MILFORD REMAIN on course to reach Donegal football’s top tier for the first time ever after finally slamming MacCumhaills’ paws on the table at the end of a tough arm wrestle in Ballybofey.
Sean MacCumhaills 0-13 Milford 2-10
The highest peak they’ve scaled before now was when Milford played in Division 2 in 1993.
This year marks their first return to Division 2 since, but they sit at its summit with just five games remaining and look to have the bit firmly between their teeth.
Picture caption: Steven O’Reilly of Sean MacCumhaills in action against PJ Hagan of Milford. Picture by Chris Doherty.
This afternoon, Danny O’Donnell’s men eked past MacCumhaills thanks to a late goal by Jonny Logue and an early one by Kyle Black.
After a bright start, Milford wilted a little, but came with a late response just when it seemed as if the hosts had done enough for a share of the spoils.
[adrotate group=”68″]Instead, Milford worked a chance from left to right and, with a posse of MacCumhaills bodies closing in, Logue tucked home with the aid of a defender.
Seven minutes of added time were played and MacCumhaills had previously spurned chances to go in front having drawn level three times in a lively second half.
The opening goal came in the third minute when, after a sweeping move, Joey Cullen fed Kyle Black and he delicately slipped his shot low beyond Chris Patton.
By the 13th minute, Milford were 1-3 to no score in front.
Spurred by that early Black goal, the Moyle View men rattled off three excellent points.
Cathal McGettigan nailed a splendid free from the left-hand side before Gary Merritt landed a beauty from distance and Pauric Curley converted to put six between them.
MacCumhaills were denied a goal in the early moments when Caolan McGettigan saved well from Steven O’Reilly, who found himself in on goal.
Pauric Patton registered MacCumhaills’ first score on 15 minutes and the home side finished well in the first half, narrowing the margin to just two points by the changeover.
Darragh Black and Kyle Black clipped the only two Milford points for the remainder of part one after their blistering start.
By contrast, MacCumhaills warmed to the task.
[adrotate group=”37″]It took a fine intervention by Paddy Peoples to thwart the advances of Patton and quickfire points by Darren O’Leary and Stephen Mulligan got them kickstarted.
Ronan McMenamin belied the number 4 on his back with a magnificent score and O’Leary drilled over a ’45.
Patton fisted over from Adam Lynch’s deliver and MacCumhaills were back within touching distance as they headed down the tunnel at the break.
O’Leary narrowed the gap again just 11 seconds after the resumption and they drew level for the first time when Mulligan made light of the angles to soar a free, from the sideline on the 20-metre lin, over the black spot.
[adrotate group=”46″]The Milford response was instant and a brace by Cathal McGettigan restored the lead.
The two-point cushion was wiped out by points from James Lynch and O’Leary and there were times when the home side appeared likely winners.
Christopher Barrett’s inspired score and a free from McGettigan settled the Milford jitters, but MacCumhaills weren’t done.
[adrotate group=”70″]Referee Enda McFeely over-ruled an umpire to, correctly, award a point to O’Leary, who wonderfully turned a shot just inside the near upright and Mulligan, with an effort that looked to have drifted wide, drew MacCumhaills level again.
When these teams clashed at Moyle View Park, Cullen broke MacCumhaills with a last-gasp goal.
It was a case of déjà vu for Damian Devaney’s crew when – after Patton had saved from Gary Merritt – Logue rattled home to keep Milford in dreamland and on the road to Division 1.
[adrotate group=”43″]Sean MacCumhaills: Chris Patton; Gerard Grindle, Conor Griffin, Ronan McMenamin (0-1); Gary Wilson, John Lynch, Joe Dunnion; Steven O’Reilly, James Lynch (0-1); Pauric Patton (0-2), Aaron Kelly, Adam Lynch; Stephen Mulligan (0-3, 2f), Darren O’Leary (0-6, 1f, 1 ’45), Gary Dunnion. Sub: Michael Lynch for Patton (55).
Milford: Caolan McGettigan; Barry McNulty, Sean Black, Gavin Grier; Gary Merritt (0-1), Paddy Peoples, TJ Evesson; Anthony Fisher, Joey Cullen; Cathal McGettigan (0-4, 3f), Pauric Curley (0-1), Jonny Logue (1-0); Kyle Black (1-1), Christopher Barrett (0-2), Darragh Black (0-1). Subs: PJ Hagan for Grier (42), Kieran Sheridan for McNulty (50), Brandon Toye for Evesson (60).
Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s, Convoy).
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