Another year brought another junior final defeat, but Milltown remain determined to build on what's gone before. Plans are in place for what looks like one of the busiest years the club has had for some time as they prepare for the official opening of their impressive new facilities. Damien Maher spoke to Secretary, Jim Dalton, about Milltown's year. Reaching the Junior Football Championship final for the second year in succession, Rathconrath-based side, Milltown, looked set to provide stubborn opposition for Rosemount, who were everyone's favourites to bounce back after relegation in 2006. Milltown's impressive 1-14 tally in the semi-final against a strong Mullingar Shamrocks side suggested they were ready to erase the heartache of the previous year, when a last minute goal denied them. Alas, Tom Dillon's largely youthful side never really clicked on the day, registering just two points in the second half as they slumped to another disappointing defeat. In what was another body blow, they were pipped by Rosemount in the Junior Cup decider, which went to extra-time. But, according to long-serving club Secretary, Jim Dalton, there's plenty to remain upbeat about. "It was a good year, overall, and Milltown provided many hours of great entertainment for their loyal supporters. We reached two finals last year and, on the back of our appearance in the Junior Championship and cup finals in 2006, that couldn't be considered too bad," remarked the genial official. "We had a good campaign, overall. I know we lost the junior championship final, but you don't start at the top - you have to work your way up." Milltown's junior football championship campaign began in May when they took on St. Paul's in the opening game of Division 1. After a closely contested affair, the Rathconrath men emerged with a three-point victory, on a 1-10 to 1-7 scoreline, to make the perfect start. In the second round, they faced a strong St. Joseph's side and this provided another major test. After a tough hour's football, Milltown emerged with another very satisfactory three-point win, 1-11 to 1-8. A goal by Johnny Downes gave Milltown a slender lead at half time, 1-6 to 0-8, and they were strong enough to fend off the best efforts of the Streamstown men in the second half, with three Joe Kenny points vital to the eventual outcome. In round three, Milltown travelled to Shandonagh where they faced senior club, St. Loman's of Mullingar, whose second strong side looked a dangerous proposition. Two goals did the business for Dillon's charges, though, as they emerged with a 2-10 to 0-10 victory. A first half goal by Michael Connell made it 1-3 to 0-4 in Milltown's favour at the interval, before Willie Keegan netted the side's second major to put them on the road to victory. The final group game saw Milltown take on neighbours, Loughnavalley, in Castletown Geoghegan. When these clubs clash it rarely fails to enthral and that was certainly the case here as Loughnavalley stunned Milltown with two second half goals, before Tom Dillon's charges emerged with a gritty 2-10 to 2-5 victory. First half goals from Willie Keegan and Johnny Duncan gave Milltown a commanding lead at half time (2-5 to 0-3), but two quick-fire Loughnavalley majors threw the contest wide open again. In the end, Milltown's edge in class told and they were safely through to the semi-final. In the last four they faced a much talked about Mullingar Shamrocks side which had put in some eye-catching displays in the group stages, losing narrowly to Rosemount in their only previous reversal. In what proved a tough, uncompromising game at times, Milltown emerged as the superior outfit and their impressive 1-14 to 2-7 victory led many to believe they were ready to win back the Hugh Daniels Cup. Milltown led by 0-8 to 0-4 at half time and a timely second goal by Tom Dillon ensured victory, although they did have to survive a scary finish as Shamrocks scored two late goals. Milltown entered the final in late October full of expectation, but, on the day they failed to produce their best football and were forced to succumb to a strong Rosemount side on a 0-9 to 0-5 scoreline. It was anyone's game at half time as the sides retired level on 0-3 apiece, but Milltown could only manage two second half points as the dream faded. "We went 18 minutes of that second half without a score and that was never going to be good enough to beat Rosemount," remarked Jim Dalton. "In fairness, they had the better of the chances, overall, but it was a day on which Milltown didn't fire on all cylinders." Milltown also reached the Junior Cup final and, later in the year, traveled to Rosemount to take on the county champions. This proved an excellent game, which went to extra-time, where Rosemount's edge in fitness proved the difference. "The Junior Cup final was a better game than the championship final. We had a chance to put right what happened in the championship final, but Rosemount were the better team in extra-time and they scored 1-3, whereas we failed to score. They were still involved in the Leinster championship and that was a factor," recalled Jim Dalton. Elsewhere, in the league, Milltown finished in mid-table in Division 3 after some consistently good displays. "We had a satisfactory league campaign and are in a good division again this year, where 12 teams will compete following the inclusion of Ballycomoyle and Delvin," said the Secretary. At underage level, Milltown were once again involved with Ballymore in the Millmore Gaels amalgamation. Jim Dalton is full of praise for all concerned. "It's a magnificent setup and is going very well. Chairman, Eddie Somers and Secretary, Denis O'Rourke - who doubles as Treasurer - are doing great work," he enthused. "I was at the AGM and they had no difficulty getting volunteers to look after the various teams. It's vital to have a stepping stone from underage to adult football. Only for Millmore Gales there would be a number of young lads in both areas who would be missing out on the opportunity to play football," he added. Outside of football, 2008 will be a busy year for the Milltown club with the official opening of their new facilities in May. "Plans are already in place for the official opening, which will take place in May, sometime after the Westmeath/Longford game," confirmed the Secretary. "We are planing an inter county challenge game and some underage games that day. Plans are being finalised for it now and, while all the building work is finished, there are a couple of projects still to be completed," he added. Tom Dillon is once again back as team manager this year and will be joined by selectors, Pete Ballesty and David Molloy. All three are former players and will be fully determined to lead Milltown back to another final where supporters will hope it's a case of third time lucky. The Milltown team which reached the junior championship final for the second year in-a-row was: Damien Byrne; Ciaran Byrne, Michael Connell, Patrick Gavigan; Paul Mahon, Conor Reilly, Conor Farrell; Damien Gunning, Stephen Somers; Joe Kenny, Willie Keegan, Johnny Duncan; Johnny Downes, Fergal Reilly, Michael Dillon. Subs used: Tom Dillon, Eoghan Kenny, Francis McLoughlin, Paul Heduvan. Tweet

Most Read Stories