Killavullen minors hold on to qualify for final

Killavullen 2-19 Castlelyons 2-15

KILLAVULLEN had a four point win over Castlelyons in the Rebel Og Co MHC Div 2 semi final at Ballyhooly on Sunday. This was a keenly contested game with both sides having their moments.

Castlelyons opened with an early point by James Kearney. They came close to a goal after 3 minutes when Cess Kouwenberg worked well with Colm McCarthy only to be denied by Killavullen keeper Padraigh Cronin. Good play by Brian Cotter to Colm Looney led to a foul with Michael O’Connor pointing the free.

The East Cork side hit the front again when Leon Doocey was fouled and Colm McCarthy pointed the free. McCarthy added two rapid points as Castlelyons moved 0-4 to 0-1 clear.

In the 10th minute Leon Doocey with a point edged his side 0-5 to 0-1 clear. Killavullen made a big recovery. Noah Butler pointed and Colm Looney made it 0-5 to 0-3. In the 14th minute good play by Michael O’Connor led to a goal by Colm Looney as the Avondhu side moved ahead 1-3 to 0-5.

Good play by Noah Butler to Liam Fox led to a fine point by Jamie Magnier. Two minutes later Michael O’Connor pointed a free. The same player followed with another pointed free following a foul on Jamie Magnier.

Castlelyons had a pointed free by Colm McCarthy after Evan Lenihan was fouled. Killavullen regrouped well – Darragh O’Grady had three rapid points with Michael O’Connor with a free opening up a lead 1-10 to 0-8 after 26 minutes. Castlelyons conceded a number of frees and Michael O’Connor was very accurate leading 1-12 to 0-8. In the 30th minute a foul on Cess Kouwenberg led to another pointed free by Colm McCarthy that had Killavullen ahead at the break 1-12 to 0-9.

On the resumption Killavullen added an early pointed free. Castlelyons hit a purple patch. They got on top in the half forward line and cut into Killavullen’s lead rapidly. Colm McCarthy pointed a ‘65 and Leon Doocey followed with a goal. Three quickfire points by James Kearney, Colm McCarthy and Richard Morrisson had the sides level 1-13 each after 41 minutes.

Killavullen rallied well. They got on top in vital sectors and Darragh O’Grady had a very good point. Michael O’Connor pointed two frees 1-16 to 1-13. In the 50th minute Michael O’Connor goaled from a penalty and the winners were 2-16 to 1-13 ahead. Michael O’Connor added another free. Good play in the 56th minute by Fionn Magnier to Jamie Magnier led to a 5th point by Darragh O’Grady. Castlelyons battled to the end. They had two points by Colm McCarthy with McCarthy placing James Kearney for a late goal.

Killavullen held out for a win and a place in the county final against Kilara Og. KILLAVULLEN: P Cronin, C Griffin, R Barry, M Looney, C O’Callaghan, F Magnier, B Cotter, M Cagney, M O’Connor 1-10 (0-10f, 1-0 pen), L Fox, D O’Grady 0-5, N Butler 0-1, M Nagle, C Looney 1-2, J Magnier 0-1. Subs: K Lane for M Looney, S O’Mahony for M Nagle, C O’Connor for N Butler,

CASTLELYONS: G O’Neill, S Casey, D Geary, M O’Sullivan, D Morrisson, S Cotter, L Shanahan, E Lenihan, L Doocey 1-1, C McCarthy 0-10 (6f, 1 ‘65’), J Kearney 1-3, R Morrisson 0-1, C Kouwenberg, D Spillane, J Kenny. Sub: O Hallahan for M O’Sullivan (inj)

REFEREE: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth)