Buttevant win out in disappointing final

Buttevant 3-5 Killavullen 0-5

THE meeting of Buttevant and Killavullen failed to live up to expectations in the Cavanagh’s Fermoy Div 1 FL final at Kildorrery on Friday evening when Buttevant captured the title.

The old saying that goals win matches was certainly the case with Buttevant getting two goals in the opening half that helped build up a sizeable lead while their third goal came deep in injury time in the second half and in the process it sealed victory.

Over the hour both teams kicked some dreadful wides with 28 registered in total – Buttevant having 15 while Killavullen were two less on 13. The early stages saw Buttevant strike for the games opening goal in the eight minute when good work by Tadhg Healy eventually saw Denis O’Connell who was later named ‘man of the match’ get through a crowded Killavullen defence to finish to the net from close range.

Killavullen recorded their first score soon after when Bartley Hayes set up Seamus Fox for a well taken point. Buttevant responded when the impressive John O’Neill kicked over a fine point after receiving a good pass from Kevin Lenahan, Killavullen’s cause wasn’t helped moments later when they had a player sent to the line.

Buttevant capitalized greatly as they took over for a while. They carried to ball to great effect out of the backline and they strongly supported their forwards. However, they were unable to make their dominance count on the scoreboard when accounting for some bad wides.

Sean Madigan had their next score a point in the 19th minute. Four minutes later they struck for their second goal when a mix up in the Killavullen defence saw Tadgh Healy finish to the net following a goal mouth scramble 2-2 to 0-1.

In the closing moments Killavullen created their fair share of chances but they too were very much off target.

The hardworking Anthony O’Neill set up his brother John who kicked a fine point despite the best efforts of the Killavullen defence. In injury time Killavullen had their second point when Liam Cronin and David Brosnan linked up well for Ian O’Gorman who closed the deficit to 2-3 to 0-2 at the interval.

The second half was again much the same trend with chance after chance going a begging. Denis O’Connell with a pointed free extended the winners lead. Killavullen who had five early wides had to wait till the 41st minute for their first score in this half when Liam Cronin and Eoghan Buckley combined well for a well taken Charlie Lillis point 2-4 to 0-3.

Further pressure saw David Brosnan and Liam Cronin with a point each close the lead to 2-4 to 0-5 by the 44th minute. Despite battling to the end this proved to be their last score.

In the last quarter Buttevant created most of the running. Denis O’Connell had a point in the 46th minute. Substitute Brian O’Shaughnessy came close to a goal moments later when his efforts went narrowly wide.

In injury time Buttevant sealed victory when Denis O’Connell scored a cracking goal as they ran deserving winners.

After the game Barry Aherne Chairman of the Avondhu GAA Board presented the Cavanagh’s Fermoy sponsored cup to the victorious captain Micheal Broe.

BUTTEVANT: R Donovan, J O’Riordan, T O’Sullivan, J O’Keeffe, Seamus Madigan, M Broe, D Walsh, A O’Neill, T Healy 1-0, J.D. Murphy, J O’Neill 0-2, K Lenahan, D O’Connell 2-2 (0-1f), K O’Keeffe, Sean Madigan 0-1 Subs: D O’Sullivan for K Lenahan (black card), B O’Shaughnessy for Sean Madigan, A Noonan for M Broe, W Fitzgerald for J O’Neill (inj), C O’Toole for K O’Keeffe (blood sub), F Linehan for J.D Murphy (blood sub)

KILLAVULLEN: M Cronin, D Roche, P Sheehan, S Fox 0-1, P Angland, B Norris, K Fox, C O’Connell, E Buckley, C Lillis 0-1, L Cronin 0-1, I O’Gorman 0-1, J Fitzpatrick, B Hayes, D Brosnan 0-1f Subs: P O’Sullivan for J Fitzpatrick, P Cronin for I O’Gorman, G Sheahan for D Roche, J Sheehan for S Fox

REFEREE: Dave O’Farrell (Jnr) (Mitchelstown)