Milltown tie matters at the death after thrilling contest

Caltra bag three goals in draw

At Tuam Stadium

MILLTOWN and Caltra may have been cast in the supporting role on Saturday evening’s Senior Championship double bill at Tuam Stadium, but they stole the show with a pulsating contest that went right to the wire before the two sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Both sought victories following opening round defeats and, no doubt, this brought its own sense of urgency. It was high octane, helter-skelter, seat of the pants stuff at times, and for the neutral, there was much to enjoy.

In the end, Milltown’s full-forward Eoin Mannion kicked a quality point in the third minute of injury-time to level up the tie for the eighth and final time. It was a game of fine margins – one from which both teams will have their regrets.

Milltown tallied 18 scores, including three two-point frees from Michael Martin, for an impressive total of 0-21, but they also had nine wides and left several other efforts short, which impacted on their overall scoring efficiency.

Caltra, too, were guilty of missed opportunities – eight wides in total – but it was their three goals at pivotal moments that kept them in touch and, indeed, imbued them with a sense of confidence and purpose to push on for victory.

When Gabriel Naughton’s side struck for their third goal through the formidable Shaun Keane to nudge his side four points clear, 3-10 to 0-15, in the 53rd minute, it appeared like a shock result was on the cards.

However, as was the case all afternoon, Milltown replied with scores from Eoin Mannion (free), Martin (two-point free) and the industrious Terry Godwin to level up the game within three minutes.

Substitute Dara Costello then cut inside to register the lead score on 56 minutes before the stylish Alan Naughton kicked the equaliser for Caltra shortly after. The same player added another one in injury-time, showing great persistence for what looked like the winning score.

However, Milltown’s ability to chisel out the greater volume of chances stood to them, and with a trademark swift move, they funnelled the ball to one of their shooters, Mannion, who delivered big time for Eoin Godwin’s men.

With very few respites in the action, this summed up the nature of the contest from pillar to post. Milltown’s Mike Mulryan, who missed their opening day loss to Barna, kicked a brilliant two-pointer in the opening minutes to mark his return to action.

Milltown, though, then kicked six points without reply through Terry Godwin, Mark Hehir, Mannion (two) and Martin (two-point free) to take what would be a healthy four-point advantage in most matches. This was not one of those.

First, Naughton, Kealan Murray (two-pointer) and Keane (mark) traded scores with Godwin and Martin (free), before Caltra registered two late first half goals to take a 2-6 to 0-9 interval lead.

Another high ball delivery into Keane finally bore fruit when he latched onto the loose ball to pocket his first goal on 27 minutes before Naughton, finishing with a tally of 1-5, 1-4 from play, nutmegged Milltown custodian Conor Nolan to net in first half injury-time.

Yet, within four minutes of the restart, the sides were level again following scores from Mannion (free) and Martin (two-point free and free).

By the three-quarter mark, they were still level, 0-14 to 2-8, as they were when referee Austin O’Connell blew the full-time whistle on what was a superbly entertaining game of football.

MILLTOWN: C. Nolan, J. Hynes, J. Kirrane, P. Godwin; S. Feerick, S. Blake, A. Kehoe; T. Godwin (0-3), J. Kavanagh; N. Costello (0-1), C. Blake, L. Costello; M. Martin (0-8, three 0-2 frees, 0-2 frees), E. Mannion (0-6, 0-3 frees), M. Hehir (0-1). Subs: D. Costello (0-2), for Hehir, half-time; K. Mannion, for Hynes, half-time.

CALTRA: O. Loughrey, A. Doyle, S. Butler, E. Naughton; D. McCabe, S. Loughrey, T. Morrissey; M. Mulryan (0-2, 0-2 score), J. Barrett; E. O’Ceallaigh, O. Naughton, O. Butler (0-2, tp); A. Naughton (1-5), S. Keane (2-1), K. Murray (0-2, 0-2 score). Subs: L. Cosgrove, for Keane, 55 mins; R. Hannon, for Barrett, 58 mins; J. Muldowney for E. Naughton, 60+1 mins.

REFEREE: Austin O’Connell.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH: Shared by Terry Godwin (Milltown) and Alan Naughton (Caltra).