Charleville hold out for close win
AVONDHU JAFC SEMI-FINAL
Charleville 1-9 Kilworth 0-11
CHARLEVILLE were pushed all the way by Kilworth in the JAFC semi-final at Kildorrery on Saturday. The winners entered this game as firm favourites and looked impressive in the opening minutes.
They had their opening score a goal by Mark Kavanagh after four minutes following good link up play by Conor Buckley and Tim Hawe.
Jack Callaghan followed with a pointed free. Kilworth opened with a Brian Sheehan point. Good play by Conor Buckley and Jack Meade placed Jack Callaghan who was denied by a great save by Jamie Sheehan. James O’Brien pointed for Charleville. Good play by Liam Whelan and Paddy Moakley led to Whelan taking the return pass and pointing. Pointed frees were exchanged by Brian Sheehan and Jack Callaghan. Nathan Byrne pointed a Kilworth ‘45. Charleville replied with Tim Hawe placing Darren Butler for a fine point. Eoin Carey followed with a long range point that left the winners ahead at the break 1-5 to 0-6.
Jack Meade pointed on the changeover after good play by Mark Kavanagh and Tim Hawe. Kilworth were reduced to 14 players but came very strong. Will Condon and Brian Sheehan pointed frees. Charleville replied when Simon Gleeson and James O’Brien combined for Mark Kavanagh to send over 1-7 to 0-8. Brian Sheehan with two frees had them level at the water break 1-7 to 0-10.
Early on the restart Kilworth took the lead through a Brian Sheehan free. This however was their last score. They had a few wides and were also denied by the post. Charleville regrouped well. Good play by Jack Callaghan secured an equalising point by Darren Butler. Danny Flynn worked well for Tim Hawe who edged the winners ahead. Kilworth tried very hard to force extra time. However in a tense last five minutes it was Charleville who held out for a close win and a place in the final. CHARLEVILLE: Jesse Smith, Adam Barrett, Michael O’Flynn, James Kennedy, Simon Gleeson, Jack Meade 0-1, Brian O’Connell, Tim Hawe 0-1, Jack Barry, Mark Kavanagh 1-1 Conor Buckley, Jack Callaghan 0-2f, James O’Brien 0-1, Darren Butler 0-3, Sean Buckley. Sub: Danny O’Flynn for Conor Buckley.
KILWORTH: J Sheehan, D O’Regan, T Twomey, K Twomey, M O’Callaghan, D Twomey, P Moakley, N Byrne 0-1 ‘45’, A O’Hara, J McCarthy, L Whelan 0-1, E McGrath, B Sheehan 0-6 (5f), W Condon 0-2 (1f), L Coffey. Subs: E Carey 0-1 for N Byrne (blood), E Carey for K Twomey, N McNamara for D O’Regan.
REFEREE: Colm Maher (Buttevant)