The dismissal of midfielder Jake Foley in the 17th minute was the deciding factor in this round 4 clash which eventually saw the visitors take the spoils by a 3 point margin, 4-06 to 1-12.
The opening quarter, when we faced the breeze, saw us play controlled direct football and with Tom Hoare and Jake winning the midfield battle, our forwards were on the front foot and notched 4 points without reply in the opening 12 minutes.
Our half forward line of Daniel Bowler, Shane McElligott and Gearóid Dillane were to the fore in this period supplying quality ball to the inside line where Darragh O'Connor, in particular, prospered.
Darragh had 3 points on the board, two from play and one from a free, while Tom Hoare slotted a short range free and Daniel Bowler chipped in with a lovely score off his left - initially waved wide by the umpire but over ruled by the referee.
Millltown/Castlemaine's only response in this period was a free from Eanna O'Connor whilst they also hit 3 wides from play.
Jake's dismissal, for a foul on David Roche saw the referee issue a red card which in real time looked harsh - it allowed the opposition to free up a man in defence and our challenge was further undermined when Shane McElligott had to leave the field injured, being replaced by Conor Hayes.
Milltown now added a brace of points and had a goal in the 21st minute through Eanna O'Connor which levelled the tie.
As the clock ticked into the 33rd minute, misfortune befell as a turnover in defence saw the opposition find the net after a bout of inter-passing to leave them in the ascendancy at the short whistle by 3 points, 2-03 to 0-06.
Darragh continued to lead the defence a merry dance, and he slotted over a lovely score on the resumption and with Eanna O'Connor and Barry John exchanging points we were only two behind; again, however we conceded a green flag which was followed by another 1-01 all within the following few minutes which saw us trailing 4-05 to 0-08 at the half way mark.
The final quarter saw us up our game as Milltown had David Roche black carded - Daniel Bowler, playing at wing back sallied forth and kicked a fine point which was followed by another from Conor Hayes; a quick fire movement saw a penalty awarded for a foot block and Ryan Carroll fired past Cormac Leane in the 22nd minute - it was game on now, 4-05 to 1-10 but Milltown now restored to the full complement, saw out the game as both sides traded points.
It was a disappointing result given the good early play but the numerical disadvantage proved too much overall - however, the team and management will have been emboldened by the final quarter resurgence and will face the upcoming game against Rathmore with no little confidence.
Team: Robert O'Connor, Darragh McElligott, Ross O'Callaghan, Stephen Nix, Con Barrett, Ryan Carroll, TJ Heaphy, Tom Hoare ( C), Jake Foley, Daniel Bowler, Shane McElligott, Gearóid Dillane, Gearoid Savage, Barry John Keane, Darragh O'Connor.
Subs used: Conor Hayes, Padraig Griffin, Conor O'Sullivan.
The opening quarter, when we faced the breeze, saw us play controlled direct football and with Tom Hoare and Jake winning the midfield battle, our forwards were on the front foot and notched 4 points without reply in the opening 12 minutes.
Our half forward line of Daniel Bowler, Shane McElligott and Gearóid Dillane were to the fore in this period supplying quality ball to the inside line where Darragh O'Connor, in particular, prospered.
Darragh had 3 points on the board, two from play and one from a free, while Tom Hoare slotted a short range free and Daniel Bowler chipped in with a lovely score off his left - initially waved wide by the umpire but over ruled by the referee.
Millltown/Castlemaine's only response in this period was a free from Eanna O'Connor whilst they also hit 3 wides from play.
Jake's dismissal, for a foul on David Roche saw the referee issue a red card which in real time looked harsh - it allowed the opposition to free up a man in defence and our challenge was further undermined when Shane McElligott had to leave the field injured, being replaced by Conor Hayes.
Milltown now added a brace of points and had a goal in the 21st minute through Eanna O'Connor which levelled the tie.
As the clock ticked into the 33rd minute, misfortune befell as a turnover in defence saw the opposition find the net after a bout of inter-passing to leave them in the ascendancy at the short whistle by 3 points, 2-03 to 0-06.
Darragh continued to lead the defence a merry dance, and he slotted over a lovely score on the resumption and with Eanna O'Connor and Barry John exchanging points we were only two behind; again, however we conceded a green flag which was followed by another 1-01 all within the following few minutes which saw us trailing 4-05 to 0-08 at the half way mark.
The final quarter saw us up our game as Milltown had David Roche black carded - Daniel Bowler, playing at wing back sallied forth and kicked a fine point which was followed by another from Conor Hayes; a quick fire movement saw a penalty awarded for a foot block and Ryan Carroll fired past Cormac Leane in the 22nd minute - it was game on now, 4-05 to 1-10 but Milltown now restored to the full complement, saw out the game as both sides traded points.
It was a disappointing result given the good early play but the numerical disadvantage proved too much overall - however, the team and management will have been emboldened by the final quarter resurgence and will face the upcoming game against Rathmore with no little confidence.
Team: Robert O'Connor, Darragh McElligott, Ross O'Callaghan, Stephen Nix, Con Barrett, Ryan Carroll, TJ Heaphy, Tom Hoare ( C), Jake Foley, Daniel Bowler, Shane McElligott, Gearóid Dillane, Gearoid Savage, Barry John Keane, Darragh O'Connor.
Subs used: Conor Hayes, Padraig Griffin, Conor O'Sullivan.
