MILLTOWN CASTLEMAINE

Sympathy: This past week, Milltown Castlemaine lost a great stalwart with the sad and untimely passing of former senior player, Mike Dennehy. In the late 80’s and throughout the 90’s, Mike was a lynchpin midfielder in a team that set the trend that for the present day crop of footballers. Mike saw his son Donal firmly establish himself on the Milltown Castlemaine senior team, while another of his sons, Michael, also made his senior debut earlier this season. The club extends its deepest sympathy to Mike’s wife Noreen, his sons Donal, Michael and Jack, his mother Joan, brothers Jerome and Donal, sister Mary, cousins friends and neighbours. May eternal peace and happiness be yours Mike.

We continue to remember all those, young and old, who are sick in our community and beyond. We hope that you will all return to good health in the near future. Seniors: Injury Time Scores Secure Win For Austin Stacks"

Credit Union County Senior Football League Division 2

Round 8 Milltown/Castlemaine 1-10 Austin Stacks 2-09 (Austin Stacks GAA) Venue: Paddy Burke Memorial Park, Milltown

Referee: James O’Sullivan (Firies) Milltown was the scene yesterday in Round 8 of the Credit Union County Senior Football League Division 2 as the hosts took on table toppers Austin Stacks. It seen the return of former boss Wayne Quillinan who managed the team a few years back and reached the Quarter-Finals of a County Senior Football Championship and is now back in charge of his home club Austin Stacks. Milltown/Castlemaine came into the clash on the back of an 11 point win away to Kenmare whilst Austin Stacks came into the game knowing they were already 1st on 13 points & would almost certainly guarantee one of the three promotion spots with a win in a venue that they traditionally have found tricky down the years.

A fitting tribute was paid to club stalwart Michael Dennehy prior to throw-in with a minutes silence and also a lovely few words in the match programme to commemorate and honour Mike for his work down the years both in the GAA and the local community. Milltown/Castlemaine got off to a rip-roaring start as Donal Dennehy caught the ball from throw-in and pointed fittingly from 30 yards to give the hosts an early advantage. Gavin Horan who was a menace all day to the away sides defence cut through Austin Stacks on the first occasion in the 5th minute and fed attacking half back David Roche who palmed to the net in a composed fashion.

Gavin Horan had his first point from Centre-Forward in the 11th minute after once again cutting the Stacks defence to shreds with his lightning pace. Jack McCarthy from an acute angle extended the lead out to 1-3 to 0-0 by the 14th minute with a free from 21 yards before the away side finally got on the scoreboard in the 16th minute when their outstanding forward for the day Darragh O’Brien stood up and pointed to get the away side moving. Shane Carroll who subsequently had to go off at half-time from a pointed effort from play and a brilliant goal from midfielder Greg Horan after a surging run had Austin Stacks right back in the contest by the 20th minute at 1-3 to 1-2.

Gavin Horan with another fisted effort which sailed over the posts was replied to in kind by a Darragh O’Brien free to keep matters tight.

Donal Dennehy in the 25th minute through a free from 14 yards in the corner seen the hosts climb to 2 points ahead heading towards the interval however Austin Stacks had the final say of the half as Wing-Back Pa McCarthy chipped in with a brilliant score from play to leave Milltown/Castlemaine one point ahead at half-time at 1-5 to 1-4.

The impressive Gavin McKenna and Damian Murphy in the full back line for the hosts also deserve creditable mention for numerous turnovers and interceptions all throughout the opening half. Despite having whatever wind advantage there may have been for the second half, it was the visitors Austin Stacks who emerged from the changing rooms the more energetic and determined of the two sides and tagged on the opening two points of the half to go into the lead for the first time all game by the 37th minute through a Darragh O’Brien ‘45’ and a Ferdia O’Brien pointed effort from play. The home side got off the board for the second period in the 40th minute when Paul Carroll superbly pointed and this was followed in kind by a Shane Murphy left footed effort after Killian Kerins had made the opportunity. The scores were now M/C 1-7 Austin Stacks 1-6. It was effectively two Austin Stacks defenders that turned this game on its head as firstly Jack O’Shea the full-back in the 42nd minute and then the centre-back Ciaran O’Reilly palmed to the net to hit an impressive 1-1 without reply and this also propelled the away side into a 2-7 to 1-7 lead heading into the final period of the encounter. Milltown/Castlemaine to their eternal credit however only rose to this setback and by the 58th minute had matters level again as Jonathan O’Sullivan with 2 frees and a terrific score from Pa Wren seen the sides level at 2-7 to 1-10 heading into a prolonged injury-time period due to injuries.

It was a tale of frees in injury time that turned out to be decisively important. Jamie O’Shea for the hosts had an effort which came very close from long range but unfortunately trickled wide, then Darragh O’Brien pointed two efforts for Austin Stacks in the 62nd and 65th minutes from frees to give Austin Stacks a lead of 2-09 to 1-10 and a 2 point advantage which they would ultimately hold on to. Milltown/Castlemaine lined out as follows: C Leane, G McKenna, D Murphy, S Roche, P Carroll (0-1), P Wren (Capt, 0-1), K Carroll, B Delaney, D Dennehy (0-2), D Roche (1-0), G Horan (0-2), K Kerins, J McCarthy (0-1), S Murphy (0-1), J O’Sullivan (0-2) Report courtesy of Dara O’Connor Match Programme Tribute -By (Mike Carroll-Club Secretary)

MIKE DENNEHY RIP (1964 2018) This past week Milltown/Castlemaine lost a great stalwart with the sad and untimely passing of former player Mike Dennehy. In the late 80’s and throughout the 90’s Mike was a lynchpin midfielder in a team that set the trend for the present day crop of footballers.

Mike was in his early 20’s when he made his senior debut. However his teak tough no nonsense approach saw him become established as an accomplished midfielder both at club and District level. He was an integral part of an era which saw Milltown/ Castlemaine win Div. 3 (v Currow) and Div. 2 (v Dingle) titles in successive seasons (88 & 89), which enabled them compete in Div. 1 for the first time in their history in 1990. 1989 also saw them bridge a 17 year gap by capturing the Mid Kerry championship trophy. Mike played in a county Junior and four county Intermediate finals, winning Junior in 1990 v Tarbert; Intermediate v Kenmare (1991) and An Ghaeltacht (1994), while finishing runner up in 1993 (v Waterville) and 1996 (v Dingle).

His crowning moment came in 1992, when, alongside Glenbeigh /Glencar’ s Ger O’Connor, he formed the midfield partnership that was instrumental in Mid Kerry capturing the blue riband of Kerry football, The Bishop Moynihan Cup. A County Council employee and farmer, family, the land and cycling were the greatest loves in his life. Earlier this year he attended the Kerry route section of the Ras Tailteann with his friend Sean Costello (one of the saner outings they embarked on throughout their friendship!). He also saw his son Donal firmly establish himself on the Milltown/ Castlemaine senior team, while another of his sons, Michael, also made his senior debut earlier this season. Indeed only two weeks ago he made what must have been the arduous journey to Kenmare, where he saw the team claim two valuable county league points. His driving instructions got everyone home safely! The club extends its deepest condolences to his wife Noreen, his mother Joan, his sons Donal, Michael & Jack, brothers Jerome & Donal, Sister Mary, uncles and aunts, nieces, cousins, friends & neighbours.

Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a nAinm. Public Information Meeting re Club Development: With just 4 hours to go to our Public Information Evening, all at Milltown Castlemaine are looking forward to a tremendous turnout. This is a huge milestone for your club and your community and it would be most disappointing not to be present for such an exciting moment in the history of Milltown Castlemaine GAA and the community we are so fortunate to live in. ‘Let’s come together today to make a fantastic tomorrow’

Looking forward to seeing you all later in Nagle Rice Community Centre-8.30 to 9.30.

COISTE NA NOG: Our under 14’s are at home to St. Pat’s Blennerville on Monday July 9th, in the Central Region Competition-Division 4. Game commences at 7 pm. On the same evening, our other Under 14 team are away to Castlegregory in the Division 2 section. Throw in there is also at 7 p.m.

Our under 16’s are away too St. Senans on Wednesday July 11th with a 7 p.m. start, in the Lee Strand County League-Rd. 2. Well done to all the coaches and mentors who are doing such fantastic work with all our teams. A special thanks to our Coiste Na nOg sponsors-Foleys Spar and Burkes Butchers for their very generous support. Senior County League: Our seniors-sponsored by Larkins Bar/Restaurant and Kelly’s Londis, Topshop, next outing is in the Mid Kerry League Final versus Beaufort on this Saturday, July 7th with a 7. 30 throw in. Venue TBC.

On Sunday July 15th they will have an away game to Glenflesk in Round 9 of the County League, with an afternoon start of 2 p.m.

CLUBIFY: All fixtures, results and club news are available on the App-Clubify, which you can download for free on your phone. FUNDRAISING LOTTO JACKPOT DRAW: These are the lucky recent winners in our Jackpot draw. The drawn numbers were:4,10,25 with the bonus number of 17. Congratulations one and all.

€50 each to Eileen Jones, Killorglin and Danny Sullivan, Castleisland.

€25 each to: Bart O’ Sullivan, Ballyoughtra, Eileen O’ Connor, Kilcummin, Alan McSweeney, Carrigeen and Tadgh Long, Knocknagree.

Our Jackpot is a super €20,000- with €400 for match 3. We will also have six consolation prizes on offer. Next draw is on Friday July 13th in The Shanty Bar. So head out and buy that lucky ticket. Maybe Friday the 13th could prove very lucky for you! We sincerely appreciate the continued support of our loyal and valued sellers, buyers and sponsors. Graveyard Masses: The sun shone brightly for our parish graveyard masses recently. Thank you to all those involved in the preparation for these masses and to Fr. Kevin and Conor for leading us in prayer. Happy Holidays: We wish all those on holidays a happy, safe and refreshing time.