Milltown 2-9

An Spidéal 0-8

Pádraic Ó Ciardha at Kenny Park

A tally of 1-4 from Michael Martin helped Milltown pick up an important win over An Spidéal in this Group A clash in Kenny Park on Saturday evening. A late goal from Eoin Mannion wrapped up the win for the North Galway side, but it was Martin’s 20th minute penalty that was probably the game’s crucial score as Milltown made it two wins from two in this year’s championship.

While Martin and Mannion, who finished with 1-1, might get the plaudits from a scoring point of view, it was a solid team performance from Milltown who were thoroughly deserving of the win. The hard work and strong running of the likes of Jack Kirrane, Michael McWalter, Liam Costello, and Ciarán, and Seán and Cathal Blake all contributed heavily in turning the tie in their side’s favour on a day when a strong breeze made scores hard to come by.

Having suffered a heavy defeat to Maigh Cuilinn in the opening round, An Spidéal would have eyed this one as an opportunity to get the championship campaign up-and-running. The sides were well-matched in the opening half with the Conamara side perhaps edging things with some lovely scores from the likes of Liam Ó Conghaile, Antaine Ó Laoi and Seán Ó Curraoin.

However, that penalty for Milltown midway through the half meant that An Spidéal were never able to get ahead despite the advantage of the breeze. When facing into the elements in the second-half, those long-range scores dried up – they kicked just two points after the break – and with them went their chance of a win.

It was Milltown who made much the brighter start, despite attacking the dressing-room end where the wind was blowing from in the first-half. Michael Martin got them on the board after two minutes after a miscue on the An Spidéal kickout, before he doubled his tally five minutes later when Liam Costello was fouled.

Pictured: Milltown’s Michael McWalter looks to pick-out John Martin withj a hand-pass as Ciarán Ó Laoi  and Seán Ó Curraoin of An Spidéal close-in in Kenny Park last weekend. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.