Killavullen
GAA ACTION
COUNTY LEAGUE – ROUND 5: In Blarney on last Wednesday night, Killavullen had a blistering start which was key to securing the latest win in the Cork County junior B Hurling League. The final score was 0-15 to 0-09.
This was our first game of Hurling since the County Final win, on July 16, and at times, our touch and delivery was not as crisp as we would like, but considering the long break, that was to be expected.
We started with a point from Ian O’Gorman, and followed up quickly with a point from Liam Cronin. Charlie Lillis was instrumental in setting up Alex Notter for the third point in the eighth minute. Ian gained another point after a flowing move from Billy Norris to Patrick Angland, infield then to Kevin Fox, and the ball ended up smartly with Ian, who dispatched it over the bar.
The next score was the best score of the game, when Patrick Angland set off down his wing, and his searing pace carried him clear of the pursuers, and he still had the composure to drive the ball over the bar from right out on his wing. Séamus Fox then controlled a ball well on his stick following a cross field pass from Pa Egan, and fed Ian O’Gorman to slot over another point, and then, Ian scored a close in free, after Barthly Hayes had caught a ball cleanly, and turned for goal, only to be fouled.
After 20 minutes, we led by 0-08 to 0-0. Alex Notter scored a nice point then after being set up by James Fitzpatrick. Blarney started their scoring from a free, and followed up with a nice point from their centre forward. The game became much more competitive from then till the end, with Blarney making some astute positional changes to counteract our scoring threats. Séamus Fox scored for us, to reflect his general good play, after a cross field ball from Dave Brosnan found him in space. Blarney scored from a 65 Metre shot, and we counteracted that score with another point, his third of the half from Alex. Blarney had the last score of the second half to leave the score at the break, 0-11 to 0-04.
Blarney was quickly into their stride in the second half and scored three points in quick succession. Ian O’Gorman got a point back to arrest the slide, and then Liam Cronin added another. Pa Sheehan and Paddy Nagle were playing well in the full back line, and Blarney never got in for a goal, despite trying very hard. Our quick and accurate puck outs from our goalie, Mick Cronin set up numerous chances for us, but we were a tad wasteful in this period, and never scaled the heights of the opening 20 minutes.
Blarney added two further points, before Barry Murphy was sprung from the bench to score two points in quick succession to leave the final score at 0-015 to 0-09.
This was a workmanlike display from the team, and short of a number of leaving certificate students, others players stepped forward and showed up well on the night.
DEFEAT IN MINOR B FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Killavullen were defeated by Buttevant in the final of the Minor B Grade Football league final, played in Doneraile last Thursday night (17th) in Doneraile. This game was well attended, even if hastily arranged. The final score was 2-06 to 0-07.
Buttevant elected to play with the wind in the first period, and had the only score in the second minute from a free. Buttevant scored again in the sixth minute and though we were trying hard, we were light weight in attack compared to the Buttevant defence. Cian Lankford made a very good save but the signs were ominous, and our rear guard was breached in the 16th minute, a goal that should have been cleared but we dallied, and the ball was forced over the line, despite the best efforts of Brian Cotter.
Liam Fox used his strength to score a good point in the 17th minute after good interlink play with Eoin Birchill. Buttevant got that score back in the 20th minute with a point of their own. Our opponents then got a telling score in the 23rd minute, another goal, which was crucial.
Mike Fresh was being fouled continuously without the ball, and the referee awarded us a close end free eventually in the 25th minute, which the same player converted himself. Buttevant scored again in the 26th minute and the final score of the half was another free from Mike Fresh. The score at the interval was 2-04 to 0-03.
On the change over and with the wind, we came much more into the game. Eoghan Buckley and Eddie Cotter came much more into the game, and set up numerous attacks, but the physicality of Buttevant was an issue for us. For all of our pressing, all that we could muster was another free from Mike in the 10th minute. Some black cards were warranted at this stage but they were not forthcoming, and the aggression continued. Buttevant scored a break away point in the 12th minute. We introduced Seán Woulfe for Mikey O’Connor, and we upped the intensity again, with Fionn Magner, Darren Murphy and Brian Cotter now bettering their direct opponents, we had a good launch-pad.
We failed to break down their resolute defence, and their goalie made two good saves from Mike Fresh and James Fitzpatrick. James flashed a ball over the bar in the 25th minute, and immediately afterwards, Jack O’Connor turned sharply and got another point back. Buttevant got a close in free, and James got the last score of the game in the 31st minute.
Note – Afterwards the board delegate praised both teams for lining out, only one day after their leaving certificate results were released. A person would have to query the urgency of playing the game then, when if more time was allowed, a bigger audience could be generated.
UNDER-14S THROUGH TO THE LEAGUE FINAL – KILLAVULLEN 4-11, BALLYCASTLE GAELS 1-13: Killavullen had a good win over Ballycastle Gaels in the semi-final of the under-14 hurling league played at Glanworth, on Saturday last, the 19th. Ballycastle Gaels had a strong breeze behind them in the opening half and registered two long range points before Killavullen responded with two points of their own. Killavullen struck for a goal after 14 minutes but this was quickly cancelled out when Ballycastle Gaels raised a green flag to leave the score line 1.02 apiece. Both teams added a number of points to leave the half time score Killavullen 1.08, Ballycastle Gaels 1.07.
Playing with the aid of the breeze in the second half Killavullen struck for the two early points only for Ballycastle Gaels to responded with a brace of their own to tie the game at 1.10 apiece. Two well taken goals by Killavullen ensured a six point lead but Ballycastle Gaels pressed forward and narrowed the margin to four points. In the closing moments Killavullen struck for their fourth goal to ensure victory and a place in the league final.
FORTHCOMING JUVENILE/ ADULT FIXTURES: Killavullen v Araglin, North Cork Junior B Hurling Championship in Glanworth on Saturday, August 26, at 6.00 PM; Killavullen V Ballycastle Gaels, under-18 League Hurling Final on Thursday, August 24, in Glanworth at 7 p.m.; Killavullen v St Kevin’s, under-14 Hurling Championship on Monday, August 28 (venue to be confirmed) at 7 p.m.
All underage leagues are now reaching their conclusion, with a good healthy involvement of Killavullen teams. Dates are fluid depending on permutations; so, please check the Killavullen Webpage for clarification – killavullengaa.com.
LOTTO
The jackpot of €1,800 was not won last Tuesday night. The numbers drawn were 4, 28 and 32 the draw was held in Griffins Bar. The lucky-dip winners were: €50 – Ger Kingston (seller – John Magner); €30 – Mary Sexton (seller – Griffins Bar); €20 – Jimmy Power (seller – John Angland). The next draw will take place on August 22, with Packie and Carol in the Haven Bar.
LEAVING CERT RESULTS
Congratulations to all of our players and supporters who obtained their Leaving Certificate Results last Wednesday. Some sparkling results obtained, which only demonstrates that, not only have we got fine players, but the results gave us confirmation, that we have intelligent ones also.
Let us know that the college courses and paths in life that they choose will be satisfying and rewarding to them all.