Caltra almost pull off a shock against Milltown in round two of Galway SFC
Milltown and Caltra may have occupied the supporting slot on Saturday evening’s SFC double bill at Tuam Stadium, but there was nothing secondary about the fare they served up in an entertaining 3-12 to 0-21 draw. In a compelling contest that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, the sides traded blows before eventually having to settle for a share of the spoils.
Both came into the game seeking to make amends for opening-round defeats, and that desire for a much-needed victory was evident from the outset. Played at a frenetic pace, there was little between the teams throughout, making it a thoroughly absorbing watch for the neutral.
And fittingly, the deadlock was not broken until the dying seconds. Milltown full-forward Eoin Mannion kept his composure to drill over a fine point in the third minute of injury-time, drawing the sides level for the eighth and final time. It was a contest decided by the finest of margins, leaving both camps to ponder what might have been.
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 throughout, 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 (2) 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) and, so continued the second period, as neither team relented in their pursuit of victory.
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, 3 tpf, 2f), E. Mannion (0-6, 3f), M. Hehir (0-1f).
Subs: D. Costello (0-2) for Hehir (HT); K. Mannion for J. Hynes (HT).
Caltra: O. Loughrey, A. Doyle, S. Butler, E. Naughton; D. McCabe, S. Loughrey, T. Morrissey; M. Mulryan (0-2, tp), J. Barrett; E. O’Ceallaigh, O. Naughton, O. Butler (0-2, tp); A. Naughton (1-5), S. Keane (2-1, 0-1 mark), K. Murray (0-2, tp).
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.