Intermediate Football Championship flashback: O’Brien strike rescues Shandonagh

When MT and SH last met: An epic in Kinnegad.

Shandonagh somehow snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat with a late Rory O’Brien point in the third minute of added time to deny Milltown victory in round one of the Intermediate Football Championship.

Playing with 14 men from the 15th minute, Shandonagh looked impressive as they established a nine-point lead, 2-17 to 2-8. However, in a compelling contest, Milltown recovered superbly, a goal from Jarlath Boyce in the 50th minute changing the complexion of the match. The extra man proved a factor as Shandonagh soaked up serious pressure and managed just two scores in the final 17 minutes, leaving them with much to ponder.

Yes, they played without county men Daniel Scahill and Tom Molloy, but they faded alarmingly in the second half, not for the first time losing their way. Milltown found momentum and an injury to ‘keeper Cian Molloy on 41 minutes forced Shandonagh to rejig things at a vital stage, and they struggled to win their own kickout for a spell.

Conor Dillon brought Milltown level in the 56th minute, completing an unanswered 1-6. The outstanding Brian Kavanagh steadied the Shandonagh ship, but it was in danger of crashing into the rocks after two Ben McGauran frees gave Milltown the lead one minute into added time.

Kavanagh turned provider in the dying seconds, his pass setting up O’Brien for an equalising score.

Shandonagh scored six two-pointers with the useful breeze behind them in the first half and that remarkable return ought to have given them a platform. Kavanagh got five of those, three from placed balls and his accuracy was superb even if he got away with creating a divot each time. Luke Tynan notched another and Shandonagh were flawless, registering zero first-half wides.

Milltown, who managed one two-pointer from corner-back Matthew Gunning in the second half, looked second best for long stretches, but their battling qualities and industry never waned and they showed why they are strong contenders for the Peter Geraghty Cup. There was so much quality and entertainment packed into a gripping game and Shandonagh will feel that if Brendan Killian hadn’t been sent off following a coming together with Luke Gunning after Jack Duncan’s wonderful goal in the 15th minute, all three points were theirs for the taking.

Equally, Milltown will take positives from their side’s gritty display and they still have Jack Murtagh to throw into the equation. If Kavanagh and Adam Treanor shone for Shandonagh, and Rory O’Brien stood tall, Jack Duncan was superb at times for the Rathconrath outfit.

At half-time, Shandonagh led by 1-15 to 2-7, their first goal coming from a slightly contentious penalty in the 10th minute, converted clinically by Kavanagh. It was awarded for a foot block on Rory O’Brien but looked inconclusive at first glance. Duncan and Conor Lynn hit back with Milltown majors, Lynn’s 30th-minute effort carried over the goal line by the helpless Rory O’Brien, exposed once he caught the ball while travelling back at speed.

It was Milltown who had the better of the second half (1-9 to 1-4), after Shandonagh scored a terrific goal through Rory O’Brien in the 43rd minute, following a superb run from Adam Treanor. Tynan’s point extended the lead to nine before a resurgent Milltown side found their rhythm, showing character and belief.

Scorers - Shandonagh: B Kavanagh 1-11 (1-0 pen.; 3 2ptf; 2tp; 1f), R O’Brien 1-1, L Tynan 0-3 (1tp), G Carr 0-2 (tp), R Donnelly 0-2 (1f).

Milltown: C Lynn 1-4 (R O’Brien OG), J Duncan 1-3, J Boyce 1-0, M Gunning 0-3 (1tp), B McGauran 0-3 (2f), S Dillon, L Gunning, C Dillon 0-1 each.

Milltown: Alan Geraghty; Matthew Gunning, Patrick Somers, Diarmuid Maguire; Sean Dillon, Conor Gibney, Peter Ballesty; Conor Dillon, Dylan Murtagh; Jack Duncan, Jarlath Boyce, Henry Duncan; Ben McGauran, Conor Lynn, Luke Gunning. Sub: Thomas Lynn for Ballesty (37).

Shandonagh: Cian Molloy; Ben Treanor, Jack O’Brien, Brendan Killian; Gareth Carr, Adam Treanor, Maitiu Scully; Caelum Faughnan, Eoin Conlon; Conor McCrossan, Rory O’Brien, Luke Tynan; Ryan Donnelly, Brian Kavanagh, Kevin Boyle. Subs: John Fry for J O’Brien (41), Conor Craig for Molloy (inj., 41), Jake Costello for Donnelly (45), Aaron Craig for McCrossan (54).