Joyce makes a telling contribution

Galway SFC Final/Killererin 1-9 Milltown 0-10:Killererin captured their fifth title with a deserved victory over a Milltown side bidding for their first crown since 1981.

And once more it was their most famous player, Padraic Joyce, who produced the goods when it mattered most, following a season when they came back from seemingly impossible positions in the quarter- and semi- finals.

Joyce captained the side and picked up the man-of-the-match award as Killererin killed off the hopes of a Milltown side looking for their third title.

Killererin looked set for an easy win when they led by 1-7 to 0-4 at the break but Milltown came storming back in the second half with a wind at their backs.

But Joyce's experience was to prove crucial and he took control of the game at vital junctures to ensure that they secured the crown.

Killererin have come back from the dead in matches several times this season but in the final they led from early on and never allowed Milltown get on top.

Milltown, appearing in their first final in 20 years, needed a good start and they got that in the form of points from Fergal Nicholson and Damien Brennan after Joyce had landed a free in the first minute.

But Milltown were stunned after nine minutes when Joyce set up All-Ireland minor winner Tomas Fahy who blasted home a superb goal.

Milltown responded well initially with Brennan getting his second point and Ciarán Murphy converting a free to make it 1-2 to 0-4 after 14 minutes but Milltown were not to score again in the opening half.

Killererin, dominating in the midfield exchanges, took control and while Darren Mullaghy kept his county colleague Nicky Joyce quiet, they were unable to control his cousin, Padraic. He kicked a great point from 50 yards before Milltown suffered a big set-back when former All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Alan Keane did superbly to deny Sean Hehir from close range.

Jonathan Keane increased Killererin's lead following a disruption after one of several dust-ups broke out, while Padraic Joyce held off three challenges to kick another point.

They finished the half strongly with Padraic and Nicky Joyce landing points to give them a six-point interval advantage.

Padraic Joyce added a superb point from the right after the break before 23 barren minutes were ended for Milltown when John Cullinane pointed a 21-yard free.

That sparked the best spell of the game for Milltown with Cullinane adding two more frees and Murphy getting one from the right to reduce the deficit to a goal with 10 minutes remaining.

The next score was going to be vital and it was Padraic Joyce who seized the moment to make it 1-9 to 0-8 with a 35-yard free.

Milltown never gave up and points from the impressive Darren Mullaghy and Cullinane ensured an exciting finish but Killererin kept their nerve to take their first crown since 2004.

KILLERERIN: A Keane; D Flaherty, M Mitchell, D Kelly; I Reddington, T Joyce (0-1), J Mannion; T Hughes, M Keane; J Keane (0-1), P Joyce (0-6, three frees), T Flynn; S Hughes, N Joyce (0-1, free), T Fahy (1-0).

MILLTOWN: G Bowens; B Molloy, R McEvoy, B McGrath; M Flannery, D Blake, D Mullaghy (0-1); J Devane, C Blake; P Glynn, J Cullinane (0-4, all frees), D Brennan (0-2); C Murphy (0-2, both frees), S Hehir, F Nicholson (0-1). Sub: S Waldron for Nicholson (55 mins).

Referee: T Kerin.