Milford take home the points from Mountcharles with win over St Naul’s

Milford were full value for the two point win over St Naul’s in this Division 2 league game which was held up for a long period in the second half after an injury to Milford man Conor McHugh.

The midfielder suffered a leg injury after coming back to ground after a midfield challenge and had to be stretchered off.

The stoppage left the second half being lengthy and St Naul’s, four points in arrears at the time, made an effort in the final minutes to get back on terms but just weren’t able to bridge the gap.

Dylan Dorrian and Darragh Black were the stand-out players of the contest and in truth the two point margin at the end flattered St Naul’s.

With the aid of the slight breeze, the home side recovered from an early Dylan Dorrian point to go 0-4 to 0-1 ahead through Barry Burke, Stephen Griffin from a free and play and Michael Coughlan.

The mid-point water break seemed to ignite the Milford challenge as they hit 1-4without reply with Darragh Black really lively. Shane Black started the scoring before Darragh hit 1-1 in quick succession, Dorrian and Thomas Evesson involved in the goal. Cathal McGettigan added a free to open a 1-5 to 0-4 lead.

St Naul’s were unfortunate in added time when a Declan Duignan effort for a point came back off the upright and referee Michael McShane whistled to take it back for a free. However, the ball fell to Stephen Griffin with a goal chance on. From the free Stephen Griffin pointed.

But Milford struck again before half-time with Darragh Black on the end of another move to fire home, this time with his left to leave his side leading 2-5 to 0-5 at the break.

St Naul’s did hit back in the second half with Stephen Griffin finding the net from a 13m free but Milford a two pointer from Dylan Dorrian had the lead back out to five.

Rory Kennedy and Darragh Black exchanged scores while Declan Duignan cut the lead to four by the midway point of the second half. Then came the lengthy stoppage for the injury to Conor McHugh.

Milford stretched the lead again to six with points from Christopher Barrett and Shane Black. Three Stephen Griffin points (two frees) gave St Naul’s some hope but Shane Black again made it a four point game.

Griffin added another free as St Naul’s started to go for the high ball looking for a goal. They almost got what they were looking for with the last attack, Lee McBrearty getting his fist to a lob but it went over the crossbar.

St Naul’s scorers: 1-8, 1-0f,6f; Barry Burke, Michael Coughlan, Rory Kennedy, Lee McBrearty, Declan Duignan 0-1 each.

Milford scorers: Darragh Black 2-2; Shane Black 0-4; Dylan Dorrian 0-3,1tp; Eoin O’Donnell, Cathal McGettigan (f), Christopher Barrett 0-1 each.

St Naul’s: Joe Campbell; Barry Burke, Niall Prendiville, Ryan Coughlan; Martin Breslin, Kyle Campbell, Christian Ward; Barry Griffin, Michael Coughlan; Oisin Mogan, Ian Campbell, Conor Campbell; Shane Conneely, Stephen Griffin, Declan Duignan.

Subs: Johnathan O’Driscoll and Lee McBrearty for C Campbell and K Campbell (both 33); Rory Kennedy for Ian Campbell (42); Patrick Craig for Duignan (60+4)

Milford: Killian Hagan; Kyle Black, Peter Curran, Anthony Curran; Ronan Doherty, Conor Coll, Dylan Dorrian; Lorcan Friel, Conor McHugh; Eoin O’Donnell, Finn Coll, Thomas Evesson; Shane Black, Darragh Black, Cathal McGettigan.

Subs: Killian McBride for C Coll (37); Conor Coll for McBride (45); Christopher Barrett for C McHugh (47).

Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar)