Munster crown for Killavullen

Killavullen 0-10 Thurles Sarsfields 0-5

KILLAVULLEN maintained Cork clubs’ recent good form in the Munster JBHC final at Killeedy on Sunday when they overcame Thurles Sarsfields by a five point margin. In 2016 Shanballymore took the Provincial title with Whitechurch being Munster champions last year.

The game was played in windy wintry conditions. There was a cross wind that favoured the Avondhu side in the opening half. Killavullen led from start to finish. Good play by impressive Ian O’Gorman led to an early opening point by Charlie Lillis.

Barry Murphy pointed a free after a foul on Charlie Lillis. The Avondhu side were wide from a number of frees. Good play by Liam Cronin led to the winners third point in the 12th minute. Thurles also missed a few chances.

The Mid Tipperary side had their opening score a point by Matthew Kelly after 21 minutes play. Impressive team captain David Bourke pointed a free as Thurles came within a point. Killavullen regrouped well.

Their half-backs were very solid and Eoghan Buckley landed a long range point. Good play by Liam Cronin to Ian O’Gorman led to another free and Barry Murphy made it 0-5 to 0-2. In the closing moments Liam Cronin pointed two frees as Killavullen led 0-7 to 0-2 at the break.

The winners lead did not seem sufficient entering the second half against the wind and driving rain. Another foul on Ian O’Gorman led to Barry Murphy pointing a free. Pa Crone cut through the centre but his effort went narrowly wide.

In the 40th minute Barry Murphy landed another pointed free after Ian O’Gorman was fouled. Thurles never gave up battling to the end. They were narrowly wide by Stephen Fewer.

In the 43rd minute David Bourke pointed a free with Matthew Kelly with a point two minutes later cutting the lead to five points 0-9 to 0-4. Thurles made some valiant attempts to secure a goal to bring them back into contention.

They were denied many times with Pa Sheehan outstanding and Sean O’Regan, Kevin Fox, Seamus Fox, Patrick Angland and Billy Norris all making vital clearances that kept the Thurles attack at bay.

Mark Purcell came through with a great attack but Pa Sheehan stood firm and made a vital clearance. Both sides made a few changes. David Bourke was denied from a free by Michael Cronin.

David Bourke was narrowly wide in the 54th minute but followed with a pointed free a minute later. Barry Murphy sealed victory for Killavullen with a long range pointed free in the 60th minute against the elements.

Five minutes of extra time were played. In this period Thurles tried very hard, they did not have the scoring power up front and it was Killavullen who held out for a deserved win.

After the game Canon Willie Fitzmaurice presented the Michael Fitzmaurice Memorial Cup to the winning captain Pa Sheehan in the presence of Jerry O’Sullivan Chairman Munster Council, John Cregan Chairman Limerick GAA, Barry Aherne Chairman Avondhu GAA Board and Majella Scanlon, Chairperson Killeedy GAA.

Outstanding midfielder Liam Cronin was ‘named man of the match’. Killavullen now go through to the All Ireland semi final against Kilnadeema-Leitrim (Galway) on Sunday February 4 while Thurles Sarsfields will play John Lockes (Kilkenny) the same day. Scorers

KILLAVULLEN : Barry Murphy 0-5 (0-4f. Liam Cronin 0-2f, Eoghan Buckley 0-2, Charlie Lillis 0-1

THURLES Sarsfields : David Bourke 0-3f. Matthew Kelly 0-2

KILLAVULLEN: Michael Cronin, Billy Norris, Pa Sheehan, Patrick Angland, Sean O’Regan, Kevin Fox, Seamus Fox, Eoghan Buckley, Liam Cronin, Paul O’Sullivan, Ian O’Gorman, Charlie Lillis, Jack O’Connor, Barry Murphy, Garry Lane Subs: Bartley Hayes for Garry Lane, James Fitzpatrick for Jack O’Connor

THURLES SARSFIELDS: Matt O’Brien, Garry Healy, John Lillis, Peter Maher, Glen Kerrigan, Stephen Fewer, Tom Tierney, David Bourke, Jim Corbett, Pa Crone, Conor Moloney, Jack O’Dwyer, Matthew Kelly, Matthew Fogarty, Seamie Doyle Subs:

Mark Purcell for Seamie Doyle, John Callanan for Matthew Fogarty, T J O’Dwyer for Jack O’Dwyer, Christopher Carew for Matt O’Brien (inj)

REFEREE: Michael Meade (Ballylanders)