Corofin, Kilconly and Milltown leading the way in Division 1A of Co. senior football league

THE second round of the club leagues were played over the weekend and Corofin, Kilconly and Milltown are leading Division 1A on full points, with St James and Leitir Mór on three points while An Cheathrú Rua, Mountbellew-Moylough and Tuam Stars have still to register a point.

 Milltown edged out Kilkerrin/Clonberne in a hard fought but entertaining contest in Milltown on Friday night by 3-8 to 2-9. Michael Martin was in sparkling form for Milltown, scoring all three of their goals. The sides were level at half time, 1-4 each.

Brian Meskell was the goalscorer for Kilkerrin/Clonberne. The introduction of Shane Walsh and Conor Rabbitte at half-time added penetration to the Kilkerrin/Clonberne attack, but the Martin goals and Cathal Blake’s dominance at midfield insured that home team held out. Others to shine for Milltown were Darren Mullahy and Seán Hehir. Best for the losers were Jonathan Ryan, Enda Daly and Brian Geraghty.

At a wet and windy Caherlistrane on Saturday evening, visitors Kilconly collected both points in a close contested game. The opening half saw Kilconly race into 1-5 to no score lead with Adrian Murphy scoring the goal from the penalty spot while John Paul Steede opened their scoring with three early points, one from a free and the other two from play. Barry Concannon and Niall Mullen shot their other points of the half.

Caherlistrane suddenly came to life with Ronal Connelly fisting their opening score on 25 minutes with Cormac Bane landing a free soon afterwards. And when Shane O’Brien scored a goal the gap was closed to three points by half-time.

The second-half was low on scores as the heavy rain and swirling breeze made it difficult for both sides, but Caherlistrane started the better start and midway through the half had clawed back the three points deficit with Bane in top shooting form.

But Noel Mullen put Kilconly ahead again with ten minutes to go, only for Eric Monaghan to level matters with five minutes to go. Subsequently, Adrian Murphy shot the winning point in injury time as Caherlistrane spurned some late chances.

A superb save by Leitir Mór goalkeeper PS Ó Ceallaigh from Carraroe forward Ciarán de Paor at the end of normal time ensured the two league points for his side in this local derby played in Carraroe. Naomh Anna did most of their scoring in the first half with Aongus Ó Flatharta, Fiachra Breathnach and Ciarán Ó Conghaile getting two points each, with one from Cormac Ó Conghaile, leaving them 0-7 to 0-1 ahead at the break.

Carraroe’s solitary score in that first half coming from Oisín Ó Gríofa, but they came back strongly in the second half and had reduced the deficit to two points, 0-8 to 0-6, with ten minutes left. Naomh Anna substitute Patrick Mark Ó Fátharta then scored a point with Ó Griofa replying for Carraroe before Ó Ceallaigh’s timely intervention meant Naomh Anna left with the two league points on a final score of 0-9 to 0-7.

In Division 1B, there are three unbeaten teams after the second round games. Caltra, Killererin and Annaghdown share top spot while there are four team on two points, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Oughterard, Mícheál Breathnach and Menlough with Cortoon-Shamrocks, Carna Caiseal and Bearna still pointless.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.