Green machine’s finest victory

Milltown are celebrating their first-ever Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship success after a resounding victory over neighbours Shandonagh at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday.

Goals from Henry and Jack Duncan, and Jarlath Boyce sealed a famous victory for the Rathconrath-based outfit, who won two senior titles in 1938 and 1942 but never got their hands on the Peter Geraghty Cup until Sunday. The match ended 3-16 to 0-7, and Milltown will take on Ballinagar of Offaly (away) in the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship quarter-final on November 14.

Dylan Murtagh became the first Milltown player to lift the famous trophy, and the winning captain was overjoyed as he paid tribute to all who made Sunday’s success possible.

“I want to thank all the players, the management, the club executive and everyone who has made today’s victory possible. It is a proud day for our club and all our supporters. Up Milltown,” he declared.

He paid tribute to Shandonagh, describing it as a huge battle and stressing the bond among the Milltown players. “Every one of you is my brother,” he added.

Hundreds of supporters turned out to cheer their heroes on, and there were special scenes as the Peter Geraghty Memorial Cup was brought back to the local parish on Sunday evening. They became the 24th club to win the trophy and celebrations continued long into the night.

Manager Barry Downey said: “It’s very special for the club. As a bunch of players and individuals and men, they’re a credit to their parish and their club. The two-pointer just after the break was huge. It was a real momentum swing there and we backed that up with a single point. When the goals came, it was a case of managing the game from there on out.”

For Shandonagh, it was their second successive defeat in the intermediate decider, and their wait for a third title goes on until 2027.

The absence of the suspended Brian Kavanagh was compounded by injuries to Luke Tynan and Conor McCrossan, stretching Shandonagh’s resources, and they faded badly in the second half as Milltown assumed complete control. Four scores from play underlined a lack of scoring power on Shandonagh’s part and they will aim to put that right next year.

Earlier on Sunday, Jordan McDonnell accepted the Hugh Daniels Cup as St Joseph’s won the Junior 1 Football Championship for the first time in 22 years. There were memorable scenes as hundreds of supporters gathered to celebrate victory.

It was St Joseph’s third final in-a-row as they atoned for defeats against Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall and Ballinagore.

“We have waited a while for this day. It’s an absolute honour to accept the cup on behalf of the club. A lot of blood, sweat and tears has gone into this, and to be the one representing you is a huge honour,” said captain Jordan McDonnell.

“I’m so proud of all the players. This has been a long and thankless pursuit. I know all of the sacrifices you have made, year after year, season after season. This journey has not been easy,” he added.

St Joseph’s will be away to Meath side Curraha on Saturday, November 14 in the Leinster JFC quarter-final.