Killavullen through to club’s first ever county under-21 hurling final
Killavullen 3-16 Whitechurch 1-10
THIS County U-21 BHC semi-final at the 4 G Pitch Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday was a lot closer that the scoreline suggests. Whitechurch opened the scoring by Ronan Murphy (free). Darragh O’Grady pointed for Killavullen with the Seandun side hitting the front again with a ‘65’ by Mark Callanan. Killavullen forced level when Padraigh Looney pointed in the 8th minute.
The Avondhu side hit a purple patch with rapid points by Jack O’Connor and Paul O’Sullivan (2). Darragh O’Grady with a very good point opened up a four point lead. Jason O’Riordan pointed for Whitechurch after good play by impressive Adam Murphy. Michael O’Connor replied from a free. Killavullen keeper Padraigh Cronin saved well from Hugh Woulfe who was put through by James McGrath with the rebound going out for a ‘65 that Mark Callanan converted. In the 25th minute good play by Jack O’Connor led to a Paul O’Sullivan point. Killavullen keeper Padraigh Cronin saved very well from James McGrath At the break the winners led 0-8 to 0-4.
On the changeover Whitechurch came very strong. They had points by Cathal Dennehy and Hugh Woulfe by the 37th minute. Killavullen defence held firm. Outstanding display by Patrick Angland, Fionn Magnier and Michael Fresh kept the Whitechurch attack at bay. Michael
O’Connor pointed a free and when Colm Looney soloed through and belted to the net, Killavullen were double scores ahead 1-9 to 0-6.
The winners had their 2nd goal in the 42nd minute when a long delivery by Eoghan Buckley was finished to the net by Colm Looney. Padraigh Looney added a point 2-10 to 0-6. Entering the final quarter Michael O’Connor landed another free as Killavullen moved 2-11 to 0-6 clear. Whitechurch improved a lot in the last quarter. James McGrath and Hugh Woulfe had a point each. In the 50th minute good play by Callum Kelleher led to a well taken goal by Ronan Murphy.
Whitechurch were unable to get any closer. Colm Looney struck a great point with Mark Callanan replying from a ‘65. Good play by Seamus Fox led to a Colm Looney point. Ronan Murphy had Whitechurch’s last score a pointed free. Killavullen finished out the half with three late points by Michael O’Connor (free) Noah Butler and Eddie Cotter as they held out for a place in the Co final.
KILLAVULLEN: P Cronin, P Angland, F Magnier, M Fresh, S Fox, E Buckley, B Cotter, M O’Connor 0-4f, P O’Sullivan 0-3, P Looney 0-2, L Fox, E Cotter 0-1, D O’Grady 0-2, C Looney 2-2, J O’Connor 1-1. Subs: N Butler 0-1 for E Buckley (blood) E Buckley for N Butler, N Butler for L Fox (inj) B Hunter for M Fresh (inj) S Woulfe for D O’Grady (inj) M Nagle for C Looney, C O’Connor for M O’Connor. WHITECHURCH: D O’Riordan, N Sweeney, D McNamara, C O’Donnell, S Carroll, A Murphy, S O’Reilly, M Callanan 0-3 (0-2 ‘65’s 0-1f), J McGrath 0-1, K Hyde, J O’Riordan 0-1, C Dennehy 0-1, R Murphy 1-2 (0-2f), H Woulfe 0-2, C Kelleher. Sub: F Kelly for D McNamara.
REFEREE: Liam O’Riordan (Belgooly)