Impressive Milltown advance in Leinster Club Championship
Milltown 0-15
St Mary's 0-9
Miltown's venture into the AIB Leinster Junior Football Championship saw them make the long journey south to Pearse Park, Enniscorthy to take on Wexford champions St Mary's of Rosslare. It was a successful visit for the Kildare champions as they came away with an impressive 0-15 to 0-9 victory in a display that was impressive throughout.
After overcoming Roberstown in the Kildare decider two weeks earlier Miltown made the relatively unknown trip into home of Wexford GAA and they will be delighted with a performance that sets up a quarter final trip to Kilbride of Meath in two weeks time.
On a cold crisp afternoon, conditions were ideal despite the deluge of rain over the previous few days. Miltown were aided by a stiff breeze in the opening half and after two minutes Patrick Donohue set them on their way.
St Mary's did level after five when corner forward Lee Devereux converted from a free.
St Mary's only accounted for five shots on the Miltown goal in that opening thirty minutes converting four. Ben Curran from 40 metres and Jason Ellard swapped points before the eight minute but Miltown were starting to settle into the game.
A brilliant Kevin Byrne point on nine pushed Miltown into a lead they would never lose, Byrne picking up a Conor Sheerin pass before firing over.
Sheerin added a free himself sixty seconds later and when Callum Murphy fisted over his first of half Miltown were three up as we passed the 20th minute. Jason Ellard brought a lean St Mary's spell of fifteen minutes to a close with a fine angled effort.
It didn't alter the Miltown efforts and with half time looming they added three in a row for the second time in the half.
Colin O'Shea set up brother Ronan before Ben Curran fisted over his second, this time after a brilliant fifty metre run.
Declan McKenna set up Callum Murphy for another fisted effort and as we passed the 30th minute Miltown had eased five ahead.
There was time for a late Lee Devereux free but Ian Howley's whistle saw Miltown head to the dressing rooms 0-8 to 0-4 ahead.
The restart saw St Mary's have the wind advantage and you would have expected a response from the Wexford champions.Instead Miltown started the brighter,Kevin Byrne won the throw in and he set up Aaron Jacob for a shot that drifted wide.
Miltown won the kickout and when Conor Sheerin found Ben Curran the youngster fired over from 40 metres.
The experienced Declan McKenna was the influential figure that Miltown needed over the next 12 minutes.He hit a purple patch that yielded four points out of the next five scores.
McKenna pushed Miltown six ahead after thirty three before Cian Byrne converted a free for the home side.
For the third time in the game Miltown, through Declan McKenna twice and Callum Murphy, hit three in a row to move eight up.
Both goal keepers were then called into action in a two minute spell that could have influenced the outcome. Alan Dignam and Gavin Morris making goal saving blocks when goals looked obvious.
St Mary's emptied the bench in an effort to claw their way back but with time running out and a solid Miltown defence opportunities were at a premium.
A high tackle on Sean Murphy earned Rees Broaders a controversial straight red. It wasn't in keeping in what was a sporting game throghout.
Despite points from Byrne and Devereux you always felt Miltown had done enough. Declan McKenna made the most of a Colin O Shea pass to ad his fourth of the half.
There was time for one last goal chance.An interception from Kevin Byrne saw him clear on goals but again Gavin Morris was equal to his effort with an excellent save.Alan Dignam converted the resultant 45.
St Mary's added a late Naomhan Rossiter effort but Miltown had done enough for a 0-15 to 0-9 victory.
Miltown were dominant after Kevin Byrne's ninth minute point and their solid defensive performance was the platform for a victory that secured a place in the quarter final.
With a fine mixture of youth and experience Miltown can look forward, with confidence, to the visit to Meath in two weeks.
MILLTOWN: Alan Dignam 0-1 (1 '45); Jamie Cross, Cian Buckley, Sean Murphy; Aaron Jacob, Colin O'Shea, Shane Daly; Kevin Byrne 0-1, Conor Sheerin 0-1 (1 free); Hugh Hamilton, Callum Murphy 0-3, Ben Curran 0-3; Declan McKenna 0-4, Ronan O'Shea 0-1, Patrick Donohue 0-1. Subs: Aaron Walker for Hugh Hamilton 44; Omar Dunne for Shane Daly 56; Karl Downey for Aaron Jacob 56; Sam O'Hara for Declan McKenna 59.
St Mary's Rosslare: Gavin Morris; Tadhg Hayes, Leigh Newport, Barry Quirke; Liam O'Connor, Naomhan Rossiter 0-1, Shea Boggan; Niall Walsh, Jason Ellard 0-2; Robert Butler; Rees Broaders, Cian Byrne 0-2 (1 free); Lee Devereux 0-4 (3 frees). Subs: Darragh Hayes for Jason Ellard 3; Ben Power for Tadhg Hayes 42; Conor Murphy for Barry Quirke 47; Harry Keogh for Ben Power 56; Diarmuid Roche for Niall Walsh 60.
REFEREE: Ian Howley, Dublin.