Kelly and Coyne on song for the ‘Pass

Milltownpass 3-14 St Malachy's 0-10

Milltownpass were full value for their 13-point winning margin against a weak St Malachy’s outfit in the first game of last Saturday afternoon’s Westmeath intermediate football championship double-header, played in sweltering conditions in The Downs.

In the first half, the men in white and black had the aid of a useful breeze blowing towards the clubhouse end of the resplendent ground, and they had three fine points on the board with less than seven minutes elapsed, courtesy of Gavin Glennon (after a mere 35 seconds), Brandon Kelly (a fine finish from distance), and Tony Loftus (when a goal looked briefly on the cards).

Point exchanges ensued between Morgan Gavigan and Kelly (a fabulous solo effort), and Jack Gallagher and Evan Gorman (a free), leaving Milltownpass ahead by 0-5 to 0-2 at the first water break.

In the 19th minute, a great interception by Gavin Glennon teed up Liam Brennan for his side’s first goal, neatly scored from close range. Westmeath regular Sam Duncan added a quality point, before Brennan and Kelly combined for Gorman to slap the ball to the net in the 25th minute.

Gallagher doubled his tally for Kenny McKinley’s troops, but Milltownpass added three late unanswered points from the boots of Finbar Coyne (a classy brace) and Gorman (a ‘mark') to lead by 2-9 to 0-3 at the interval.

Kelly increased his team’s advantage with a point straight from the throw-in to the second moiety. Seven minutes later, Coyne raised another white flag at the end of a patient move.

To the credit of the losers’ management, their subs improved the team and Warric Kirby pointed – when a goal was his target – in the 40th minute, before the referee sensibly opted to take an early second water break.

A beautifully-curled free from Gorman in the 45th minute put Louis Ennis’ charges 14 points to the good (2-12 to 0-4). From the resultant kick-out, Coyne kicked another lovely point.

Sub Darren Ruane and Duncan traded points, before a mini-revival from the men in black and red yielded three rapid-fire points via Kirby (a great ‘mark’), Ruane and Gavigan.

However, Milltownpass sealed the deal in style in the 54th minute when a sublime pass from Kelly picked out Coyne who coolly rounded veteran ‘keeper Alan Mangan and duly scored his side’s third goal.

A David Lynch free and another good point from Kirby were mere consolation scores for a bitterly disappointing St Malachy’s outfit.

Scorers – Milltownpass: F Coyne 1-4, E Gorman 1-3 (0-2f, 0-1m), L Brennan 1-0, B Kelly 0-3, S Duncan 0-2, T Loftus and G Glennon 0-1 each. St Malachy’s: W Kirby 0-3 (1m), M Gavigan, J Gallagher and D Ruane 0-2 each, D Lynch 0-1 (f).

Milltownpass: Ruairí Coyne; Robbie Cleary, Michael McCormack, Niall Manning; Mark Gorman, Noel O’Reilly, Tony Loftus; Sam Duncan, Gavin Glennon; David Manning, Finbar Coyne, Eoin Gallagher; Liam Brennan, Evan Gorman, Brandon Kelly. Subs used: Shane Corcoran for Gallagher (46), Darragh O’Connor for D Manning (50), Shane Flanagan for E Gorman (55), Andy Devine for Coyne (57), Conor Flanagan for Cleary (60 + 2).

St Malachy’s: Alan Mangan; Naoise McKenna, Liam Varley, Aaron Glennon; Mick Heeney, David Lynch, Conor Kane; Johnny Bermingham, Paddy Doran; Conor Murphy, Morgan Gavigan, Jack Gallagher; Conor Keegan, Niall O’Brien, Neal Kirby. Subs used: Eoin Glennon for Doran (h-t), Darren Ruane for Kirby (35), Warric Kirby for Keegan (35), Fergal O’Brien for McKenna (38), Eoin Kiernan for Heeney (45).

Ref: Shane Maher (Ballynacargy).