Buttevant claim first ever JAFC title
Buttevant 2-13 Kilworth 1-9
THERE were scenes of wild excitement in Killavullen on Saturday as Buttevant were crowned JAFC winners for the first time ever. Over the hour the winners were the better side but found it hard to see off a Kilworth side that battled to the end.
The winners had their first goal in the second minute when J D Murphy and Ryan Fowley worked a good movement that led to a well taken goal by Kevin O’Keeffe. Seamus Madigan followed with a point. Good play by John Buckley to John O’Neill led to Ryan Fowley cutting through and forcing a ‘45’ that was converted by Seamus Madigan.
Kilworth opened their account in the eighth minute when Jason McCarthy pointed a free after a foul on Eoin McGrath. Kilworth had two wides before
Buttevant in a great movement out of defence by Tadhg Sullivan, Kevin O’Keeffe, J D Murphy and John O’Neill all worked very hard for Denis O’Connell who pointed 1-3 to 0-1 after 13 minutes. John O’Neill added a point. Kilworth rallied well. They won a lot of possession in midfield created a number of chances but had too many wides. Brian Sheehan pointed.
In the 16th minute a good movement by David Walsh to John O’Neill led to a great point by Denis O’Connell. Brian Sheehan pointed a Kilworth free. Kilworth forced a penalty that Jason McCarthy converted. Denis O’Connell pointed a late Buttevant free with Kilworth coming within 3 points at the break when Will Condon placed Eoin McGrath for a great point 1-7 to 1-4 at the break.
On the resumption Kilworth’s Brian Sheehan made a fine interception and was fouled and the same player left just two points between the sides from the free. Just when it looked like Kilworth were going to get on terms it was Buttevant who thundered into the game with Tadhg Sullivan, Miceal Broe, J D Murphy, Tadhg Healy, John O’Neill, and Ryan Fowley excelling. Ryan Fowley soloed through and kicked a massive point. Kilworth keeper Pat O’Brien saved from Seamus Madigan. In the 41st minute Tom Twomey pointed a long range Kilworth free. Sean O’Flynn pointed for Buttevant.
Entering the final quarter John O’Neill worked well on the flank to put Ryan Fowley in for a fine point that opened up a four point lead 1-10 to 1-6. Fowley added an other point. Tom Twomey who was now operating on the ‘40’ pointed a Kilworth free 1-11 to 1-7. Sean Madigan pointed from a difficult angle after a three-man attack. Ryan Fowley had a Buttevant goal as they moved 2-12 to 1-7 clear.
Buttevant defended in great numbers as Kilworth tried very hard for a goal. A free by Tom Twomey was pointed but Kevin Lenahan with a free replied as the winners completed their scoring.
In the closing moments Kilworth tried in vain for that elusive goal they so badly needed to have any real chance of making a good finish. Tom Twomey completed the scoring with an injury time pointed free.
Mairead Cotter on behalf of the sponsors Synergy Fermoy Credit Union presented the cup to the winning captain Miceal Broe in the presence of Board Chairman Barry Aherne. Ryan Fowley was named ‘man of the match’.
BUTTEVANT: R Donovan, J O’Keeffe, T Sullivan, J O’Riordan, D Walsh, J Buckley, M Broe, A O’Neill, T Healy, J O’Neill 0-1, R Fowley 1-3, J D Murphy, D O’Connell 0-3 (1f), K O’Keeffe 1-1, Seamus Madigan 0-2. Subs: B O’Shaughnessy for J Buckley, S O’Flynn 0-1 for D Walsh, Sean Madigan 0-1 for K O’Keeffe, K Lenahan 0-1f for D O’Connell, B Jones for J O’Neill.
KILWORTH: P O’Brien, A O’Hara, D Twomey, D O’Regan, L Whelan, T Twomey 0-4f, C Gowen, E McGrath 0-1, James McCarthy, H Allen, P Moakley, W Condon, B Sheehan 0-3 (2f), K Lane, Jason McCarthy 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1f). Subs: M O’Connor for D O’Regan, J Sheehan for Jason McCarthy, B Tobin for Jason McCarthy, G Heskin for L Whelan, J Twomey for D Twomey.
REFEREE: L Dave Farrell Jnr (Mitchelstown)