Corn Uí Mhuirí: Danny Murphy inspires Pres Milltown to victory against St Pats Castleisland in maiden quarter-final

Conor Clifford of St Pats Castleisland bursts through the tackle of Kevin Coffey. Pic: Domnick Walsh/Eye Focus

Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-finals: St Patrick's CC Castleisland 0-11 Presentation Milltown 0-13

Presentation Milltown booked their place in the semi-finals of the Corn Ui Mhuiri on Wednesday, despite a late scare at a wet O'Sullivan Park.

The Kerry school ran out narrow victors over kingdom compatriots and slight favourites St Pats of Castleisland.

Pats might have counted themselves lucky to not be further behind going in at half time, however, with Milltown dominating proceedings in the first half.

They controlled the possession game in the opening quarter - thanks the midfield dominance of Michael Lynch and Brian Mangan - with St Pats having only one worthwhile attack in the eleventh minute. 

Milltown came forward in waves with wingbacks Liam Harmon and Ryan Carey, along with roving Kerry minor Danny Murphy, who though wearing number fifteen, spent most of his time around the middle of the park.

Milltown set their stall out inside the opening minute when Killian Fitzgerald kicked a two pointer, quickly followed by a Danny Murphy point.

Michael Lynch then landed a point from just inside the arc as Pres Milltown raced 0-4 to 0-0 ahead inside five minutes. 

Michael Horan opened St Pats account in the eleventh minute, for their only score of the opening quarter. 

Brian Mangan then added another Milltown point but three wides and a couple of balls into the St Pats keeper midriff, did not help their cause.

St Pats eventually got going with Killian Dennehy striking the post and then kicking a free after Horan was fouled. 

A third of the way through the contest and Pres Milltown were starting to get a grapplehold on the game but they were denied a goal in 21st minute when Ryan Carey saw his goalbound effort taken off the line. 

Kevin Coffey and Liam O’Connor swapped points and in the 26th minute, before Milltown were awarded a penalty.

Killian Fitzgerald drove his spot kick wide as he tried to find the top corner.

Michael Horan punted over for St Pats on the stroke of half time as Pres Milltown retired 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

Pres Milltown resumed the second half as they had finished the first. Fitzgerald kicked another two pointer, adding a free soon after to give his side the lead. 

Again, Milltown threatened the St Pats goal. Carey grabbed a rebound after a Hickey save and Liam Harmon tidied things up with a point. 

Mike Horan and Liam O’Connor kept St Pats in the contest but a Diarmuid Quirke point at the end of third quarter saw Pres Milltown lead 0-11 to 0-6 and pull away.

Milltown only managed two points in the final quarter - from man of the match Danny Murphy and Liam Harmon.

St Pats never threw in the towel and a Killian Dennehy two pointer reduced the deficit. He repeated the feat when Mike Horan found him with a short forty five. 

It was now a three point game as the contest ticked into seven minutes of added time.

Gearoid Costello then kicked a point for Pats, only two between the side and nerves began to build for Milltown.

Then late drama as Killian Dennehy then struck a two point free to force extra time but it struck the post and fell to a St Pats player whose shot was blocked by Fitzgerald and that was that.

Scorers for Presentation Milltown: K Fitzgerald (0-5, 2tpf, 1f), L Harmon and D Murphy (0-2 each), M Lynch, B Mangan, K Coffey and D Quirke (0-1 each). 

Scorers for St Pats Castleisland: K Dennehy (0-5, 1tpf, 1tp, 1f), M Horan (0-3), L O’Connor (0-2, 1f), G Costello (0-1)

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

Subs: J Ziober (Milltown/Castlemaine) for K Coffey (inj 51), Donnacha Quirke (Milltown/Castlemaine) for S O’Loughlin (56)

ST PAT'S: M Hickey (Cordal); T Kelliher (do), S Kelliher (do), P Reidy (Ballymacelligott); A Griffin (Cordal), R Brosnan (Currow), R O’Connor (Currow); K Dennehy (Cordal), T Jones (do); L O’Connor (Castleisland Desmonds), C Walsh (Scartaglen), D Hickey (Castleisland Desmonds); J Ryan ( Currow), G Costello (Cordal), M Horan (Scartaglen).

Subs: C O’Connell (Ballymac) for J Ryan (40), W McCarthy (Scartaglen) for A Griffin (51), N Fitzgerald (Desmonds) for D Hickey (55).

Referee: E Horan (Glenflesk).