MILFORD ARE the first team through to the quarter-finals of the Donegal SFC – and are into the last eight for the first time in the club’s history.
Milford 1-17 Glenfin 3-8
By Chris McNulty at Moyle Park
Nine points from Luke Barrett were ket as Milford held sway in an absorbing contest with Glenfin.
The tie see-sawed right until its close when Milford, finally, prevailed by the skins of their teeth.
Picture: Kane Barrett, who scored Milford’s goal.
The hosts were peering through their fingers in added time.
Gerard Ward’s penalty, two minutes from the end, and a Daniel McGlynn goal, in the last minute, had Glenfin – who had a goal earlier in part two by Stephen Carr – level.
But Milford shook their head with Gary Merritt, Ryan McMahon and, fittingly, Barrett, arching over three points on an historic day for Milford.
Last weekend, Milford record a first win in the senior championship in 26 years as they defeated Four Masters, but Glenfin arrived buoyed by their own stalemate with Glenswilly and a game they could -and perhaps should – have won.
Two long-range arrowed by Jason Morrow had them level here, book-ending Barrett’s early brace.
Glenfin goalkeeper Liam O’Meara saved well from Kane Barrett’s close-range effort, while Glenfin ought to have hit a goal when Ciaran Brady and Daniel McGlynn combined to set up Karl McGlynn, who hit the side-netting.
Brady was last night cleared by the Donegal Hearings Committee having been sent off in last week’s draw with Glenswilly.
Milford finished the first half on top with Barrett (3), Cathal McGettigan and Gary Merritt giving them a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage.
Seven minutes into the second half, Carr drove home after being teed up by Ross Marley.
But Milford hit back in style and, on 46 minutes they struck gold as Kane Barrett finished after a fine move that involved McGettigan and sub Ryan McMahon, who gave a sterling contribution after his introduction.
Six up with 13 minutes left, Milford should have been home and hosed – but Glenfin weren’t going to give in.
Three Ward frees had them right back in it and when Ward smashed in a penalty, after Brady was fouled, the visitors were level.
TJ Evesson momentarily cut the Glenfin rally, but when Gary Dorrian’s high ball was spilled by Caolan McGettigan, Daniel McGlynn seized on the loose ball to hit Glenfin’s third goal.
It was all square and anyone’s game, but that last trio of scores punched Milford’s tickets for the knockout phase.
Milford: Caolan McGettigan; Conor Coll, James Doyle, TJ Evesson (0-1); Conor McHugh, Paddy Peoples, Gavin Grier; Joey Cullen, Luke Barrett (0-9, 3f); Marty Doyle, Christopher Barrett (0-1), Cathal McGettigan (0-1); Daragh Black, Kane Barrett (1-2), Gary Merritt (0-2). Subs: Ryan McMahon (0-1) for McHugh (black card 38), Kyle Black for M.Doyle (54), Rory O’Donnell for D.Black (58), Peter Curran for Grier (58), Shaun Black for K.Barrett (60).
Glenfin: Liam O’Meara; Gary Herron, John Harkin (0-1), Martin O’Donnell; Stephen Carr (1-0), Frank McGlynn, Karl McGlynn; Stephen Ward, Jason Morrow (0-2); Ross Marley, Ciaran Brady, Daniel McGlynn (1-0); Odhran McGlynn, Gerard Ward (1-5, 1-0pen, 5f), Aaron McGlynn. Sub: Gary Dorrian for Marley (50).
Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada).
