Killavullen prevail in extra-time

Killavullen 2-18 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 1-17

KILLAVULLEN in their first year in JAHC for many years had a win over Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels at Doneraile on Sunday. The sides were level on 6 occasions with Killavullen finishing well in extra time. The winners lost three key players through injury Barry Murphy, Ian O’Gorman and their captain Pa Sheehan. Good play in the opening minutes by Pa Egan led to a first score by Michael Fresh. Daniel Relihan levelled after three minutes.

Killavullen edged ahead when Barry Murphy pointed a free. Ian O’Gorman made it 0-3 to 0-1. Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels had a pointed free by Colin O’Brien. Liam Cronin replied for Killavullen. A sideline cut for the Gaels by Colin O’Brien was sent over by Daniel Relihan. Thomas Fitzgibbon levelled at 0-4 each after 18 minutes.

Killavullen hit the front again with a Barry Murphy pointed free. The Gaels took the lead when Daniel Curtin struck a great goal. In the 25th minute Gaels were a goal clear when Daniel Relihan, David O’Brien and Shane Coleman all worked hard for Kieran Curtin who pointed. In the 27th minute Barry Murphy and Liam Coleman combined well for Jack O’Connor who netted 1-5 each. Colin O’Brien with a Gaels point gave his side an interval lead 1-6 to 1-5.

On the resumption Gaels did well. Daniel Relihan and Colin O’Brien added a point each. Liam Cronin pointed a free for Killavullen. Good play by Thomas Fitzgibbon led to a fine point by Daniel Relihan. Both sides had wides before a foul on Seamus Fox led to a free by Ian O’Gorman who picked out Charlie Lillis who pointed.

Both sides exchanged a point with Seamus Fox pointing a free closing the gap to a point after 55 minutes. Good play by Thomas Fitzgibbon led to a fine point by Evan Coleman. Gaels moved 3 points clear when Paul Cantillon worked well for Thomas Fitzgibbon who made it 1-13 to 1-10. Three late pointed frees by Liam Cronin had the sides level at

1-13 each. Michael Fresh was put through in the dying moments but his shot at goal from close range was well saved by Padraigh Morrissey. Deep in injury time Colin O’Brien pointed a free and seemed to have given victory to the Gaels. Paul O’Sullivan levelled deep in injury time forcing extra time 1-14 each.

A foul on Michael Fresh led to a pointed free by Liam Cronin. Colin O’Brien with a free for the Gaels had the sides level at the break 1-15 each.

The advantage seemed to be with the strong Gaels side. Both sides had wides on the resumption. Colin O’Brien edged Gaels in front and when Kieran Curtin had a massive point in the 7th minute Gaels were 1-17 to 1-15 clear. Killavullen finished very strong. Sean O’Regan was excellent with the Fox brothers Seamus and Kevin turning massive displays. Good play by Kevin Fox to Alex Notter, Seamus Fox and Charlie Lillis led to a brilliant goal by Eddie Cotter as Killavullen moved 2-15 to 1-17 ahead. Sean O’Regan worked well for Seamus Fox who pointed. Kevin Fox gained possession from the puck out and placed Liam Cronin who pointed.

In the closing moments Michael Fresh forced a ‘65 that Liam Cronin converted. In injury time Alex Notter was denied by the woodwork with Killavullen holding out for a good win in the end.

KILLAVULLEN: Michael Cronin, Patrick Angland, Pa Sheehan, Billy Norris, Sean O’Regan, Kevin Fox, Pa Egan, Seamus Fox 0-3 (2f), Liam Cronin 0-8 (5f, 1 ‘65’), Eddie Cotter 1-0, Ian O’Gorman 0-1, Paul O’Sullivan 0-1, Jack O’Connor 1-0, Barry Murphy 0-2f, Michael Fresh 0-1. Subs: Charlie Lillis 0-1 for Pa Sheehan (inj), Alex Notter for Barry Murphy (inj), Padraigh Looney 0-1 for Jack O’Connor, Jack O’Connor for Ian O’Gorman (inj).

LISCARROLL/CHURCHTOWN GAELS: Padraigh Morrissey, David O’Brien, Paraic Egan, Paul Cantillon, Diarmuid Fisher, Tim Egan, Pauric O’Shea, Evan Coleman 0-1, Daniel Relihan 0-4, Thomas Fitzgibbon 0-2, John Breen, Colin O’Brien 0-7 (5f, 1 ‘65’), Shane Coleman 0-1, Kieran Curtin 0-2, Daniel Curtin 1-0. Subs: Sean Murphy for John Breen, Thomas Fehin for Daniel Relihan (inj), Michael Hedigan for Diarmuid Fisher, Eugene Barrett for Sean Murphy.

REFEREE: Dwaine Collins (Charleville)