THERE MIGHTN’T BE a cow milked in Milford for a few days following their third promotion in just four years, which means they’ll be in Division 1 in 2017.
Glenfin 2-9 Milford 1-15
The side managed by Danny O’Donnell made sure of their alleviated status for next year – their first time ever in the top flight – with a three-point win at Glenfin. Hard to believe that as recently as 2013 they were the Division 4 team.
The visitors were 0-7 to 0-6 up at the interval before goal from Kyle Black seven minutes from time put them in control.
[adrotate group=”38″]Glenfin pressed and presses and a Stephen Ward goal at the bitter end put them back to within one kick, but Milford held on to continue what has to be termed – in the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League Division 2 at least – a dream campaign.
It was the home side who started with three successive points – Ciaran Foy, Gerard Ward and Stephen Ward on the mark. Following that first score, though, Glenfin had goalkeeper Liam O’Meara to thank for making a top-class save from Milford’s Joey Cullen.
The visitors’ got their first score on the board on 13 minutes through a David Curley free but at the other end, Paddy O’Connor restored the three-point Glenfin lead.
Curley added a second, a fine effort when he sidestepped two defenders before Cathal McGettigan opened this account for the evening.
[adrotate group=”37″]Again, however, Glenfin found the score as Milford were sneaking up when Gerard Ward concluded a flowing move that had involved five players.
McGettigan was on the money again for Milford soon afterwards, but Glenfin might’ve had a goal through Ciaran Foy on 26 minutes. A point had to do and that put Glenfin 0-6 to 0-4 in front.
But it was to be Milford who would go in at half-time in front, courtesy of three excellent scores – one from TJ Evesson and then two from Christopher Barrett. So, 0-8 to 0-7 it was.
Milford extended the lead out to two when McGettigan opened the second half’s scoring and they almost scored the first goal of the evening then soon after, Kyle Black seeing O’Meara deflect his effort onto the post on 33 minutes.
O’Connor’s point for Glenfin did stem the tide somewhat, only for Milford to go into a 0-10 to 0-7 advantage, when Barrett scored his third and Johnny Logue also split the posts.
A similar pattern ensured minutes later. A Glenfin point from Gerard Ward was merely a prelude to two more Milford points – with Barrett and McGettigan this time waving the white flag.
Ten minutes from time, Foy managed to shoot past Caolan McGettigan in the Milford goal after approach play from Patrick McGrath.
Black’s goal on 53 minutes came courtesy of a punch as Gavin Grier’s long ball in was dropping short. Milford were soon 1-13 to 1-8 ahead when Pauric Curley popped over after some great defending by Barry McNulty.
[adrotate group=”82″]Gerard Ward did manage to pull one back but two late points from Cathal McGettigan put Milford six up. As mentioned, Stephen Ward’s goal did make for a slightly uncomfortable finish but it wasn’t to prevent Milford from reaching their Promised Land.
Glenfin: Liam O’Meara; Martin O’Donnell, Gary Herron, Kyle Doherty; Dean Herron, Frank McGlynn, Stephen McGlynn; Stephen Ward (1-1), Patrick McGrath; Daniel McGlynn, Paddy O’Connor (0-2, 1f), Jason Morrow; Kevin McGlynn, Gerard Ward (0-4, 2f), Ciaran Foy (1-2). Subs: David Carr and Jason Marley for Herron and K McGlynn (45), Ethan McGlynn for G Ward (58).
Milford: Coalan McGettigan; Gavin Grier, Barry McNulty, TJ Evesson (0-1); Gary Merritt, Patrick Peoples, Johnny Logue (0-1); Joey Cullen, Sean Black; Christopher Barrett (0-4), Pauric Curley (0-2, 1f), Cathal McGettigan (0-6, 3f, 45); David Curley, Darragh Black, PJ Hagan. Subs: Kyle Black (1-0) for D Black (half-time),Conor McNulty for S Black (40), S Black for Grier (54), Kieran Sheridan for Merritt (black card, 59), Enda McHugh for Evesson (60).
Referee: Paddy McGonagle (Buncrana).
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