Corn Uí Mhuirí: Killian Fitzgerald fires Milltown to mid Kerry derby victory over Killorglin

Presentation Milltown claimed the honours edging out Intermediate School Killorglin in a thrilling finish sealed by late scores from Killian Fitzgerald and Kevin Coffey.

Kerry minor Marcus Clifford started at fullback for Presentation Milltown, scoring a point in the victory over Intermediate School Killorglin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Corn Uí Mhuirí: Presentation Milltown 2-12 Intermediate School Killorglin 2-10 

Local bragging rights for the first-ever Mid Kerry derby in the Corn Uí Mhuirí will go to Presentation Milltown as they got the better of Intermediate School Killorglin thanks to late points from Killian Fitzgerald. 

ISK had fought back from a five-point deficit to go one ahead but their composure let them down in the seven additional minutes as Pres Milltown created the chances needed to win.

Both defences were on top in the opening quarter as both sets of forwards struggled to create decent scoring chances for themselves. ISK responded to Fitzgerald opening the scoring with a goal from Micheál Culhane in the fifth minute. They were denied a second by Pres Milltown's Daniel Duggan soon after as he saved from James Jones. 

The goal separated both sides throughout much of the half but Milltown responded well to Adam O’Neill putting them four behind as Kevin Coffey got their goal in the 23rd minute. There was a black card issued to Liam Harmon in the aftermath of the goal meaning Milltown finished the half with 14 players.

Ryan Carey drew them level at 1-4 apiece at half-time. However, as although there was no score in the second-half until the 37th minute, Milltown took the initiative with a run of 1-3 without reply. Fitzgerald got the goal on this occasion as a free from Coffey on the 40-minute mark put them 2-7 to 1-4 in front. 

ISK got 1-1 from Adam O’Neill to come back into matters. Fitzgerald got a two-point free to stretch the advantage back out to four but ISK hit five successive points to lead again at 2-10 to 2-9. They hit two successive two-pointers from midfielder Tadhg O’Sullivan (play) and O’Neill (free) in the 54th and 56th minutes to go back into the lead.

Milltown were not panicking though as a two-point free attempt by them did come off the post put into Kevin Coffey’s grasp for the equaliser in the 58th minute. The victors were able to pretty much camp themselves in ISK’s half of the pitch in injury time as Coffey and Fitzgerald (free) got the winning scores for a deserved victory.

Pres Milltown face HHS Bandon in Round 2 in three weeks' time as ISK take on Patrician Academy Mallow. Milltown will be delighted their victory also came with the absence of Kerry minor Michael Lynch through injury.

Scorers for Presentation Milltown: K Fitzgerald (1-5, 1tpf, 1f), K Coffey (1-3), S O’Loughlin, M Clifford, R Carey and R Costello (0-1 each) 

Scorers for Intermediate School Killorglin: A O’Neill (1-5, 1tpf, 1f), M Culhane (1-0), T O’Sullivan (0-2, 1tp), E Murphy O O’Sullivan and C Evans (0-1 each) 

PRESENTATION MILLTOWN: D Duggan (Firies); J Spillane (Listry), M Clifford (Firies), S Clifford (Listry); E Doona (Firies); B Mangan (Keel), R Carey (Listry); Diarmuid Quirke (Milltown/Castlemaine), Donnacha Quirke (do); R Costello (Keel), K Coffey (Beaufort) L Harmon (Firies); S O’Loughlin (Firies), K Fitzgerald (Listry), D Murphy (Listry) 

Subs: J Lyne (Annascaul) for S O’Loughlin (32) and J Ziober (Milltown/Castlemaine) for E Doona (45) 

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL KILLORGLIN: A Radney (Laune Rangers); G McCarthy (Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane), D Butler (Fossa), C Bermingham (Laune Rangers); D Flynn (do), S Griffin (Milltown/Castlemaine), J Jones (Laune Rangers); T O’Sullivan (GGC), E Murphy (Listry); M Culhane (Beaufort) A O’Neill (Laune Rangers); O O’Sullivan (do); T Joy (do), C Griffin (M/C), C Evans (Laune Rangers) 

Subs: F Kennedy (Beaufort) for O O’Sullivan (41), S O’Doherty (GGC) for T Joy, P O’Donnell (Laune Rangers) for E Murphy (both 47) Referee: T McCarthy (Castleisland Desmonds)