Milltown show their spirit

IFC SEMI-FINALS KERRY SIDE Milltown-Castlemaine and Mayo’s Davitts yesterday set up a meeting in the All-Ireland club intermediate…

IFC SEMI-FINALSKERRY SIDE Milltown-Castlemaine and Mayo's Davitts yesterday set up a meeting in the All-Ireland club intermediate football final.

The Kerry team produced a stirring comeback to defeat Craigbane from Derry 1-7 to 1-5 in an engrossing tie at Portlaoise.

Three points from Ian Twiss helped the Kerry side into a 0-4 to 0-2 interval lead.

Lee Moore narrowed the gap and the Ulster champions were dealt a blow when defender Brian Rainey was harshly sent off on a second yellow card after 35 minutes.

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Despite their numerical advantage, Milltown missed several great opportunities and a great point by centre forward Adrian McLoughlin put the teams level.

Lee Moore then put the Derry side in front and when a Kerry defender slipped and fell the same player buried the ball in the net and his side looked home and dry.

But from the kick-out Castlemaine ran downfield for Shane Murphy to hammer a goal past the Derry goalkeeper. Substitute Derek Twiss then fired over two magnificent points and a third by Donal Kelliher put the game beyond the gallant Derry side.

At Tullamore, a man of the match display by corner-forward Michael Conroy helped Davitts to a 2-12 to 0-6 victory over Éire Óg Greystones from Wicklow.

Davitts had the advantage of the strong wind in the first half and Conroy popped over points from play and frees as he racked up an impressive 0-8 total in this game.

Conroy then worked another piece of magic to set up full-forward Fergal McGrath for a goal which gave Davitts a 1-8 to 0-2 interval lead. When David McDonagh added goal number two to make it 2-8 to 0-4 there was no way back for Éire Óg.