Killavullen pipped in B final

Newcestown 0-16 Killavullen 1-11

NEWCESTOWN won their first ever County Under 16 B HC title at Pairc Ui Rinn on Friday night when they came from behind to defeat Killavullen. This was a thrilling contest with both sides having their moments. Killavullen got off to a flying start and they had seven points without reply in the opening 13 minutes by Jamie Magnier (3) Patrick O’Grady (2) Conor Griffin and Sean Palmer.

Newcestown made a master move in placing Niall Kelly at wing forward. The Carbery side were wide from a ‘65 and Killavullen keeper James O’Keeffe saved well from Niall Kelly. Both sides had two wides each before Newcestown opened their account in the 20th minute by Niall Kelly.

Once they found their scoring range the winners followed with four more points on the trot all by their outstanding midfielder Richard O’Sullivan as the lead was down to two points by the 25th minute 0-7 to 0-5. Killavullen had their first score in 14 minutes when a foul on Seamus O’Mahony led to a pointed free by Jamie Magnier. Both sides were again off target before late points were exchanged by Niall Kelly and Michael Cagney as Killavullen led at the interval 0-9 to 0-6.

On the changeover Killavullen had three wides in quick succession that proved costly in the end. In the 39th minute Richard O’Sullivan pointed a long range free. O’Sullivan was fouled a minute later and he pointed the resultant free. The same player levelled from a long range free in the 42nd minute.

Entering the final quarter Niall Kelly edged his side ahead for the first time with a massive point from the wing. Richard O’Sullivan pointed a free 0-11 to 0-9. Killavullen regrouped well, Jamie Magnier impressed on the ‘40’. Patrick O’Grady landed a fine point and the Avondhu side went ahead in the 48th minute when Jamie Magnier soloed through a cluster of players and belted to the net 1-10 to 0-11. The Avondhu side were unable to build on this lead and had only one more score.

Newcestown had two wides before Richard O’Sullivan pointed a long range free in the 53rd minute. Killavullen’s final score came from Jamie Magnier after a good solo run. Christopher O’Callaghan made some great clearances for Killavullen as Newcestown piled on the pressure. Richard O’Sullivan pointed a ‘65 and the same player levelled from a free.

Newcestown missed a few chances but they took the lead again in the 6lst minute when O’Sullivan landed a long range free. Niall Kelly sealed the win with a very good point deep in injury time.

Gearoid O h-Ealaithe Leas Cathaoirleach Rebel Og presented the cup to the winning captain Gavin Kelleher. NEWCESTOWN: R McSweeney, D Callanan, G Kelleher, T Kiely, C O’Sullivan, Eoin Calnan, J Kenneally, R O’Sullivan 0-12 (9f, 1 ‘65’), J J Flanagan, D McSweeney, E McSweeney, C O’Donovan, J Burrows, N Kelly 0-4, D Wilson. Sub: C O’Sullivan for D Wilson.

KILLAVULLEN: J O’Keeffe, C Brennan, C O’Callaghan, J Cagney, K Lane, R Barry, S Bartley, M Cagney 0-1, S Palmer 0-1, S O’Mahony, C Griffin 0-1, P O’Grady 0-3, M Walsh, J Magnier 1-5 (0-4f), S Walsh. Sub: C Nagle for S Walsh.

REFEREE: Pat Lyons (Bishopstown)