Shield success for fine minor hurling team
On Sunday last, in a bitterly cold and windswept Glanworth pitch, which held up very well to the unsavoury conditions, Killavullen defeated Ballycastle in the Shield final of this minor A hurling championship. This win replicated the win in the round-robin series, but the conditions were so different to the balmy evening in Ballyhooly, the last time round.
Ballycastle started brightly and playing against the win, in the opening half, and it was a swirling tricky wind at that, they held the lion’s share of possession in the opening 10 minutes. They manufactured two close in frees with their direct running style, and in Dan Roche they have an ace free taker. Eoin O’Hanlon got our opening score, coincidentally just when the streaming service of the game, which Joe Howard and John Hannon organised, went live. Network issues precluded the streaming of the opening 7 minutes. The surface was very greasy, but it was the breeze that was very hard to judge. Luke Burnett in the Ballycastle rear guard caught the eye at this juncture. Killavullen got their second score from Shane Walsh who seized on a wayward clearance to send the ball over the bar. Killavullen took the lead from the resultant puck out when Darragh O’Grady who had a profound influence on the game, sent a lovely ball over the bar from distance. A feature of the game was the hooking and blocking of both sets of players, and the tendency of the play to be played at the town side of the Glanworth pitch, due to the wind. Dylan Collins raced through the heart of the Killavullen defence, but James O’Keeffe in our goals reacted well, and blocked his shot with his feet. The ball was not cleared that far, and Killavullen coughed up another free, that Dan Roche converted again.
Killavullen took the lead again from Darragh again when he put a ball just inside the post, and held that score to the opening water break. Dan Roche took an exemplary free from well out the field and sent the low trajectory shot over the bat to equalise. Killavullen took the lead again when Jamie converted a free after Michael Cagney had been fouled initially. Our next point came about when Seamus O Mahony gathered the puck out, which held up in the wind, and he released the ball to Mark Nagle who fired economically over the bar. A feature of the game now was the dominance of Brian Cotter in the centre back berth for Killavullen, he was magnificent throughout the game but especially so when Killavullen were under the cosh.
Behind him, Conor Griffin, Sean Palmer and Sean Barthly had to be very resolute in their defending. On the half line, Eoin Birchill and Ronan Barry played well also in the testing conditions. Shane Walsh pressurised the Ballycastle rear guard to concede a 65 metre shot after pursuing a ball that was going harmlessly wide. Jamie converted that shot to push us out to a 0-7 to 0-04 lead. Dan Roche judged a long distance free to perfection to reduce the arrears to 2 point, in the 28th minute and got another free when Eoin Twomey was fouled to bring the deficit down to the minimum at half time 0-07 to 0-06.
Dylan Collins got the opening score of the second half to equalise, but we took the lead again, when a free from Jamie Magner held up in the wind, and Seamus O’Mahony reacted best to the dropping ball, and his goal-bound shot was forced over the line by an alert Mark Nagle from his corner forward berth. Killavullen got the following score, after another majestic catch in the air by Brian from the long puck out. Brian fed the ball to Seamus, who slipped a heavy challenge and released the ball from the ground, and Darragh O’Grady seized on it, and sent it over the bar. Ballycastle responded with another point after we had defeated a dangerous dipping free from Dan Roche well, with Conor Griffin prominent. 1-08 to 0-08 at this stage. Darragh O’Grady got fouled on our 45 metre line, and Jamie Magner sent the free over the bar with a sweet strike against the wind. Ballycastle got the next point from a free again and a long puck out travelled in the wind and our backs were strong to prevent a score after another free dropped short. Shane Walsh, back tracking, gave an immense help to the defenders. Jamie got the next score from an impossible angle from another free to push out our lead again to 4 points, 1-10 to 0-09.
Darragh was fouled in front of the Killavullen dug out, and from the resultant free, which was tailing wide due to the gusting wind, Mark Nagle kept the ball in play and batted it back towards the goal where Colm Looney was on it like a flash, and powered it to the net. That was the score at the next water break, 2-10 to 0-09.
Eoin Birchill and our halfback line were good in the last quarter, with Michael Cagney doing a lot of hard work in this period, to assist his midfield partner Darragh O’Grady. Mark Nagle snapped up another point before being replaced by Colin Carey and Ben Hunter replaced the hard working and very effective Shane Walsh. Jamie got another point to bring our tally to 2-12. Kian Lane also came into the game to replace Sean Bartley. Jamie Magner belied his age and size and stood up manfully as they game petered out somewhat as a contest. Ballycastle did manufacture a goal right at the dead, from an acute angle, but Killavullen had done enough to win.
The Killavullen Management structure of Dave Brosnan, and his background team of Kevin Rice, Finny Magner and Kevin O’Regan deserve enormous praise for keeping a tight group together in this strangest of years, and gave us enormous pleasure in following them, and seeing them when possible. Killavullen have forged a fine team at this age group, with stylish hurlers with a good work ethic.
Team: James O’Keeffe, Sean Palmer, Conor Griffin, Sean Bartley, Eoin Birchill, Brian Cotter, Ronan Barry, Michael Cagney, Darragh O’Grady (0-03), Jamie Magner (0-5, 0-05F), Shane Walsh (0-01), Eoin O’Hanlon (0-01), Mark Nagle (1-02), Seamus O’Mahony and Colm Looney (1-00). Subs: Colin Carey for Mark Nagle, Ben Hunter for Shane Walsh and Kian Lane for Sean Bartley
U14 SUCCESS FOR KILLAVULLEN GIRLS
Our girls took to the field in Glantane to take on Kilshannig last Thursday night. This game would determine who would top the table and become the league winners. So, we knew the girls had to bring the goods to the table and play out of their skins. They did not disappoint us. They did everything and more of what we asked of them.
At half-time the scoreline stood Killavullen 2-5 to Kilshannig 0-5. We knew we had to stay focused and work twice as hard in the second half to achieve our goal.
Throughout the pitch our girls showed great teamwork. Our defence stayed strong, midfield took control and our forwards fought hard for every score.
It was a hard-fought game throughout, however Killavullen were victorious on a scoreline of 5-12 to 2-7 at the final whistle. As always Kilshannig gave us a great sporting game and I would like to wish them all the best for the future. No doubt we will meet again.
Well done to both players and management and it was great to see supporters at the game once again, if only small in numbers. We now meet Banteer in the final. Here is hoping we are victorious once again.
U14 panel: Aideen Cagney, Anna Cotter, Ava Daly, Ava Hanrahan, Clodagh Cronin, Caoimhe Griffin, Chloe Barrett, Ciara O’Grady, Elizabeth Palmer, Hazel Vaughan, Katie Turner, Katie Kelleher, Lily Hammond, Molly Bartley, Rachael O’Sullivan, Roisin Murray, Sinead Creedon, Sarah Taylor, Silin Murphy, Sarah Hanley, Simone Scuffins.
Manager - Gillian Lynch. Coaches - Dick Griffin, Helen Cagney, Conor O’Sullivan.
UNDERAGE BLITZES AGAINST LOCAL OPPOSITION
Killavullen played Ballycastle last Saturday morning in an entertaining U9 game, which was played in Ballyhooly. Both teams enjoyed the run around, and as to who won and lost, well my source said that Killavullen won by a few points but he did not know what position of the field he was playing in.
My source was an U9 player, so as to the actual result who cares, but the most important point was that he enjoyed it.
LOTTO UPDATE
Last Tuesday night, in the gym area of Killavullen GAA club house, the revised lotto took place, for September 29.
There was no winner of the numbers drawn of 5, 11, and 16, but several people got 2 of the 3 numbers. Lucky dips winners on the night, and the sellers were as follows; €50 Pat McCarthy, Ballygriffin, (E-sales), €30 Angela Murphy (Denise Hanrahan), €20 Abigail Boyle Fitzgerald (Magner’s Bar).
Next week the jackpot will be €2,000 and will be held in the GAA meeting room, again at 9.30 pm, on October 6. The draw was recorded and was posted on the Killavullen GAA Facebook page, for integrity reasons. To catch up on the occasional lotto player, who we miss from the pubs and local outlets, it is now be possible to play the lotto online, on the Killavullen GAA website.
Players and parents of children who play for will be asked to support the lotto, if not already subscribing, as there are a number of projects that need to be rectified.
A person will also be able to play the lotto by signing up and paying for 10 weeks at a time via Revolut. The cost will be €20. The money can be transferred to 086-3934232, and a text message as to what numbers that a person wants to play will be necessary.
REBEL BOUNTY UPDATE
Cork GAA is launching its revised draw, now called Rebel Bounty, on October 4. It will give clubs an opportunity to raise funds, while also raising cash and support to fund the preparation of Cork GAA teams.
The benchmark for Killavullen GAA Club, in line with all junior clubs in Cork, is 55 ticket sales at €100 each, which goes directly to Cork GAA and any advance of sales of that number of 55, stays entirely with Killavullen GAA Club. Killavullen GAA Club had 104 members of the old County Board draw in 2019/2020 so, Killavullen Club would be marginally better off, with the new format, and there is a significant opportunity to grow the numbers participating, and that extra revenue stays entirely with the club. County chairperson, Tracey Kennedy, said; “The Rebels’ Bounty will give clubs an opportunity to make up some of the shortfall in fundraising because traditional ‘big-ticket’ events have been restricted by COVID-19. Our focus is on moving forward together, as a county, as clubs and as individual members.”
Enhanced prizes totalling €500,000 and a more progressive incentive scheme for clubs are set to form a significant part of the overhaul. The scheme is designed to ensure clubs get a fairer distribution of funding based on sales.
Total prize fund over €500,000 - all cash prizes. Summer jackpot’ €100,000 (August 2021). Monthly prizes of €20,000 and boosted to €25,000 in December and April 2021. 30 monthly prizes. One Club Model is promoted within Cork GAA, to benefit all units who share a club grounds. Opportunities are encouraged, for local arrangements to organise sales within various units, such a juveniles, ladies and the adult club, in the case of Killavullen GAA.
The September and October draws will take place on November 15th so that entails 6 weeks of sales before the first draw. November and December draws - December 15th (sales closed on Dec 15th). Minimum ticket price of €100.
LATEST COVID SITUATION IS GRAVE
Please note all matches are cancelled until further notice. The GAA’s Management Committee has today (5th Oct.) endorsed a decision to suspend all GAA club games at all levels with immediate effect and until further notice. The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic. This directive applies to all ages and all grades across the island. Club social centres/ bars are also to close.
Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid 19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties. The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly. The association would also like to acknowledge all of those units who have worked diligently in complying with the public health advice around the staging of our games and training sessions since activity resumed.
More than ever, we ask that you continue with this approach where training sessions for your players is continuing.
HOSTING OF OUTSIDE GAMES – HELP APPRECIATED
Killavullen hosted a number of outside games over the weekend as the championship seasons race towards closure.
On Saturday last, the division 1 minor hurling championship final was played out between Fermoy and Charleville, in an entertaining game, which Fermoy won out in. Tommy Cremin organised the Killavullen helpers to officiate at the game, assisted by Liam Vaughan, Michael Cronin, John Breenan, Jack O’Connor and John O’Donovan.
On Sunday at 2.00pm Killavullen hosted a Cork county junior B football championship game between Lismire and Rathpeacon. Dan O’Sullivan was the capable senior steward and was assisted by Sean Turner, John Magner, John O’Riordan and John O’Donovan on the scoreboard.
On Sunday at 5.00pm Killavullen hosted the Avondhu junior B2 football championship final game between Mallow and Glanworth. Tommy Cremin was the capable senior steward and was assisted by Sean O’Regan, Michael Linehan and John O’Riordan and Kennedy Roche. If anyone was helping out and is not listed apologies all around.
CLUB SPONSOR
Howard Farm Feeds.