Corn Uí Mhuirí: CBS Tralee make experience tell against youthful Milltown
A clinical second-half display ultimately secured the win for the more experienced CBS Tralee side. While the youthful Pres Milltown team showed plenty of fight, CBS’s ability to capitalise on key moments, combined with a ruthless finishing touch in the second half, was the difference.
The match got off to a fast start with CBS opening the scoring in the second minute through Nick Lacey. Milltown responded swiftly with a free from Killian Fitzgerald, and the game was evenly matched early on. CBS continued to press, with Lacey and Liam Óg O'Connor adding points from play to give them a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the seventh minute. However, CBS’s shooting would let them down throughout the half, with several opportunities going wide.
Milltown, despite their youthful lineup, showed resilience. Fitzgerald was their main source of scores, converting two more frees to keep them in touch, while a shot off the post in the 11th minute by Fitzgerald could have had a significant impact. CBS were unable to make the most of their dominance, with a crucial save by Milltown goalkeeper Odhran O'Neill denying Nick Lacey. Despite these missed opportunities, CBS extended their lead with points from Ronan Carroll and Luke Rochford, with Rochford also adding a free late in the half. By the break, CBS held a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage.
The second half saw Milltown come out strongly, as Killian Fitzgerald quickly converted two frees to close the gap to just one point. However, CBS responded in the best possible way with a goal from Hugh Lenihan – tapping in from close range from a cross the square pass from Ronan Carroll.
Milltown refused to lie down and responded almost immediately with a goal from Ryan Carey, which momentarily brought the game back to life – Liam Harmon putting a great pass into the square.
James Clifford added a point shortly after to level matters, but it was a temporary stalemate. CBS’s defence remained solid, and they never allowed Milltown to really threaten the scoreboard again as they drove on to victory.
Ryan O'Driscoll, who had been a consistent threat, added three more points, while Ronan Carroll also contributed with two well-taken points from play. Milltown had a chance to claw back another goal in the 51st minute, but Oisin O'Halloran, the CBS goalkeeper, made a crucial save from Ryan Carey. As the game entered its final stages, CBS’s experience showed, as they controlled possession to wrap up a comfortable victory.
Killian Fitzgerald 0-4f, Ryan Carey 1-0, James Clifford 0-1.
Ryan O’Driscoll 1-2 (2f), Ronan Carroll 0-3, Hugh Lenihan 1-0, Luke Rochford 0-2 (1f), Nick Lacey 0-1, Liam Óg O’Connor 0-1.
O O’Neill (Milltown/Castlemaine); J Spillane (Listry), M Lynch (Milltown/Castlemaine), M Rogers (Ballymac); J Murphy (Beaufort), M Clifford (Firies), B Mangan (Keel); C Riordan (Firies), K Coffey (Beaufort), L Harmon (Firies); J Clifford (Listry), R Costello (Keel), K Fitzgerald (Listry).
D Murphy (Listry) for Spillane (17)
O O’Halloran (Ardfert); S Brosnan ( Austin Stacks), E Moriarty (Ballymac), T O’Slatara (Churchill); E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), Fionnán Ryan (Austin Stacks), H Lenihan (Churchill); L O’Connor (Ardfert), P Brosnan (Moyvane); M McKivergan (Ballymac), L Rochford (Ballyduff), T Quilter (Churchill); M Lacey (Kerins O’Rahillys), R Carroll (Austin Stacks), R O’Driscoll (Austin Stacks).
D Corridon (Ardfert) for Rochford (40), D Horgan (Austin Stacks) for O’Flaherty (45), T O’Connor (Ballyduff) for Quilter (49), M Corridon (Ardfert) for Lacey (54).
J M Fitzgerald (Abbeydorney).