Castlemartyr hold out by narrowest of margins over Milford
Castlemartyr 1-22 Milford 3-14
This was an exciting Co Op Superstores Co IHC at Mourneabbey on Sunday. Castlemartyr started with a very youthful side that included 7 of their County Under 21 B HC winning side of last year and two more were introduced during the game.
Milford did well all through being without Eoin Dillon and Henry O’Gorman. They opened well with an early Sean O’Connell point. Cillian O’Gorman pointed a ‘65’. Barry Lawton opened with a pointed free. The East Cork side had a goal by Jack McGann. Milford half backs of Tadhg Flynn, Cillian O’Gorman and William Dillon held firm.
The Avondhu side replied immediately with an Anthony Watson goal. Mike Kelly levelled at 1-2 each. Evan Murphy had Milford’s second goal. Points by Eoin Martin, Mike Kelly and Barry Lawton levelled at 2-3 to 1-6. They were also deadlocked at 2-5 to 1-8. Brian Lawton, Mike Kelly and Sean Hennessy edged the winners 1-11 to 2-5 ahead. Milford battled back well they had points by Brian Murphy and Anthony Watson as they came 1-11 to 2-7. Both sides exchanged points with Castlemartyr ahead at the break 1-14 to 2-9.
Early in the second half they were level again after Anthony Watson and Brian Villiers had points 1-14 to 2-11. Midway through the second half Castlemartyr were 1-19 to 2-13 clear. Sean Hennessy and Mike Kelly added points as they moved five points clear 1-21 to 2-13. Impressive Anthony Watson goaled after a three man attack. Paddy O’Regan followed with a point as the game entered injury time. Milford had two wides and Jonathan Sheehan’s effort came back of the post. Castlemartyr were also wide before Declan Kelly pointed in the dying moments.
CASTLEMARTYR: D Coughlan, P Fleming, D Moran, B O’Tuama, A Bownes, C Joyce, J Lawton 0-1, J Stack 0-1, Brian Lawton 0-1, Barry Lawton 0-8 (4f, 1 ‘65’), S Hennessy 0-4, N Madden, E Martin 0-1, J McGann 1-0, M Kelly 0-5. Subs: C Martin for P Fleming, N O’Donovan for J McGann, D Kelly 0-1 for E Martin.
MILFORD: M Cremin, G O’Mahony, P Watson, R O’Gorman, T Flynn, C O’Gorman 0-2 (1 ‘65’), W Dillon, M O’Flynn, D Hayes-Daly, B Villiers 0-1, M Sheehy 0-2, S O’Connell 0-2, B Murphy 0-2, E Flynn 1-0, A Watson 2-4. Subs: J Sheehan for E O’Flynn, P O’Regan 0-1 for M O’Flynn.
REFEREE: Cathal Egan (Clyda Rovers)