Clonbur and Milltown produced a Christmas cracker

AT Tuam Stadium on Sunday the County Division 3A League final went to 20 minutes of extra-time but there was still no separating Clonbur and Milltown: 2-11 to 2-11. At the end of an hour's play it was 2-8 apiece. This was a game that got better, more exciting, even tense at times as both sides put in massive effort, which was a credit to them for the time of year that's in it. Thankfully the day was dry and surprisingly mild, and the Tuam pitch held up very well. [private] As Galway and Connacht Junior (A grade) champions, Clonbur â€â€ even without their very experienced playmaker Patrick Lambe â€â€ were strongly fancied to make it a County Championship and League double but Milltown's traditional battling qualities and never-say-die spirit got them a well deserved replay. Indeed they're probably disappointed that they didn't win this match, for they led by eight points after 15 minutes, at 1-6 to 0-1, and again had a big lead in the second half (seven points) at 2-8 to 1-4 after Ciarán Murphy coolly netted a penalty and then thumped a point from play. But John Joe Holleran isn't the only important football man in his family; his son Walter brought Clonbur back into contention with a goal from play and captain Eoin Joyce (son of team manager Steven) kicked four points without replay (two from play) to force the game to extra-time. It was looking good for An Fhairche when their skipper put them a point up in the first period of extra-time but a Kevin Varley point got Milltown motoring again, and there was some rousing stuff played by both sides from there to the end. Eoin Joyce was threatening to win it for the West men almost on his own but there was no surrender from Milltown as they dug deep and stayed alive. Points by Dúlta Ó Domhnaill and Eoin Joyce had Clonbur in front again but, from one down, Milltown rallied for Anthony Coyne to kick a spectacular point from play, from the 45-metre line â€â€ it was the last score of a hugely enjoyable and sportingly contested match. If Eoin Joyce was again the star of the show for Clonbur, Milltown's ace was a brilliant young forward who is also making a mark in Colleges football for St Jarlath's, Michael McWalters. Clonbur had to switch their corner-backs in an attempt to curb the threat, but the quick-thinking and quick-off-the-mark young Milltown man could not be kept quiet. They had other heroes too, especially their marvellously committed full-back line of Johnny Hynes, Stephen Varley and Brendan Donnelly, while James Feerick was equally keen and sharp at left half-back. It's a pity the replay will go into the New Year when, incidentally, Clonbur will also be preparing for an All-Ireland Junior Club Championship semi-final. Milltown: M. Turner; J. Hynes, S. Varley, B. Donnelly; James Martin, B. Forde, J. Feerick; S. Waldron, captain, E. Godwin; P. Glynn (0-1), A. Feerick (1-5, 0-5 frees), A. Coyne (0-2); M. McWalters, P. Martin, K. Varley (0-2). Subs used: C. Murphy (1-1, 1-0 pen.), E. Nally, S. Glynn. An Fhairche: P. Breathnach; D. De Bhaillís, L. Ó Discin, S. Ó hAllmhuráin; G. Ó Cadhain, D. Ó Cadhain, F. Ó Conámha; A. Ó Cadhain, É. Ó Cuiv (0-1); L. Ó Cearnaigh, W. Ó hAllmhuráin (1-0), T. Ó Lodeáin (1-0); D. Ó Domhnaill (0-1), S. Ó Domhnaill, E. Seoige, captain (0-9, five frees). Subs used: S. Breathnach, P. Ó Cadhain. Referee: Martin Flaherty (Caltra). Man of the Match: Shared by Eoin Seoige (An Fhairche) and Michael McWalters (Milltown). [/private]