When Kane Barrett’s goal in the 33rd minute was followed quickly by points by himself, Pauric Curley and Chris Barrett to give Milford a 10 point lead this game looked over as a contest.
Milford 3-9 Four Masters 0-16
However to their credit the visitors rallied to hold Milford scoreless for the remainder of the game while kicking eight unanswered themselves to leave just two between them at the finish.
The opening twenty minutes were evenly contested, Tony McNamee’s goal in the 13th minute the key score during that period when he followed up after his first effort was brilliantly saved by keeper Ryan Haughey.
The teams had shared six points up to that stage, Mc Namee, Chris Barrett and T J Evesson for Milford, with Sean Meehan, Thomas McGowan and Sean O’Kennedy replying for Masters.
Meehan got his second to leave two in it but Darragh Black replied to leave it 1-4 to 0-4. Back came the visitors again with points by Leo McHugh and O’Kennedy to narrow the gap to just one but a minute later Milford broke quickly from defence and Evesson and McNamee combined well to set up David Curley who hammered to the roof of the net.
Evesson kicked another point as did Kane Barrett while O’ Kennedy replied to leave the half-time score 2-06 to 0-7 in Milford’s favour. The second-half started with a goal chance for Four Masters, Emmet Duggan’burst through but Caolan Mc Gettigan denied him with a brilliant save and an almighty scramble ensued but somehow the ball, was kept from crossing the line, a big let-off for Milford.
Thomas Mc Gowan kicked over a free for the visitors bit then came that scoring burst of 1-03 for the home team, starting with Kane Barrett’s goal to leave ten between them and game over we thought.
But Four Masters had other ideas and dominated the remainder of the game scoring it’s final eight points. Big midfielder Kevin McBrearty kicked three, Thomas Mc Gowan got two, and Leo McHugh, O’Kennedy and Emmet Doogan got one apiece.
They also had another goal chance when McHugh and sub Barry Monaghan combined but again the home defence stood strong and McHugh’s effort from close range was blocked to ensure a narrow, hard earned but vital victory for Milford.
The result moves Danny O Donnell’s side closer to Division One safety but makes Four Masters chances of survival very difficult.
Milford: Caolan McGettigan’ Kieran Shierdan, Barry McNulty, Brandon Wilkie; David Curley ( 1-0 ), Johnny Logue, TJ Evesson ( 0-2 ); Ryan McMahon, Luke Barrett; James Doyle, Pauric Curley ( 0-1 ), Christopher Barrett ( 0-2 )’ Darragh Black (0-1), Luke Barrett ( 1-2 ), Tony Mc Namee (1-1. 1f ). Subs: Sean Black for Doyle (half-time), Gavin Grier for Wilkie (60).
Four Masters: Ryan Haughey; Enda Bonner, Aaron McGrea, Josh Lacey; Sean O Kennedy (0-4), Dylan Kennedy, Caolan Loughrey; Leo McHugh (0-2), Kevin McBrearty (0-3 1f ); Shaun Meehan (0-2), Darren Doherty, Emmet Doogan (0-1); Thomas McGowan (0-4 3f ), Patrick Reid, Barry Dunnion. Sub: Barry Monaghan for Mc Gowan (50, black card ).
Referee: Shaun McLaughlin (Malin).
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