Milford through to Arthurs Cup final

December 13, 2018

Danske Bank Arthurs Cup semi-final
Loreto Milford 3-10 Loreto Coleraine 1-3
A GOAL in the 28th minute from Kyle McFadden was key to Loreto Milford sealing a place in Monday’s Danske Bank Arthurs’ Cup final. That score cancelled out a goal for Loreto Coleraine just two minutes earlier from Kosta Papachristopoulos.
Coleraine were playing against a strong breeze during the opening half and were trailing by 1-7 to 0-2 when the Ballerin clubman crashed the ball to the net. A five points’ lead looked vulnerable enough especially with Coleraine get wind assistance after the break.
But McFadden’s strike seemed to suck the air out of the Coleraine challenge and they only scored once more, a point, as Milford’s defence swarmed the player in possession time and again.
It was a strong showing from the Donegal boys with Liam McGrenaghan and Matthew McLaughlin both to the fore, while Coleraine danger man Felix Kilmartin was kept quiet throughout. Emmett Morrison at wing back for Coleraine put in a good shift and took a fine point, while Sean Scullion and Conor Mullins also worked hard, but once Milford got clear before halftime they were hard to open.
Matthew McLaughlin scored Milford’s first goal after 13 minutes and with Kyle McFadden picking off the points from frees they went six points clear before Kilmartin opened Coleraine’s account with a 19th minute point.
The Coleraine goal in the 26th minute momentarily raised expectations for the second half, but McFadden quickly dampened them once more and Milford controlled the last half hour and broke for a third goal in the 55th minute, Ethan Cullen finishing to the net.
St Joseph’s Donaghmore are their next opponents, in the final, with a quick turnaround. Throw in is at 11.30am on Monday in Owenbeg.
Milford : Kyle McFadden 1-4, 0-4 frees, Matthew McLaughlin 1-1, Ethan Cullen 1-1, Dean McBride 0-1, Eoin O’Donnell 0-1, Liam Donnelly 0-1, Liam McGrenaghan 0-1.
Coleraine : Kosta Papachristopoulos 1-0, Felix Kilmartin 0-2, Emmett Morrison 0-1.