Breach drama sends Milltown and Suncroft to IFC final replay

Milltown and Suncroft were inseparable in this year’s National Electrical Wholesalers IFC final after late 4x3 breach drama set up a replay to decide who will lift the Hugh Campion cup in 2026.

Milltown, having trailed for most of the game, looked set to steal it at the death when a Joe Dunne two-pointer was followed by a Suncroft breach to give them a two-point lead in the 64th minute. Alan Dignam tapped over after the infringement.

The now leading side did not learn from the mistakes of their foes however and breached themselves in what was the game’s last play. Fionn Dowling stood over a free from outside the arc to ensure the draw and duly delivered to make this game 1-12 apiece at full-time. The replay has been set for Saturday, October 24 at 6:30pm.

Suncroft were undoubtedly the better team throughout this final, but in the end they needed a Milltown breach and Fionn Dowling’s steely nerves to force a second chance at glory. It’s tough to evaluate who will be more disappointed with having missed out on the title; Milltown under-performed but were seconds from success while Suncroft led throughout but couldn’t turn their showing into a win. Ultimately, both live to fight another day.

Earlier in the day, after some wides from both sides, it took an injection of quality from Eoghan Lawless to start the day’s scoring. The Suncroft forward slowed his marker before springing clear, beating two and tapping over.

Joe Dunne burst a hole in the Suncroft defence to level things but the light feet of Hugh Martin earned him space to restore his side’s early advantage with a lovely score.

It was Dunne again leading Milltown forward and he thundered over a shot from outside the arc to give his side their first lead of the game.

The Milltown midfielder's two-pointer was answered at the other end just two minutes later by the game’s first goal. A long ball in, which Chris Phillips had cut across, was fetched brilliantly by Danny Morgan and the full-back spun like an inside forward before finding the net.

Alan Dignam made his first mark on this game when he worked the ball back out for Paddy Donoghue to open his account for Milltown.

Suncroft had a lot more possession than most were anticipating in this game in the opening half and it was The Croft who led by two past the 20-minute mark when Fionn Dowling knocked over a free which he had won himself. The Croft were mightily impressive in their control of this game and they undoubtedly settled first in this county final.

A quick switch from a set-piece put Ben Curran in space to score Milltown’s fifth point and make this game 1-3 to 0-5. As they so often did early on, The Croft had an answer and it was a second Fionn Dowling free which raised their fourth white flag.

Milltown did get the half’s final score however through Kevin Byrne. The wing-back made his way forward and side-footed between the sticks off his left side, his late effort meant his side trailed Suncroft 1-4 to 0-6 at half-time of this year’s IFC final.

Suncroft undoubtedly the happier at half-time with a slender advantage and control of possession, but a lot more was expected to come from both in this highly-anticipated battle. Miltown did not look like the side the bookies were putting well past odds-on in the opening half an hour.

Eoghan Lawless, just like he had in the first, kicked off scoring with a super point from a tight angle.

It was all Suncroft in the minutes after the restart and Fionn Dowling continued his mission to lead his side to victory with an inspirational score. Dowling, being pulled and dragged, managed an effort from outside the arc off his left foot which dropped just over Omar Dunne’s crossbar.

And when Hugh Martin drove at the Milltown backline and was turned away before brother Tom fisted over, Suncroft were five clear at 1-8 to 0-6 with 37 minutes on the clock.

Alan Dignam opened his account with a close-range free after Danny Morgan dragged a Milltown attack to a halt. It was then time for Milltown’s key men to step up with Liam Kelly carrying possession down the side of Suncroft before slipping in Conor Sheerin. The Milltown midfielder cut inside and rifled the ball into the back of the net off his preferred left foot to make this a one-point game at 1-8 to 1-7.

The Croft settled themselves after that Milltown burst with a superbly worked score. The leading side were undeterred by dogged Milltown defending and worked an angle for Eoin Magee who delivered what was needed. Suncroft led by two with 10 minutes to go.

The gap was back to one when Joe Dunne picked up his fourth point of the game and that margin remained the minimum with five to go and with Milltown kicking wides at will.

Eoghan Lawless was again the man inspiring Suncroft at the top of the pitch when he took a sharp solo and go before dropping one over two minutes from time.

Conor Sheerin matched Lawless’ score with a close-range free at the other end before Joe Dunne put himself in pole position for Man of the Match when he struck a staggering two-pointer to give Milltown the lead.

It all looked to be over for the side who had led throughout this game when they breached to set up that grandstand finish, but this fixture will be played again after a 1-12 apiece draw following Dowling’s two-point free at the death.

Milltown: Joe Dunne 0-6 (2 x 2pt), Conor Sheerin 1-1 (0-1 frees), Alan Dignam 0-2 (0-2 frees), Paddy Donoghue 0-1, Ben Curran 0-1, Kevin Byrne 0-1.

Suncroft: Fionn Dowling 0-6 (0-4 frees, 1 x 2ptf, 1 x 2pt,), Danny Morgan 1-0, Eoghan Lawless 0-3, Hugh Martin 0-1, Tom Martin 0-1, Eoin Magee 0-1.

MILLTOWN: Omar Dunne; Jamie Cross, Cian Buckley, Sean Murphy; Kevin Byrne, Colin O’Shea, Liam Kelly; Joe Dunne, Conor Sheerin; Ben Curran, Alan Dignam, Hugh Hamilton; Paddy Donoghue, Ronan O’Shea, Ben Heuston. Subs: Shane Daly for Hugh Hamilton (38 minutes), Niall Finnegan for Ben Heuston (49 minutes), Sam O’Hara for Ben Curran (64 minutes).

SUNCROFT: Ciaran Troy; Jack Setright, Danny Morgan, Harry Dillon; Mikey Troy, Chris Phillips, Conor Kiely; Tom Martin, Fionn Dowling; Eoghan Lawless, Senan Brannock, Eoin Magee; Darragh Malone, Conn Kehoe, Hugh Martin. Subs: Arthur Bailey for Jack Setright (52 minutes), Mark Brown for Senan Brannock (62 minutes).

Referee: Ryan Moran