Super Wallace earns draw for Multy men

Milltown 1-21, Multyfarnham 0-24

By Rodney Farry

A last gasp two point score from Ronan Wallace secured a share of the spoils for Multyfarnham at the end of a hugely entertaining Intermediate Football Championship clash against Milltown in TEG Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.

Player of the match Wallace managed a personal haul of 0-17, which included six two pointers, three from frees and two from play. His second two-pointer from play came with only seconds left in added time at the end of a second half that had the large crowd on the edge of their seats. While both teams will likely feel that with better game management they could have secured victory, a draw was a fitting result.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Multyfarnham, who led by 0-12 to 1-8 at the interval, started better and by the fourth minute were three points to the good courtesy of scores from Cian Lee and a two-point free from Wallace. Milltown responded quickly with points from Paddy Somers and Jarlath Boyce.

Multy’s attacking options this season have been enhanced by the coming of age of Mattie Thornton, who captained Coláiste Mhuire to the Leinster championship earlier this year. The teenager opened his account with a well-struck point in the seventh minute, which was quickly followed by scores from teammates Anthony McGivney and Mark Reynolds. Milltown’s Jack Duncan opened his account in the ninth minute with a point following patient build-up play.

Multy’s more direct style was starting to trouble the Milltown defence and by the 17th minute they had increased their lead to seven points after Wallace pointed a brace of frees, including his second two-pointer of the day.

Milltown’s Ben McGauran, who finished the match with 11 points, got off the mark with a point from play in the 18th minute and added his second two minutes later when he converted a free. Wallace scored his first two-pointer from play in the 21st minute.

However, Milltown were now on the front foot and kept the scoreboard ticking over with a classy point from industrious midfielder Jack Murtagh and a converted free from McGauran.

Multy's last score of the first half came via the boot of Thornton in the 24th minute, which gave them a five-point lead. However, this was reduced to the bare minimum before half-time. A point from Daire Hynes and a 28th-minute goal from Duncan ensured that Milltown went in at the break with their tails up at the end of an absorbing 30 minutes of championship football. Multy still had a slender lead, though.

The second half began much like the first with Multy in the ascendancy. They opened the scoring with two points from Wallace (one a free and one from play). Milltown levelled proceedings by the 38th minute thanks to a pair of converted 45s from McGauran and a point from Conor Lynn. Milltown now had the momentum and by the 44th minute had taken a four-point lead courtesy of scores from McGauran, a point from play and a two-point free, and a second over from Lynn. Thornton and Diarmuid Maguire traded points before three scores from the talismanic Wallace restored parity for Multy. His last score during this period of play was a stunning two-point free taken from wide on the left, kicking into the wind.

While the crowd was still marvelling at Wallace’s dead-ball skills, Daire Hynes put Milltown in front once more with his second point of the match. With one of his first touches after coming on, Jamie Coffey brought Multy level once again in the 53rd minute. The influential Conor Gibney’s last contribution for Milltown was a well-struck point to edge his team in front.

Hotshot Wallace wrestled the lead back for Multy with another wonderfully struck two-point free in the 57th minute. With a minute of regulation time left, McGauran converted his second two-point free to put Milltown ahead again.

When substitute Luke Gunning doubled their lead with a point from play seconds later, it looked as if Milltown had done just enough to secure the victory.

However, with seconds remaining, Wallace received the ball from Mark Reynolds on the right wing about 45 metres from goal and fired the ball over the bar to secure a deserved point for his team.

Scorers - Milltown: Ben McGauran 0-11 (4f, 2 tpt f, 2 45), Jack Duncan 1-1, Daire Hynes and Conor Lynn 0-2 each, Conor Gibney, Jack Murtagh, Diarmuid Maguire, Paddy Somers, Jarlath Boyce and Luke Gunning 0-1 each).

Multyfarnham: Ronan Wallace 0-17 (2 tpt, 4 tpt f, 3 f), Mattie Thornton 0-3, Cian Lee, Mark Reynolds, Anthony McGivney, Jamie Coffey 0-1 each.

Milltown: Damian Byrne; Diarmuid Maguire, Bernard Kiernan, Sean Dillon; Matthew Gunning, Conor Gibney, Tommy Lynn; Dylan Murtagh, Jack Murtagh; Daire Hynes, Paddy Sommers, Jarlath Boyce; Jack Duncan, Conor Lynn, Ben McGauran. Subs used: Sean Somers and Luke Gunning.

Multyfarnham: Craig Sweeney; Jake O’Neill, Feichin Brennan, James Greene; Jack Leavy, Ronan Wallace, Ronan Greene; Gareth Mullaniff, Cian Lee; Mark Reynolds, Anthony McGivney, Adam Bate; Brian McLoughlin, Mattie Thornton, Louis Greene. Subs used: Jamie Coffey, Ian McGovern, Stephen Sweeney and Jude Auld.

Ref: Mick Murtagh (The Downs).