Brennan goal ensures first victory for Milltownpass

Milltownpass 1-10, Multyfarnham 1-9

Damien Maher

Milltownpass got their Intermediate Football Championship campaign up and running with this narrow victory over Multyfarnham, at Páirc Mhaolbhuí, The Downs on Sunday.

In wet, greasy conditions, an unanswered 0-7 from a spirited Milltownpass side between the 18th and 36th minutes was crucial to the outcome. Multyfarnham started more impressively with 1-2 in the opening 10 minutes, but they endured a ropey period thereafter and when centre back Cian Lee was dismissed on a black card after 43 minutes (following a foul on Alan Farrell), they faced a considerable challenge.

In a frantic finish, Multyfarnham got three of the last four scores, but a superb cross-field ball by Gavin Glennon set up Liam Brennan for what proved the match winning point in added time. However, that came after ‘keeper Ruairí Coyne produced a fine save to deny Ronan Wallace a goal in the 58th minute - an intervention that has effectively kept Milltownpass’ championship campaign alive.

At half-time it was all square, 1-2 to 0-5, after a wonderful goal by the impressive Ronan Wallace for Multyfarnham in the third minute: the Westmeath star surged forward and exchanged passes with Cian Lee before giving Coyne no chance with a powerful finish. When Wallace converted a free off the turf from over 45 metres, Multyfarnham were leading by 1-2 to 0-1 after 10 minutes - Milltownpass’ only score at that stage coming from Evan Gorman in the first minute.

But then came a dominant period for David Martin’s charges. Shane Corcoran notched a point, followed by a Noel O’Reilly brace. Anthony McGivney was denied a goal when Coyne saved his low drive and Evan Gorman pointed a free to leave the sides tied at the interval.

The entertainment levels rose and three further points gave Milltownpass a 0-8 to 1-2 lead when play resumed. Corcoran (after Liam Brennan’s pass) got the first, while Brennan notched a free and then scored a quality point from play. Multyfarnham responded with three points from Wallace (free), Anthony McGivney (who fisted over when clean through) and Ian McGovern (a wonderful point with an instinctive strike from around 35 metres.

Milltownpass regrouped well again and after Multyfarnham were reduced to 14 men, Noel O’Reilly latched on to through ball and skipped clear of the cover, setting up Liam Brennan, who kept his composure to finish to the net. It was 1-8 to 1-5 with nine minutes remaining.

Wallace (free) and Noel O’Reilly traded minors before Wallace scored another fine point. And it was on a knife-edge when Wallace’s ‘45’ was tipped over by Coyne.

Crucially, Gavin Glennon found Brennan with a cross-field pass and the full forward pointed to put Milltownpass two clear in added time. Wallace’s late free landed in the danger area and Louis Greene notched the final score of an absorbing match, but it wasn’t enough to save Multyfarnham.

Scorers - Milltownpass: L Brennan 1-3 (0-1f), N O’Reilly 0-3, S Corcoran and E Gorman (1f) 0-2 each. Multyfarnham: R Wallace 1-6 (0-4f; 0-1 ‘45’), A McGivney, I McGovern and L Greene 0-1 each.

Milltownpass: Ruairí Coyne; Paul O’Reilly, Liam O’Reilly, Michael McCormack; David Manning, Alan Farrell, Gavin Glennon; Sam Duncan, Shane Flanagan; Liam Gorman, Tony Loftus, Noel O’Reilly; Shane Corcoran, Liam Brennan, Evan Gorman. Subs: Eoin Gallagher for Corcoran (inj., 43).

Multyfarnham: Craig Sweeney, Aran Whelan, Feichin Brennan, Tommy McGivney; Josh Lee, Cian Lee, Adam Bate; James Greene, Ronan Wallace; Adam Loughrey, Anthony McGivney, Jamie Coffey; Ian McGovern, Stephen Sweeney, Ciaran Madden. Subs: Louis Greene for Coffey (38), Gareth Mullaniff for J Lee, Shane Williams for McGovern and Luke Nangle for Loughrey (52).

Ref: Sean Carroll (The Downs).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the match

Liam Brennan (Milltownpass): There were a few contenders, but Milltownpass full forward Liam Brennan contributed handsomely to his side’s crucial win, scoring 1-3 in total.

Score of the match

An instinctive shot from Ian McGovern gave Multyfarnham their fifth point of the game after 42 minutes. It was wonderful accuracy from the corner forward.

Match officials

In a tight game at the end, there was no controversy for referee Sean Carroll or his officials.

What it means

Both teams face a battle to qualify: the one-point win got Milltownpass up and running in the group after losing their first two games. Multyfarnahm have a win also, but are level with Milltownpass on two points.