Close clash expected but Leixlip get the nod over Milltown in semi-final

The second semi-final in the Tom Cross Transport Junior Football Championship sees one of the fancied sides, Leixlip, take on Milltown, who find themselves in a place few would have expected them be in.

Milltown though are there on credit and after their incredible journey of 2023, winning the junior championship, gaining promotion to intermediate this season but even greater success clinching the provincial title with that day-to-remember in Manguard Park, Hawkfield when the defeated Louth champions Glyde Rangers by five points.

It is certainly a testament to the players and indeed the management that they now fine themselves just sixty minutes plus away from lining out in an intermediate county final and what an achievement if that were to be achieved.

Leixlip, on the other hand, have been expected, not just this season but the last few seasons to make a return to the senior championship but like many a team before them have found out that when a side is demoted from senior it can take more than a year or two to get themselves back into the premier championship contest in the county.

Could this be the year Leixlip achieve that?

The boys in maroon have enjoyed a fine season to date, winning all their championship games and then defeating Ballyteague in the quarter-final.

That game was always going to be a tricky encounter for Leixlip but they came through it with flying colours.

On top throughout and while it was a late goal that finally killed off The Larks if the truth be told David Jordan's lads never really looked like they would do anything but advance to the last four.

Leixlip defeated Sallins, Rathangan and Straffan in their group and when you now see Rathangan have also made it through to the semi-final where they will take on Caragh, it just goes to prove that there was quality in depth in that Group A section.

And with Round Towers falling somewhat surprisingly to Rathangan they, Leixlip, will not certainly see that as a real opportunity to get back to where they believe and that is in the senior ranks.

Milltown of course will not be lacking in confidence and that's for sure, hitting 2-16 against St Kevin's in their quarter final, having also gong through their group undefeated with wins over Monasterevan, Nurney and Ballymore Eustace and while that group does not look as strong as the Leixlip one, nevertheless coming from where Milltown have come from over the past year they will relish this opportunity of keeping their season going right up to and including county final day.

Milltown had to withstand a late Kevin's rally when Conor Murray goaled but two superb points from Alan Dignam sealed the issue for Milltown that day.

Jack Barrett, as expected, was the main man for Leixlip in their 'quarter' hitting seven points in total, Eamonn Murphy chipped in with three points, the experienced Tommy Moolick got his usual couple of points while Ciaran Silke was their goal scorer.

Leixlip will go into this one as favourites, and in all fairness probably deservingly so but that will neither hinder or bother the boys from Milltown, who now find themselves in bonus territory but now that they are there will certainly give it their all to make it to the final in a couple of weeks time.

Still Leixlip would seem to be that bit stronger, as stated have come through a tougher path at reach this stage of The Auld Shebeen Athy Championship and it will be somewhat of a surprise if the boys from the north of the county fail to make it to the final hurdle leaving them with just one step away from returning to and regaining their much sought after senior status.