Cloughaneely 1-13 Milford 2-8
MILFORD were left to rue a string of missed goal chances in the second half as they lost to Cloughaneely at the Bridge and were relegated to the Junior ‘A’ Championship.
An early goal from John Fitzgerald was important for Cloughaneely against the breeze.
Dylan Dorrian replied with a terrific goal for Milford but their 1-7 to 1-4 lead at the break didn’t appear to be enough.
They squandered chances to extend that cushion in the second half and Cloughaneely found six unanswered points in a nine-minute spell to save their Intermediate status.
Milford opened the scoring after 36 seconds through Kyle Black.
However, Cloughaneely soon found their feet and Blake McGarvey and Donnachadh Ó Baoighill fired over points.
They then grabbed a goal in the seventh minute. John Fitzgerald showed good strength to hold off Peter Curran and while the number 17 was fouled as he took the shot, his effort still flew into the top corner.
There was a sense of panic from Milford after that and they sent a few shots astray although Lorcan Friel almost fisted one dropping effort into the bottom corner.
Shane Black settled things now for the Moyle View Park men with a two-point free.
Cathal McGettigan tagged on a free and Conor McHugh also pointed as Milford started to get a grip at midfield.
McHugh then boomed over a two-pointer before Milford got a massive score in the 21st minute when Dylan Dorrian used his pace to fire in a brilliant individual goal.
That moved Milford five clear but Ciaran Scanlon bravely won the next breaking ball for Cloughaneely and they went on to hit the next two points from Shaun Curran and John Fitzgerald.
Shane Black hit the post with a free he should have nailed for Milford and Cloughaneely held the ball for the last two minutes of the half, content to go in only three behind at the break.
Milford had a good chunk of possession at the start of Act Two but couldn’t add to their tally.
Cloughaneely soon got into their stride again as Blake McGarvey curled over a two-pointer and then Ó Baoighill levelled matters in the 37th minute.
Milford had a chance for a goal but Eoin O’Donnell’s effort was blocked by Darren McGeever when he probably should have laid the ball inside.
Cloughaneely had another fortunate escape in the 45th minute when Milford split them open with a great move but Shane Black fired wide.
Cathal McGettigan did push his team one ahead and he had another good goal opportunity but Cian McFadden denied him with a vital block.
When Cloughaneely required leadership, their county under 20 star Ó Baoighill stepped up.
He registered a placed ball, a two-point free and a score from play in the space of six minutes to put his side three in front.
Ciaran Coll soon slotted over a two-pointer and that looked to be that.
Milford didn’t throw in the towel and Eoin O’Donnell punched home a goal in the 64th minute.
There were another three minutes after that but they couldn’t find another major and drop to the junior ranks for the first time since 2013.
Cloughaneely were thrilled with their win and they will play in the Intermediate again next year.
Cloughaneely: Michael McGinley; Tarlach Coll, Remy Moran, Cian McFadden; Jack Gallagher, Conor Coyle, Seamus Doogan; Shaun Curran (0-1), Darren McGeever; Padraig Coyle, Blake McGarvey (0-3, 1tp), Jamie McGeever; Donnachadh Ó Baoighill (0-6, 1tpf, 1f), Ciaran Scanlon, John Fitzgerald (1-1). Subs: Ciaran Coll (0-2, 1tp) for Scanlon (45 mins), Cormac Coyle for Curran (50 mins), Patrick Doohan for J.McGeever (55 mins).
Milford: Killian Hagan; Paul Ryan, Peter Curran, Conor Coll; Ronan Docherty, Conor McHugh (0-3, 1tp), Eoin O’Donnell (1-0); Rory O’Donnell, Dylan Dorrian (1-0); Shane Black (0-2, 1tpf), Cathal McGettigan (0-2, 2fs), Finn Coll; Darragh Black, Lorcan Friel, Kyle Black (0-1). Subs: Ryan Orr for Friel (42 mins), Shea Cannon for K.Black (50 mins).
Referee: Cathal Gallagher (Glenswilly).