MILFORD came good in the closing stages to defeat Cloughaneely in the Northern Board Division 2 Minor Championship final in Downings this evening.
Milford 1-12 Cloughaneely 1-8
With eight minutes to go the sides were level at Milford 0-11 to Cloughaneely’s 1-8 and it was, at that stage, anyone’s game.
However, it was the team managed by Aodh McCormack who came good in the end. Connor Gormley’s free edged Milford in front before the lead was doubled when Kieran Sheridan burst from his full-back berth to point.
Then, with just four minutes left, Milford were awarded a penalty by match referee Paul Melaugh when Martin Doyle was adjudged to have been fouled and Gormley smashed the spot kick past Andrew Doohan. It was the final score of the match.
As well as finishing with endeavour, Milford started well. Within seven minutes they were 0-4 to 0-0 in front with two fine scores from Ryan McMahon for starters before a pair of Gormley efforts.
Cloughaneely took their time to get into the game and Mark Harley scored their first point on nine minutes.
In need of a shot in the arm to revitalise their hopes, Cloughaneely got it when Aaron Carton tucked home a goal on 10 minutes after Jason McGee had seized upon a loose ball and broken a couple of tackles to create the chance.
But within minutes, Milford moved into a 0-6 to 1-1 lead thanks to Ryan Flood and Adam Serrinha.
Cloughaneely levelled again thanks to two McGee scores – one from a free and another from play – as the county minor’s influence began to broaden. Milford, it was, who finished the half the stronger though, with two Gormley points either side of McMahon’s third of the half.
The half-time score was Milford 0-9 to Cloughaneely’s 1-4, with the final point of the half a beauty from Michael Fitzgerland.
Denis Doohan’s Cloughaneely signalled their intent at the very start of the second half as Milford goalkeeper Gavin McFadden had to save from Harley within 15 seconds. And when the Falcarragh-based team kicked four successive points – three from McGee and one from substitute Michéal McHugh – they were 1-8 to 0-9 up on 41 minutes.
Milford, by then, had yet to open their second half account but as it would turn out, Cloughaneely wouldn’t score again. The Moyle View Park side got back on terms through and wonderful Serrinha effort and one from Gormley, would score 1-5 in all.
Then, their insistence to keep their foot on the gas saw them shine through.
Milford: Gavin McFadden; Patrick Ferry, Kieran Sheridan (0-1), Shay Durning; Odhran Coll, Ronan Docherty, Cormac Toland; Ryan McMahon (0-3), Luke Trearty; Ryan Flood (0-1), Adam Serrinha (0-2), Conor McHugh; Connor Gormley (1-5, 1-0 pen, 3f), Martin Doyle, Gavin Grier. Subs: Ryan Toye for McHugh (52), Dane Dunworth for Flood (54), Peter Curran for Ferry (56), Paddy McCarron for Doyle (60).
Cloughaneely: Andrew Doohan; Noel Sweeney, Denis Coll, Brian Boyle; Chris Cannon, Ciaran McFadden, Michael Mulhern; Paddy Doohan, Conor Doogan; Eamon McHugh, Michael Fitzgerald (0-1), Aidan Doohan; Aaron Carton (1-0), Mark Harley (0-1, 1f), Jason McGee (0-5, 4f). Sub: Michéal McHugh (0-1) for Boyle (12).
Referee: Paul Melaugh (Letterkenny Gaels).
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