18/06/2023: A five-point second-half turnaround propels the Juniors into the Division 7 League final with a 1-point win over Miltown this afternoon, Kildysart 0-11, Miltown 1-7. A moment of silence was held at the start of the match to remember our club president James Cleary who was laid to rest on Friday last. The match was played in the rain and thunder and Kildysart were chasing the match for long periods, but they “weathered the storm” and will take on table toppers Doora Barefield in the final in two weeks’ time.

Kildysart was forced to make an early change when Mikey Moloney suffered a calf injury two minutes into the first half. Terry Murphy replaced the injured Moloney and wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. Points were hard to come by and at the end of the first quarter, Kildysart was down 3 points to 2, with Jack Cotter getting the second score. Brendan Frawley made a key block on a ball that was heading for goal but Miltown regrouped and got the only major of the day in the 20th minute. A free from Damien Murtagh left a goal between the sides but Miltown got a late point to have them in front by 4 at the break, Kildysart 0-3, Miltown 1-4.

For the second half, Kildysart made some positional switches that paid big dividends. Shane McNelis moved to full-back which certainly curtailed the Miltown attack, while Joe Kelly injected a bit of pace into mid-field. Points from Cotter and Murtagh (free) offset any gain Miltown acquired and at the turn of the 4th quarter, there were still 4 points between the sides, Kildysart 0-5, Miltown 1-6. Miltown stretched their lead to 5 before Kildysart started to turn things around. Ger Kelly, having been introduced in the 42nd minute, immediately shook things up and fired over a beauty which inspired Kildysart to push on. Joe Kelly won the ball in midfield, moved the ball forward, and then was on the receiving end and popped it over to leave just a goal between the sides. Kelly then converted a long-range free to narrow the gap to two. Impact sub, John Ginnane upped the tempo of the match which caused havoc against tired legs. With four minutes of normal time remaining, Cotter was deemed to be fouled by the Miltown goalie after the keeper fumbled a long-range high ball in the square. Murtagh duly converted this to leave only a single point between the sides, Kildysart 0-9, Miltown 1-7. Miltown won the resulting kick out and were charging down on goal. Their attack was foiled by Mark Moloney whose interception near the goal was crucial to Kildysart’s next attack. Miltown’s discipline was going against them and Kildysart won another free, which Kelly converted to draw the sides level, with 2 minutes of normal time remaining, Kildysart 0-10, Miltown 1-7. With two minutes of injury time played, Kildysart won the ball in midfield and started their next attack, but were fouled once more. Kelly was called upon to take the free from about about 45 metres out which would put Kildysart in front for the first time since Murphy's opening score. And the legendary man did not disappoint, Kildysart 0-11, Miltown 1-7. Another two minutes ensued but the ball was kept safely in the Miltown half of the pitch. The last kick of the match saw Kelly take a cheeky shot on goal which went just narrowly wide. It wasn’t needed though as Kildysart hung on for the win, Kildysart 0-11, Miltown 1-7. Referee: Kieran Harvey.

Kildysart: Aidan O’Loughlin-captain, Paul O’Brien, Joe Kelly (0-1), Mikey Finn, Brendan Frawley, Diarmuid Ginnane, Mark Moloney, Shane McNelis, Damien Hill, JJ McQuaid, Damien Murtagh (0-3, 3f), Jack Cotter (0-2), Liam Finn, Neil O’Connor, Mikey Moloney. Subs: Terry Murphy (0-1) for Mikey Moloney (2 min), Ger Kelly (0-4, 3f), for L. Finn (42 min), John Ginnane for M. Finn (48 min). Coach: Patrick Casey.