Milltown make no mistake in U19 C Football Championship final
MILLTOWN’S accuracy was unaffected by difficult conditions as the core group behind last season’s U-17 C success secured another county title, overcoming Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh 2-14 to 1-9 at Tuam Stadium last Saturday.
Ten of Milltown’s 13 starters had featured in last year’s U-17 C final win over Killannin. Standout performers Aaron Feerick, Dara Costello, Dean Cunningham and Andrew Kehoe all returned, while captain Eoin Larney was rock solid in defence.
Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh, who amalgamated at underage level in 2006, reached consecutive finals after losing to Caltra last year. They were forced to manage without the injured Jeaic Ó Cualáin and PJ MacDonncha.
Beartla Ó Flatharta’s charges defeated Naomh Anna Leitir Móir 3-21 to 2-12 in the West Board final to reach this decider, while Milltown became North Board champions after defeating Kilkerrin-Clonberne 2-11 to 1-8.
Fionn Carr opened the scoring, but his side trailed thereafter. County minor Fionnan Kelly pointed before Andrew Kehoe turned over a kickout and combined with Conor O’Grady for the opening goal after four minutes. Dara Costello added two points as Milltown led 1-3 to 0-1 after 13 minutes.
Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh missed several goal chances as Aaron Feerick delivered a man-of-the-match performance between the posts. He denied Seosamh Ó Cuanaigh and Carr from close range, while Rossa Godwin also made a vital interception.
County minors in 2025, Costello and Kehoe exerted their influence, having also played senior club football this year. Costello pointed twice before assisting O’Grady, while Kehoe won possession from opposition kickouts.
Godwin, Kelly and Cunningham, scorer of nine points in last year’s minor final, raised white flags, but Eoghan Ó Coirbín, Liam MacCraith and Ryan Nash kept the Connemara side in contention. Milltown led 1-9 to 0-4 at half-time.
Carr opened the second-half scoring, with MacCraith adding a free, but an 18-minute scoreless spell proved costly for Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh.
The side managed by Michael Feerick, Anthony Coyne and Cathal Blake had already built a double-digit advantage when Kehoe scored his second goal after 50 minutes, finishing well following an excellent Costello pass to make it 2-13 to 0-6.
Cunningham (thrice), Costello and Kehoe added second-half points, while the heroics of Feerick prevented a Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh comeback in the third quarter.
Cathal Ó Mainín forced a save early in the half, and later saw another goal chance drag wide. Carr and Ó Cuanaigh each had attempts foiled by Larney and Feerick when the game still hung in the balance.
Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh eventually found the net in injury-time through Gearóid Ó Maoilchiaráin, while MacCraith and Nash added consolation points.
The scoreline was somewhat harsh on Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh, who will rue missed chances. Milltown were sharpest, however, and deserving winners.
Milltown: A Feerick; E Larney, M McHugh; L Winston, R Godwin (0-1), S Feerick; A Kehoe (2-1), F Kelly (0-2); T McDonagh, C O’Grady (0-1), D Brogan; D Cunningham (0-4, 0-1 free), D Costello (0-5, 0-1 free). Subs: D Jennings for Brogan (half-time); R Kelly for Godwin (48mins); T McLoughlin for O’Grady (51mins); T Birmingham for McDonagh (54mins); C Scanlon for Cunningham (56mins).
Cárna-Caiseal/Na Piarsaigh: C Ó Cuirrín; O Ó Flatharta, C Ó Murchú; P Ó Máille, D Nash (captain), C Ó Mainín; L Mac Craith (0-4, 0-2 frees), E Ó Coirbín (0-1); G Ó Maoilchiaráin (1-0), C Mac Donncha, R Nash (0-2); F Carr (0-2), S Ó Cuanaigh. Subs: L Ó Cualáin for Ó Cuanaigh (41); J Seoighe for D Nash (44); C Ó Duinn for Ó Máille (58); F Ó Niadh for R Nash (58); R Nash for MacCraith (inj 60+1.
Referee: Tony Keating.