Milltown followed up their one-point win over Caherlistrane with a comprehensive 1-14 to 0-8 victory over a disappointing An Cheathrú Rua in Pearse Stadium on Sunday to qualify for the last four in the race for the county title.
Michael Martin, who is showing a return to top form, hit a terrific goal in the first half from full-forward as his side led by 1-7 to 0-5 at half time.
All-Ireland u-21 winner Mark Hehir was impressive at centre-forward for Cathal Sheridan’s side in the second half and he hit three fine scores as well as linking the play very well.
Others who did well for the 1971 and 1981 county championship winners were Ciarán Blake, team captain Dermot Forde, Darren Mullahy, Diarmuid Blake, John Martin at wing-back, John Devane (in the first half ), and corner forward Fergal Nicholson, who hit a few nice points.
An Cheathrú Rua will be disappointed with their display and their main threat came from team captain Niall Ó Brian at full-forward.
The outcome had been well decided before the final whistle and everyone knew it.
Milltown are a rapidly improving team and if they have everyone, including the lively Seán Hehir for the semi-final, they will fancy their chances.
In the other quarter-final, Corofin drew with Claregalway 0-11 each.
Corofin had led by four points at half time, 0-9 to 0-5, but good displays by Barry Cullinane and Adrian Faherty, who scored four points, meant the championship favourites were reined in and wing-back Conor Glynn kicked the equaliser.
No date has been fixed for that replay. With Claregalway’s Seán Moran involved with Tommie Joyce’s minors in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday week against Dublin, it will probably not be fixed until early September.
