James McGinley encouraged by Milford efforts against Naomh Conaill

For most of the first half in last weekend's third round SFC clash with Naomh Conaill, Milford went toe to toe with the reigning county champions. 

But after an eventual 1-12 to 0-8 defeat, their third of the championship, Milford’s backs are now well and truly up against the wall going into the last of the group games. 

“We’re not in a good place and we know that we are -17 in terms of score difference after three games,” admits boss James McGinley. 

“We need a win, it is as simple as that. So we are going to have to go out fighting in our last outing.” 

But despite the defeat to Glenties, there were positives to be drawn from the encounter. 

The locals matched Martin Regan’s men blow for blow as the sides exited at the midpoint locked on 0-4 apiece. 

It actually took a John O’Malley point, on the stroke of half-time, to tie up the game. In fact, it was the fourth time the teams were level in the opening half hour with the champions coming from behind on each occasion. 

The best of the goal chances also fell to Milford’s Kane Barrett shortly before the county panellist was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury.  

“We had three very good goal chances and yes we got two points from the three chances. But the reality is we needed to score the three of them any chance at all,” was McGinley’s assessment of that.  

“The loss of Kane was a massive blow. He is a brilliant footballer. In fairness, I thought the boys rallied well after he went off and we were very solid for the remainder of the half. 

“We went in level. We would have taken that yesterday, this morning or before throw-in. 

“We showed good workrate and good fight from the boys which was good to see.

“And though they were on top in the second half, we hung in there. Everybody knows the story with Milford at this stage. We have a young team but the application and effort is all there”. 

Milford now face Ardara in a huge clash, in Pearse Park, on Saturday evening that could yet consign either to the bottom four and a relegation play-off berth.