Replay heartache for Killavullen

Sarsfields 1-19 Killavullen 1-9

SARSFIELDS were worthy winners over Killavullen in the Cork Co Junior B Inter Divisional Hurling championship final replay at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday.

Killavullen were short the injured Barry Murphy, Seamus Fox and Paddy Nagle, while Ian O’Gorman who was sent off in the drawn final was not eligible. The opening half was very close.

Killavullen were aided by the slight breeze. Sarsfields opened the scoring with a third minute goal when Daniel O’Mahony worked well with John Barry who was denied by Michael Cronin, however the rebound fell kindly to Thomas Mullins who goaled.

David Crowley followed with a quick point. Killavullen opened their account with a Liam Cronin pointed free. Crowley added another for the winners. Good play by Paul O’Sullivan to Bartley Hayes led to a great point by Jack O’Connor.

Patrick Egan followed with a very good point as Killavullen enjoyed their best spell. Eoghan Buckley with a free found Liam Cronin who pointed. In the 15th minute Daniel O’Mahony with a long range point opened up a goal lead 1-4 to 0-4.

Liam Cronin (free) and Jack O’Connor with minors cut the lead to the minimum. Killavullen had two wides before Timmy Murphy placed Daniel O’Mahony who pointed.

The Avondhu side fought back well. Good play by Sean O’Regan led to a great Jack O’Connor goal after 20 minutes. Sarsfields regained parity when O’Mahony pointed a free 1-6 each. Late points by Timmy Murphy and Daniel O’Mahony helped the winners to an interval lead 1-8 to 1-6.

On the resumption good play by Kevin Fox led to a foul on Garry Lane that Liam Cronin converted. Sarsfields took control. They did very well in the half back line and midfield sectors.

Daniel O’Mahony was in great scoring form. Killavullen failed to score again till the 51st minute when substitute Alex Notter pointed.

In between the Imokilly side had 8 points in succession by Daniel O’Mahony (4) Timmy Murphy, Shane O’Driscoll, Aidan Hackett and Ross Hogan to move nine clear 1-16 to 1-7.

Alex Notter pointed with Jack O’Regan having a very good point from a tight angle in the 57th minute. In the 58th minute Daniel O’Mahony pointed a penalty as Sarsfields took the title by a 10 point margin.

After the game Ger Lane Co Board Chairman presented the Cup to the winning captain Brian McCarthy

SARSFIELDS: C Duggan, K Walsh, R Fahy, B McCarthy, E Whooley, C Roche, C Darcy, T Murphy 0-2, E Gaffey, S O’Driscoll 0-1, A Hackett 0-2, D O’Mahony 0-11 (0-4f. 0-1 pen), D Crowley 0-2, J Barry, T Mullins 1-0. Subs: R Hogan 0-1, for J Barry, B Dawson for T Mullins, S Higgins for A Hackett. KILLAVULLEN: M Cronin, B Norris, P Sheehan, G Sheehan, S O’Regan, K Fox, P Angland, E Buckley, L Cronin 0-4 (3f), P Egan 0-1, P O’Sullivan, C Lillis, J O’Connor 1-3, B Hayes, G Lane. Subs: A Notter 0-1, for C Lillis, J Fitzpatrick for P Angland, T O’Regan for B Hayes, P Cronin for P O’Sullivan, J O’Regan for G Lane.

REFEREE: Ken Healy (Ballymartle)