Killavullen win a high scoring finale

Killavullen 2-21 Ballyhea 2-16

THIS Cavanagh’s Fermoy Division 2 HL final at Buttevant on Sunday was keenly contested particularly in the first half.

Ballyhea had the breeze in the opening half. Diarmuid O’Shaughnessy opened with a point with Barry Murphy levelling in the fourth minute. Barry Murphy with a free edged Killavullen ahead.

Ballyhea responded with Neil Ronan working well for Diarmuid O’Shaughnessy who goaled. Both sides exchanged points with Ballyhea ahead by a point after 25 minutes. In the closing moments Ballyhea’s Neil Ronan and Eamon O’Sullivan with points had them 1-11 to 1-8 clear at the break.

Exchanges were close again on the resumption with both sides trading points. By the 43rd minute they were level 1-12 each. The youthful Killavullen side did well in the last quarter.

They got on top in the half-back line and midfield sectors and had some good points mainly by Liam Cronin and Barry Murphy. When Liam Cronin goaled in the 50th minute they moved 2-17 to 1-13 clear.

In the closing moments Ballyhea had a goal from a 21-metre free by Neil Ronan. A long range point by Eddie Cotter ensured Killavullen took the title. They will compete in Division 1 HL for 2019.

After the game Barry Aherne Board Chairman presented the cup to Liam Cronin who was also ‘named man of the match’.

C Lankford, B Norris, K Fox, P Angland, P Egan, S Fox, S O’Riordan, P O’Sullivan, C Lillis 0-2, P Looney 0-1, E Cotter 0-3, L Cronin 1-6 (0-4f), J O’Connor 1-1, P Cronin, B Murphy 0-8 (5f) Subs: I O’Gorman for P Cronin, T Moakley for B Murphy, M Fresh for P O’Sullivan, E Buckley for P Egan, S Woulfe for J O’Connor

BALLYHEA: D O’Riordan, L O’Shea, S Dennehy, M Crowley, T O’Sullivan, N Crowley, W Carroll, J O’Leary 0-1, T Foley, R Hanley, N Ronan 1-9 (1-5f, 0-4 ‘65’), E O’Sullivan 0-3, J O’Sullivan 0-1, D O’Shaughnessy 1-2, M Mortell Subs: E Rea for R Hanley, R Hanley for T O’Sullivan

REFEREE: Colm Maher (Buttevant)