Gunning on the double as wasteful Milltown master Castledaly in Westmeath IFC quarter-final

Milltown put an incredibly wasteful early spell behind them to eventually claim a convincing victory over Castledaly in this Westmeath IFC quarter-final at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday.

The eventual winners squandered a string of chances in the early stages - they could have scored at least two goals before they did find the net - but such profligacy didn't matter in the end.

Jack Duncan's goal (it was soft from Castledaly's perspective) helped Milltown into a half-time lead of 1-7 to 0-5 and the impressive Matthew Gunning netted twice in the second half. The Murtagh brothers, Jack and Dylan, gave Milltown the edge at midfield, though an injury to Jack was a concern in the second half and he was replaced before the end.

Defeated finalists last year (when losing out to Garrycastle in a replay), Milltown are now one win away from contesting this year’s decider. A better conversion rate will surely be top of their agenda (they recorded ten wides on Saturday) ahead of the semi-final against a Shandonagh team who competed at senior level last year.

Despite this defeat against a better balanced Milltown outfit, Castledaly will reflect on their overall campaign with a degree of satisfaction as they will move up to Section A next year.

On a pleasant day in Mullingar, Milltown midfielder Dylan Murtagh threatened an early goal, making a huge fetch after drifting into the edge of the square, but he blasted wide. Luke Gunning (via the post from close range) was among those who registered early wides for Milltown. As Milltown's dominance of possession around midfield continued, Daire Hynes opened the scoring with a fifth-minute point.

Milltown butchered another goal chance after Jack Duncan played a one-two with attack-minded defender Diarmuid Maguire. The referee was playing advantage and the ensuing free was sent wide, adding to Milltown's woes in front of goal. After Paddy Somers was unable to finish off another goal opportunity, Lorcan Dolan levelled matters with Castledaly’s first shot at goal (13th minute).

Mickey Harkin’s side opened up a bit of daylight when a two-pointer from the excellent Hynes was followed by a Somers point. Dolan underlined his threat with a stylish point at the other end, though he was forced to live off meagre rations in the opening half.

A Milltown goal had been coming but the one that arrived should have been prevented as Duncan finished to the net all too easily (19th minute). After Hynes added to Milltown’s lead, a stray kickout allowed Jamie Anders to see up Dolan for a point, but it could have been a morale-boosting Castledaly goal, his shot clipping the crossbar.

Points from Hynes and the increasingly influential Matthew Gunning came either side of Dolan hitting the post from a 20-metre free, with Castledaly unable to profit on the rebound.

Castledaly got a welcome boost just before half-time when Kevin Stone raised an orange flag with a peach of a free from just outside the arc on the left. The same player swept over a superbly struck 45’ shortly after the restart and, suddenly, Conor Foley’s charges were only four points adrift (1-7 to 0-6).

Indeed, things could have been better for the Kilcleagh side moments later, but Dan Heavin was unable to force the ball home from close range with Milltown defender Bernard Kiernan helping to keep the Milltown net intact. It was a remarkable escape.

McGauran (a free) and Duncan raised white flags either side of a pointed free from Heavin. The score that really propelled Milltown to victory came in the 49th when Matthew Gunning drove the ball to the roof of the net, capping off a flowing move.

Gunning’s impact continued with two points, but spirited midfielder Alan Stone lifted Castledaly in between with the first of his brace of two-pointers. On 58 minutes, Castledaly keeper Cathal Dolan denied Duncan a goal, but the irrepressible Dunning finished the rebound to the net for his second goal.

As Castledaly continued to toil away despite facing a lost cause, Lorcan Dolan and Alan Stone both sent over two-pointers. These orange flags – the second coming after Duncan brought his tally to 1-3 – were effectively consolation scores. Had they arrived sooner, perhaps Castledaly could have applied more pressure, but there could be no disputing that Milltown were decisive winners overall.

Scorers - Milltown: M Gunning 2-3; J Duncan 1-3 (0-1f); D Hynes 0-5 (1tp); P Somers and B McGauran (f) 0-1 each. Castledaly: L Dolan 0-6 (1tp); A Stone 0-4 (2tp); K Stone 0-3 (1tpf, 1 '45'); D Heavin 0-1 (f).

Milltown - Alan Geraghty; Diarmuid Maguire, Bernard Kiernan, Sean Dillon; Tommy Lynn, Conor Gibney, Matthew Gunning; Jack Murtagh, Dylan Murtagh; Daire Hynes, Paddy Somers, Peter Ballesty; Luke Gunning, Ben McGauran, Jack Duncan. Subs: Nathan Creagh Dillon for L Gunning (45 mins); Jarlath Boyce for Ballesty (45); Sean Somers for J Murtagh (49)

Castledaly - Cathal Dolan; Shane Fitzpatrick, Liam Fitzpatrick, Emmet Heavin; David Dolan, Michael Lynch, John Warburton; Aaron Sheerin, Alan Stone; Jamie Anders, Dan Heavin, Aaron Nugent; Adam Turley, Kevin Stone, Lorcan Dolan. Subs: Shaun Kerrigan for Anders (49 mins); Shane Dolan for D Dolan (52).

Referee - Niall Ward (Garrycastle).