Impressive first half gives Milltown the platform

Ladies Senior Football Div 1 league final: Milltown 0-13, The Downs 0-10

Milltown’s greater experience and class shone brightest on a glorious summer Sunday at Shandonagh GAA grounds, where they overcame The Downs to secure the Ladies Football Division 1 league title.

The well established senior side led by 0-12 to 0-4 at the interval and not even an injury to marquee forward Sarah Dillon could prevent them from claiming the honours. The Downs managed just four scores in the first half, two from play, and that proved their undoing. The Black and Ambers were impressive in their spirited second-half effort to claw back the deficit, but Milltown managed the game soundly when they needed to and just a solitary second-half point from a free was enough to give them victory.

Sarah Dillon was unstoppable in the first half with 0-7 of her side’s haul, and Milltown were furious when she sustained a shoulder injury before the break, clearly feeling the county star had been targeted, but they were ultimately strong enough to fend off a gritty second-half fightback. The foundations for this success were laid in the opening 30-plus minutes: Milltown led by five points at the end of the first quarter and extended that lead to eight by half-time. Playing with the breeze, Milltown showed serious intent and six points from Sarah Dillon (one free and a two-pointer) and another from Clodagh Dillon put them 0-7 to 0-2 clear after 16 minutes. The Downs struggled, with points from Francesca Walshe (free) and Lucy Power only briefly interrupting Milltown’s flow.

Bronagh Beglan finished superbly and Sarah Dillon notched a two-pointer with a classy finish, The lively Clodagh Dillon started a move that led to Sinéad Slevin finishing. It was 0-10 to 0-2 after 24 minutes and already it looked like a considerable advantage.

Olivia Glynn (free) and Britney McNamee managed further scores for The Downs, but Bronagh Beglan and Leanne Slevin (free) ensured Milltown led by eight points at the break.

The Downs realised they needed a goal as the second half unfolded and they were just one pass away on several occasions. Two minutes from the end, Milltown goalie Sinéad Byrne denied Beth McGuire a major, after Lucy Power and Niamh Keogh carved an opening. That was the general trend; players such as Leanne Slevin and Rachel Dillon were always there to put in the vital challenge and slam the door shut on the opposition.

Beth McGuire and Henrietta Kiernan served 10-minute spells in the sin-bin for the respective teams as intensity levels rose and The Downs scored four unanswered points through Olivia Glynn (one free) to get back into contention by the 47th minute. However, Milltown remained composed and Leanne Slevin converted a free; two late scores from Beth McGuire and Olivia Glynn (free) couldn’t rescue the situation for The Downs.

Afterwards, Geraldine Giles, Westmeath LGFA chairperson, presented the cup to Louise Kiernan, captain of the Milltown senior ladies.

Scorers – Milltown: S Dillon 0-7 (1f; 1 tp), B Beglan and L Slevin (2f) 0-2 each, C Dillon and S Slevin 0-1 each.

The Downs: O Glynn 0-6 (3f), F Walshe, L Power, B McNamee and B McGuire 0-1 each.

Milltown: Sinéad Byrne; Gemma Keena, Aoife Kenny, Jillian Ballesty; Henrietta Kiernan, Louise Kiernan, Rachel Dillon; Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon; Orlaith Sheerin, Laura Kiernan, Bronagh Beglan; Clodagh Dillon, Sinéad Slevin, Sarah Dillon. Subs: Gráinne Byrne for S Dillon (inj.), Isobelle Finn for A Kenny, Lia Heduvan for B Beglan, Kate Whyte for S Slevin.

The Downs: Ellen Taite; Amy Dagg, Lauren Guilfoyle, Lauren English; Ciara Dolan, Lucy Power, Aisling Egerton; Gemma Faulkner, Francesca Walshe; Rose McNamee, Michelle Bohan, Cara Finnegan; Mary Lynam, Britney McNamee, Olivia Glynn. Subs: Ciara Faulkner for L English, Sheila McGrath for M Lynam, Beth McGuire for C Finnegan, Aoife McLaughlin for M Bohan, Niamh Keogh for B McGuire.

Referee: Mick Gordon (Shandonagh).