Dillon the difference as Milltown overcome The Downs

Milltown 1-10 The Downs 0-6

Milltown ensured they will go into the final round of games knowing a semi-final place is assured after a comfortable victory over fellow top-four side, The Downs, in Seán Doolin Park, Milltown, last Thursday evening in a rematch of the county final last season.

With scores at a premium and as much injury-time minutes as points across the game due to stoppages, it made for a mediocre encounter. The Downs, missing several key players and welcoming others back, had some strong individual showings but were simply unable to cope with the trademark relentless running power of the Rathconrath side, who had Sarah Dillon to thank for 1-4 of the final tally.

Playing with the aid of a very strong breeze, Milltown set about finding scores to build a sizeable lead. It was Na Dúnta who hit the scoreboard first with midfielder, Gemma Faulkner, firing over following a long possession spell involving Megan Dowdall, Francesca Walshe, and Brittney McNamee. Milltown responded with two points in the fourth minute.

Leanne Slevin, the driving engine from midfield, was found by Nicole Feery before Slevin teed up Gráinne Byrne to fist over from distance. The first spell of stoppages for treatment came before the visitors were aggrieved they got no free when it appeared Holly Dowdall was blocked off-the-ball and Lucy Power was fouled in the next play of the move.

A fine Milltown move ended with Kate Whyte hitting the post as the attack began to flow while the defence focused on giving away little. The Downs struggled with the kickout into the ever-increasing and swirling wind. Dillon added her second and Milltown’s third on twenty minutes before chipping over two more in the next plays.

A fine pass from Orlaith Sheerin set the corner-forward up to score before Dillon took on the mantle herself, using her pace to create space to score. Francesca Walshe, playing in a more forward role than her usual midfield berth, scored from a tight angle after Faulkner did well to keep Brittney McNamee’s effort in play. It was Milltown who finished the half strong and with Byrne’s trusty left-book and Whyte’s tap over, Tom Dillon’s side went in 0-7 to 0-2 in front at the break.

The lead was out to seven points as Whyte and Dillon added further scores when the action resumed, with Kelly Boyce-Jordan and Slevin, once again, at the heart of all things going forward for the green jerseys. Substitute Beth Maguire was barely on the pitch when she pointed before McNamee added another to reduce arrears to five with twenty minutes to go.

The game became marred by stoppages and when things did get some tempo again, it was Dillon who killed off the black and amber challenge. Slick play from the very back to the front ended with the goal-getter blasting to the net after most of the team were involved in the build-up.

With the score at 1-9 to 0-4, Milltown closed the defence up as The Downs simply could not find enough direct running speed to break through, despite the best efforts of Megan Dowdall, Holly Dowdall (who had three excellent turnovers) and Lucy Power. McNamee pointed a free after Megan had been fouled on the run and with three minutes remaining, Maguire added a place-ball of her own.

Deep into a prolonged stoppage-time, Bronagh Beglan hit the last point having rounded Ciara Faulkner but under pressure despite the goal being empty.

Milltown march on while The Downs continue their quest to reach a second-successive final.

Scorers - Milltown: S Dillon 1-4, G Byrne, K Whyte 0-2 each, L Slevin, B Beglan 0-1 each.

The Downs: B McNamee, B Maguire 0-2 (1f) each, F Walshe, G Faulkner 0-1 each.

Milltown: Karen Walsh; Emma Ballesty, Aoife Kenny, Louise Kiernan; Emma Murtagh, Kelly Boyce-Jordan, Rachel Dillon; Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon; Orlaith Sheerin, Gráinne Byrne, Bronagh Beglan; Nicole Feery, Kate Whyte, Sarah Dillon. Subs used: Jilly Ballesty for Murtagh (56)

The Downs: Ciara Faulkner; Aisling Egerton, Amy Dagg, Lauren Guilfoyle; Emily McNamee, Aoife Rowan, Gillian Ferguson; Megan Dowdall, Gemma Faulkner; Annie Corcoran-McDonald, Lucy Power, Holly Dowdall; Francesca Walshe, Niamh Rowan, Brittney McNamee. Subs used: Beth Maguire for Corcoran-McDonald (36), Andrea Coleman for G Faulkner (48), Kristabella Tamosiunaite for Ferguson (59).

Referee: Jim Rock (Coralstown-Kinnegad).