1-0, E Rutledge 0-3 (0-1 free), J Buckley, M Davoren, M Jennings 0-1 each. Milltown: L Slevin 0-6 frees, S Dillon 0-5 (0-2 frees).

Kilmacud Crokes: Rachael Fleming; Philippa Greene, Emer Sweeney, Ciara Regan; Aoife Kane, Kate Murray, Niamh Carr; Lauren Magee, Grace Kós; Niamh Cotter, Ailbhe Davoren, Mia Jennings; Julia Buckely, Michelle Davoren, Éabha Rutledge. Subs Used: Cassie Sultan for Buckley (45), Amy Conroy for A Davoren (45)

Milltown: Karen Walsh; Emma Ballesty, Kelly Boyce-Jordan, Aoife Kearney; Emma Murtagh, Laura Kiernan, Rachel Dillon; Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon; Bronagh Beglan, Gráinne Byrne, Orlaith Sheerin; Clodagh Dillon, Sinéad Boyce, Sarah Dillon. Subs Used: Kate Whyte for Beglan (half-time)

Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Player of the Match

Leanne Slevin (Milltown): Both sides had contenders. Éabha Rutledge and Niamh Cotter were key for the Dublin side, while Milltown can look back on solid performances from back to front. However, Leanne Slevin, although on the losing side, continues to be the unstoppable force in the middle.

Score of the Match

Sarah Dillon’s point in the 58th minute was sublime. Head down, evading tackles, shooting from distance under pressure. One of the standout forwards in the country once again in 2023

What It Means

A date against 2019 All-Ireland Intermediate champions, Naomh Ciarán of Offaly, for Kilmacud. Milltown will return in 2024 aiming for a four-in-a-row in Westmeath