*St Josephs Miltown netminder, Sean O’Brien. Photograph: Martin Connolly
Miltown have maintained their unbeaten run in the 2019 Clare SFC getting a share of the spoils against Naomh Eoin/O’Currys on Monday evening.
St Josephs Miltown 0-09
Naomh Eoin/O’Currys 1-06
Venue: Cooraclare
Usually when it comes to the third round of the Clare SFC there is something to play for but in this contest, there was nothing on the line. Miltown had already topped Group 1 while rules dictate that Naomh Eoin/O’Currys regardless of results will not be relegated in 2019.
Such was the casual approach that the county champions had the luxury of not needing to use county trio Eoin Cleary. Gordon Kelly or Cormac Murray during the hour.
Early efforts from Eoin Curtin and Ger Malone put Miltown in front but the South West Clare amalgamation hit four points on the bounce to take the lead and would hold a slender one point advantage at the half-time whistle.
Three scores in succession from Malone swung the lead back in favour of David O’Brien’s side on the restart but Cathal Downes goaled to put the tie in the melting pot. Two Malone white flags had the fourteen time champions ahead in the final few minutes only for a late free from Thomas Clancy to secure a draw and the first points of the campaign for the Joe Garry managed outfit.
Elsewhere in Group One, Kilmihil booked their place in the quarter-finals with a convincing 5-11 1-13 over Kilrush Shamrocks sending last year’s intermediate champions at risk of relegation. Goals via Ciaran Downes, David Egan, Dan Keating and two from Sean Crowley had Mark O’Connell’s side on their way.
