‘You have no idea what it means really... it’s mainly about relief’ – Milford boss
Milford 1-12 Kilbrittain 0-14
AFTER what will ultimately be a season to forget for Milford hurling the men in blue and white saved their year at the 11thhour with a hard fought win over Kilbrittain last weekend.
In terrible conditions for hurling the boys in blue made the most of a positive start to lead this one from the ninth minute to home but the win was never quite assured. Led on the pitch by their talisman Eoin Dillon, the north Cork side had to fight hard to take the spoils sending Kilbrittain into a three way playoff to decide who goes down come season’s end.
Brian Murphy, Michael O’Flynn and Jonathon Sheehan all made impacts on the scoreboard, but it was Dillon’s tally of nine that ultimately sealed the deal and secured their status as an IHC team for yet another year.
Milford head tactician Seán O’Gorman was delighted with the way things panned out for his side after a difficult campaign to this point.
“You have no idea what it means really. It isn’t just about getting the win - it is mainly about relief. In fairness to our lads the championship this year has been very spread out. We played May bank holiday then again on the August bank holiday and this is nearly the first of October and it is very difficult to keep lads going over that time.
“We don’t have a big squad or a big panel and we have lads here there and everywhere and that is difficult but the lads have put in everything all season and you couldn’t ask for more.”
The win is Milford’s first championship success of the season and it couldn’t have come soon enough for O’Gorman.
“Unfortunately we had two bad results and then on top of that we had a few injuries but to be fair to them all they all fought like Tigers today and I am really proud of them – they kept the blue flying and that is the most important thing for us.
“I know it is tough on Kilbrittain, both of us would like to be where Cloughduv and Sars are in the next game [the semi-final), but at the same time this was always going to be a tough battle and we are really just relieved.”
From the opening exchanges there was no doubt that this one was going to be a competitive test for both sides as the conditions were not making things conducive to expansive hurling. Kilbrittain were first to trouble the scoreboard with a free from Maurice Sexton before Milford levelled things up with a free from Dillon (his first of five opening half scores).
Just four points to one after 23 minutes showed that both Milford and the conditions were winning, but Kilbrittain would get a better foothold in the game from there to the break with four of the next five six scores to go in down just one at the interval. Sexton (brace) with points from Morgan Madden and Thomas Harrington had Kilbrittain back in the hunt (0-6 to 0-5) at the break.
From the second half throw-in Dillon landed a long ball on top of first half sub Jonathon Sheehan and after a goal mouth scramble the big number 19 scrambled the ball home for the game’s only goal.
To their credit, Kilbrittain stuck to the task and managed to stay in touch with six second half points from Sexton (all frees) along with a contribution from Declan Harrington but despite looking the more likely to win this one in the last quarter ultimately it was Milford that would win the day.
Milford will learn lots from this season and with a few returning from injuries and a fresh injection of interest next season all at the club will be looking to mount a credible title challenge. MILFORD: A O’Gorman; D Hayes Daly, P Watson, R O’Gorman; S Whelan, C O’Gorman, T O’Flynn; G O’Mahony, M Sheehy; B Villers, E Dillon 0-9 (7f, 1.65), C O’Flynn; M O’Flynn 0-1, P O’Regan, B Murphy 0-2 (1f) Subs: J Sheehan 1-0 for P O’Regan (26), P O’Regan for E Dillon (bs) (31) reversed ht, E O’Gorman for D Hayes Daly (57)
KILBRITTAIN: E Galvin; J Hurley, S Dewey, D Desmond; I Burke, R Cashman 0-1f, P Brennan; T Sheehan, N O’Donovan; P Wall, M Sexton 0-9f, M Madden 0-1; T Harrington 0-1, C O’Leary, D Harrington 0-2 Subs: S Shortan for M Madden (42), A Hayes for C O’Leary (44), M Hickey for D Harrington (47)(bs) reversed (49)
REFEREE: G Aherne (Cloughduv)