Two-goal Buttevant see off Killavullen

Buttevant 2-6 Killavullen 0-7

BUTTEVANT are Rebel Og North Minor B FL kingpins following their five point win over Killavullen at Doneraile on Thursday evening. Two early goals set the winners on their way as they led all through.

Michael O’Neill opened with a pointed free for the winners. Good play by Mark Lenahan led to a fine point by O’Neill after seven minutes. Both sides were off target. Killavullen had to wait till the 15th minute for their first score when Jack O’Connor and Eoghan Buckley worked well for Liam Fox who pointed.

A minute later Cian Lankford saved well from mark Lenahan with the rebound coming to Billy Keane who goaled. Mark Lenahan followed with a rapid point. In the 21st minute good play by Paddy Behan and Sean O’Connor led to a second goal by Billy Keane as Buttevant moved 2-3 to 0-1 ahead.

Killavullen lacked power up front, they had a pointed free by the injured Michael Fresh. Buttevant replied with another Michael O’Neill pointed free. In the closing moments Michael Fresh with another pointed free cut the lead at the break 2-4 to 0-3.

On the resumption Killavullen defence tightened up considerably. They held Buttevant to a mere two points. On the other hand Killavullen attack were unable to make any real progress.

They came close to a goal on two occasions but Diarmuid Doody saved well. Killavullen keeper Cian Lankford was also in great form making some excellent saves. The first score of the second half came in the 42nd minute when Michael Fresh pointed a free 2-4 to 0-4.

At the end of the third quarter Michael O’Neill pointed a free with Mark Lenahan following with a pointed free as Buttevant moved 2-6 to 0-4 clear. In the closing moments Killavullen who battled very hard had point by James Fitzpatrick. Good play by Eddie Cotter led to a Jack O’Connor point.

On the stroke of full time James Fitzpatrick completed the scoring with a Killavullen pointed free. There was no denying Buttevant their deserved win.

BUTTEVANT: D Doody, N O’Riordan, J O’Riordan, C Carroll (Capt) C Stanners, P Behan, M Walsh, D McAuliffe, D Keane, S O’Connor, M Lenahan 0-2 (0-1f), J Whelan, G Carey, B Keane 2-0, M O’Neill 0-4 (0-3f) KILLAVULLEN: C Lankford, D Murphy, L Og Nagle, B Cotter, E Birchill,, S Browne, F Magnier, E Cotter, E Buckley, M Fresh 0-3f, L Fox 0-1, J O’Connor 0-1, N O’Neill, J Fitzpatrick 0-2 (0-1f), M O’Connor Sub: S Woulfe for M O’Connor, C O’Connor for N O’Neill

REFEREE: John O’Brien (Ballygiblin)