Dillon delivers as Milltown set up final date with Shandonagh

Milltown 1-12, Rosemoount 0-8

A case of mission accomplished for Milltown who overcame the challenge of Rosemount at Fr Eamonn O'Brien Park last Saturday to secure a place in the Westmeath IFC final.

Milltown didn't produce the produce the type of impressive football evident in the group stages and this was their lowest scoring return in this year’s championship by a considerable margin.

Yet when it comes to semi-finals, it's all about doing enough to reach the final and Milltown did so with a decent amount to spare. They will now meet Shandonagh in the decider in what will be a repeat of last year's highly controversial semi-final between the teams.

On a day when Jack Duncan was curtailed by his lofty standards, his Westmeath colleague Conor Dillon led the way for Milltown, while the prominent Peter Ballesty supplied the game's only goal. Barry Downey's side appear well equipped in the fitness stakes with the Gunning brothers (Matthew and Luke) full of running as usual.

Rosemount enjoyed plenty of possession, especially in the first half during which David O'Reilly ruled the roost at midfield. However, they lacked the scoring power to turn possession into scores and a lengthy barren period while wind assisted in the second half proved costly.

This contest pitted together the two teams who topped their respective groups, but Section A table-toppers Milltown were firm favourites based on their displays while going through the group phase undefeated.

Rosemount came into the game with plenty of injury concerns, though Boidu Sayeh and David 'DD' McCormack (who was heavily strapped) both started despite being doubtful beforehand. Ben Cox was unable to start but was introduced from the bench early in the second half.

The black and amber side had three changes to their listed line-up with Ciaran Maxwell, Matthew Cox and David 'Dude' McCormack coming in for Darragh Healy, David Tone and Ben Cox. For their part, Milltown started as listed.

The wind at the Rochfortbridge venue favoured Milltown in the first and they tried to use it to their advantage, but efforts at landing two-pointers proved fruitless on a number of occasions.

Conor Dillon showed the way for Milltown with two early points. The Rathconrath outfit added to their lead through Jack Duncan and goalkeeper Alan Geraghty, who came forward to convert a brace of '45s.

David O'Reilly was winning his midfield duel with Dylan Murtagh, but Rosemount's efforts at scoring against the breeze were meeting with frustration. Rosemount finally ended their wait for a score in the 25th minute, Ciaran Maxwell finding the range after good work from Eamon Boland.

Within a minute, however, Milltown struck for a goal. It was scarcely a surprise that Dillon was involved in the build-up and Peter Ballesty's low shot beat Rosemount netminder David Fox.

Ben McGauran, who generally operated in a deep role despite wearing number 14, and O'Reilly then swapped points from frees. With the first half in added time, Dillon sent over his third point, but there was still time for Lorcan Daly to give Rosemount a boost by sending over a left-footed point, leaving it 1-7 to 0-3 at the interval.

Karl Dermody's charges needed a positive start to the second half and they got it when O'Reilly sent over a booming two-pointer.

McGauran and David 'Dude' McCormack then exchanged points but Rosemount had to wait approximately 15 more minutes before adding to their tally. This was the phase of the game when their hopes of springing a surprise faded away.

It wasn't that Milltown were doing much damage on the scoreboard either but they didn't need to, and they looked to take the sting out of the game by retaining possession when the chase arose.

Two pointed frees by Duncan gave Milltown a 1-10 to 0-6 lead, before O'Reilly nonchalantly sent over a free to end Rosemount’s scoring hiatus (51st minute).

As Milltown looked to halt Rosemount's efforts to generate some momentum, Dylan Murtagh made a huge fetch from a kickout. Rosemount substitute Declan Mullen was off target from a long range free and, at this stage of proceedings, they needed to take any chance that came their way. In addition, turnovers of possession continued to prove costly for Rosemount and another pointed free from O'Reilly proved their last score.

Duncan almost wrapped up Milltown's victory with a second green flag but his effort went across the goal. In any case, points from sub Conor Lynn and wing-back Matthew Gunning (a fisted effort) proved sufficient to embellish their victory as thoughts began to turn towards the final.

Scorers - Milltown: P Ballesty 1-0; C Dillon and J Duncan (2f) 0-3 each; B McGauran (1f) and A Geraghty (2 '45s) 0-2 each; M Gunning and C Lynn 0-1 each. Rosemount: D O'Reilly 0-5 (1tp, 2f); C Maxwell, L Daly and D 'Dude' McCormack 0-1 each.

Milltown - Alan Geraghty; Sean Dillon, Bernard Kiernan, Diarmuid Maguire; Matthew Gunning., Conor Gibney, Peter Ballesty; Patrick Somers, Dylan Murtagh; Jack Duncan, Conor Dillon, Henry Duncan; Jarlath Boyce, Ben McGauran, Luke Gunning. Subs: Thomas Lynn for Gibney for (inj., 43 mins); Conor Lynn for ?; Gary Byrne for S Dillon, Frank McLoughlin for Murtagh (both 65).

Rosemount - David Fox; Padraig Nestor, Andy McCormack, Luke Kelly; Cathal Byrne, Ben O'Brien, Lorcan Daly; David O'Reilly, David 'DD' McCormack; Ciaran Maxwell, Boidu Sayeh, Padraig Geoghegan; Matthew Cox, Eamon Boland, David 'Dude' McCormack. Subs: Declan Mullen for 'DD' McCormack (h-t); Ben Cox for M Cox (37 mins); David Tone for Boland (49); Andy Geoghegan for Daly (55) Enda Boland for Kelly (61).

Referee - Eoin Gorman (St Mary's).