Millstreet 3-11 Mitchelstown 1-13

MILLSTREET advanced to the Coiste na nOg MAFC final following their close, but deserved win over Mitchelstown at Doneraile on Thursday evening.

The opening quarter was very close with the sides level 0-1, 0-2 and 0-3 each. Gradually Millstreet got to terms in the middle of the field they moved three points clear courtesy of Adrian Sheehan, Eric Hickey and Len Murphy.

Mitchelstown recovered well the moved Brian Murphy to midfield and were denied a good goal scoring chance when Michael Walsh's effort struck the post. They had points by Jason Cott and James Sheehan (free).

Millstreet had their first goal in the 23rd minute when Len Murphy worked well for impressive Robert Kelleher who goaled. Mitchelstown came close to a goal when their best forward Jason Cott soloed through only to be blocked down by an alert full-back Alan Murphy. Cott pointed a free.

Mitchelstown had two wides before Liam Allen and Jason Cott worked a good movement with Allen running on for the return pass only to be denied by the crossbar with Alan Murphy on hand to clear the rebound.

Mitchelstown forced a 45 that was converted by Michael Walsh. Mitchelstown were off target on two occasions with the winners leading 1-6 to 0-7 at the break.

For the second half Millstreet gained supremecy in the half-back line midfield and attack. Good work by Paul Sheehan led to a point by John O'Mahony. Jason Cott replied with a pointed free but it was the winners who showed the great teamwork.

A quick free by Paul Sheehan to Adrian Sheehan was gathered by Len Murphy who was fouled. Robert Kelleher pointed the free. Mitchelstown keeper Liam Molan saved well from Eric O'Connor. Both sides were off target with Kevin Sheehan having a punched point at the end of the third quarter 19 to 0-8. The Duhallow side added another point by Robert Kelleher.

In the 50th minute a good movement started by impressive Eric Hickey was gathered by Robert Kelleher with Hickey running on for the return pass and scoring a good goal. It moved the winners 2-10 to 0-8 clear. Further pressure saw Adrian Sheehan and Kevin Sheehan work well for Hickey to punch over 2-11 to 0-9.

Mitchelstown made a huge recovery they gained control at midfield and set up some good attacks. Jason Cott put James Sheehan through for a goal. Cott followed with a pointed free 2-11 to 0-11. Good work by Liam Allen and Michael Walsh led to a James Sheehan goal and from a poor kickout Sheehan kicked over 2-11`to 112.

Millstreet keeper Mark Donovan saved a free by James Sheehan. 'Town' set up a four man attack but the end result was a wide. The Avondhu side forced a late 45 and Michael Walsh converted leaving just a point between the sides.

Deep in injury time John O'Mahony punched to Robert Kelleher who goaled from close range. The final whistle followed and it was Millstreet who advanced to the decider.

MILLSTREET: M Donovan, E Daly, A Murphy, P O'Connor, B O'Connor, C Sheehan, D Frazer, L Murphy 0-1, P Sheehan, E Hickey 1-3 (0-1f), K Sheehan 0-1, A Sheehan 0-1, J O'Mahony 0-2, R Kelleher 2-3 (02f), R O'Connor. Sub: D Hickey for R O'Connor

MITCHELSTOWN: L Molan, D Farrelly, S Frewen, R Quirke, B Coffey, B Murphy, L Allen, M Walsh 0-2 '45's, B O'Sullivan, K Colgan, R Frewen, J O'Sullivan, J Sheehan 1-5, A Fitzgibbon, J Cott 0-6 (4f). Subs: J Gubbins for B O'Sullivan, D Considine for K Colgan

REFEREE: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll)