The Big Man keeps getting better
Santa was in the GAA grounds last Saturday night and it was heaving, cars pancaked bumper to bumper, loads of stewards and elves, stuffed dressed up animals, penguins, walking Christmas trees and then the big man himself!
He arrived in an elevated cage under a Garda escort and boy did he cause no wonder of excitement. He then lead the spellbound car occupants on a magical mystery tour, up Monanimy Hill and it was all aglow. At his sheltered grotto, he enquired as to what each child wanted.
Major kudos to the CSSR group, that is the Community Special Santa Recruits, far too numerous to mention, but led superbly by Maire and Roseanne. The amount of work that these people put in, for the enjoyment of others is truly wonderful to behold.
The GAA club chairman, Finian Magner was not been too greedy when he sought a junior North Cork championship win for 2022, and Santa being Santa said to him to get the teams to train hard, listen to your mentors and believe.
U21 GO UNDER TO CLYDA ROVERS
There was no escaping the fact that winter GAA had arrived last night in Clyda for Killavullen’s Avondhu U21 football semi-final against the home team. Cold and windy conditions set the backdrop for a tough challenge for both teams.
It was clear from the first whistle that this Clyda team had some real talents. They took the game to Killavullen with swift forward balls aided by the wind at their backs. It was full forward Eoin Walsh who initiated the scoring for Clyda, which set the trend for this opening 15 minutes as opposition scores came thick and fast as Killavullen seemed a step behind the home side who were anything short of attacking options. An unflattering scoreline for Killavullen at the first water break. Killavullen 0-0 Clyda 0-7.
The next period of play saw a bit more bite from Killavullen, with Eoin Birchall doing great work to sure up the backline preventing the leaks that were punished in the first quarter. This allowed Killavullen to start making strides up the pitch. This led to Killavullen’s first score from wing forward Darragh O’Grady who made a surging run through the Clyda defence, eventually finding himself with a pocket of space to get the score. Great defensive work from the likes of Michael Cagney and Patrick O’Grady kept the main Clyda danger men at bay. The score at half-time was Killavullen 0-1, Clyda 0-9. A lot still to do for Killavullen.
Half-time saw the introduction of great young talent, Kian Lane to the side, who replaced Darragh O’Grady. It was clear from the moment this half began that it was a changed Killavullen team. The boys in blue began to play smarter and
stronger on the ball which translated into scores. Padraig Looney gave Killavullen their second score of the game with a well taken free. Clyda responded in kind with a score of their own from their midfielder.
But, a real turning point soon followed as Padraig Looney dropped in a ball at the square which Mikey O’Connor capitalised on, fisting the ball into the net. The Killavullen confidence was rising. This was no more so evident than when Padraig Looney, moments later, scorched the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net, bringing Killavullen to within 2 of Clyda.
However, as easily as momentum can be built, it can be taken away. Minutes before the final water break, after a swift counterattack, Clyda found themselves in front of goal and the corner forward made no mistake. Another point quickly followed this for the opposition moments before the whistle. Killavullen 2-2, Clyda 1-11.
CLYDA PRESSURE
Killavullen had proven that they could take it to this Clyda side, which they would have to try to prove again in this final 15 minutes. Killavullen started quicker in this period, winning frees deep in Clyda territory allowing Padraig Looney to continue to add to his tally for the night, scoring 2. Unfortunately for Killavullen, Brian Cotter went down with a bad injury to his knee, forcing a change which saw the introduction of Mark Nagle. We earnestly hope that Brian makes a speedy recovery, as he has a prestigious All-Ireland final with the University of Limerick Fresher’s Team, only next week.
Although there was a much sturdier Killavullen defence in the latter part of this game, Clyda were still able to sneak their way into range, trying to maintain their advantage, scoring a well-taken point from play. The newly introduced Mark Nagle was next to score for Killavullen after great link-up play between the Killavullen forwards. Mark found himself an avenue of space which he exploited with a calmly finished point.
However, as much as Killavullen tried to claw themselves back into the game, Clyda were always able to respond. As legs began to tire in the Killavullen side, the Clyda pressure intensified. This pressure was rewarded when a fast buildup play by Clyda slipped through the Killavullen defence leading to a game-ending goal. A lot of heart was shown by both teams, but Clyda deservedly took the win. Killavullen 2-5, Clyda 2-14.
Team: Niall Murray, Conor Griffin, Ronan Barry, Michael Cagney, Jamie Magner, Fionn Magner, Patrick
O’Grady, Eoin Birchall, Brian Cotter, Mike O’Connor (1-0), Liam Fox, Darragh O’Grady (0-1), Eddie Cotter, Padraig Looney (1-3), Seamus O’Mahony. Subs: Mike Fresh, Mark Nagle (0-1), Cian O’Connor, Sean Bartley. Donal Cronin. Noah. Butler. Kian Lane. Podge Cronin. Jack Martin.
FABULOUS PRIZES ON OFFER
Killavullen GAA Juvenile Club is running a Christmas hamper draw this December. This is the only fundraiser for the juvenile club with money raised to support the purchase of equipment and strategic objectives planned for 2022. We really need a huge effort from all to get raffle lines sold. There are some beautiful hampers and loads of prizes to win, and a special prize draw for all full cards received back. Cards will be distributed over the coming days, watch this space for further updates on our great selection of prizes. Thank you all for your support!
Tickets can also be brought a single ticket, (€2) or in bundles of 5 (€10) or 10 tickets (€20) from the Killavullen GAA website.
FANTASTIC WIN FOR MINOR GIRLS
Killavullen girls surprised a few people, but not themselves, when they defeated Kilshannig in the minor grade B football final, last Friday night under lights in Glantane.
The pitch was in superb condition for December and made for a very enjoyable game. Both teams knew each other well, attend the same schools, and have met in various grades and competitions up along, and it was a very tight affair, with the scores at half-time being 0-04 to 0-03 in favour of the home team. The lack of scoring belies the intensity though, with every single ball and every possession being ferociously competed for.
Killavullen were under the cosh in the 3rd quarter but their defence held out superbly and against the run of play, in the last moments of the quarter, Ava Hanrahan broke up field and a gap opened right down the middle, Ava exploited it and drilled a great goal to the net to put us ahead. Kilshannig, after owing the ball for long periods of the quarter now found themselves in arrears.
After the water break, Killavullen grew in confidence and they were supremely fit, having maintained their training schedule up to the game when it would have been easier to back off, with uncertainty about the fixture. Kilshannig now had to come out of their defensive set up to chase the scores and Killavullen had space to run at them and they went on a scoring splurge.
Killavullen pulled right away in the final quarter and scored impressively in this quarter to win handsomely in the end. The final score was Killavullen 3-13 to 1-06 from Kilshannig.
The team was Emily Fresh (captain), Emma Taylor, Aideen Cagney, Katie Turner, Siobhan Sheehan, Elizabeth Palmer, Erin Lane, Caoimhe O’Riordan, Caoimhe Griffin, Ellie Coughlan, Ava Hanrahan, Lilly Sheehan, Camille Ui Shúilleabháin, Rachel O’Sullivan, Clara Walsh, Hazel Vaughan, Hannah Martin and Clodagh Cronin.
The team was managed was Gillian Lynch and prepared superbly for the match by Dick Griffin and Conor O’Sullivan.
That brought the curtain down on the GAA activity for 2021 for the Killavullen Ladies Club, and what a way to finish up – roll on 2022 and hopefully more success!
CYBER MONDAY LOTTO SURVIVES
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot last Tuesday night, when the numbers drawn, were 2, 3, and 24. The jackpot on the night was at €3,500. The next jackpot, will be drawn on the 7th December will be for €3,600. The winners of the lucky dips on last Tuesday night were as follows; €50 Mikey Joe Healy, seller Mary Mellerick; €30 Joe Howard, seller Redmond Lane, €20 Michael Cronin seller Michael Linehan.
For the next five weeks, there will be additional lucky dip prizes for the festive season, so more good reasons to play. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member or from our website - Killavullengaa.com. Thank you for your anticipated and ongoing support.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Killavullen play Charleville in the Junior A League semi-final in football next Saturday, December 11 at 1pm. The venue has not been decided yet. Check our website for details as fixtures can be quite fluid at the moment.
AGM
The 2021 AGM of Killavullen GAA Club will take place in the Community Centre on Friday night, December 10 at 8pm. With it having being a busy but truncated year, due to Covid restrictions, Finian Magner as chairperson has presided over a busy campaign. Come along on the night to hear the 2021 review from secretary Joe Howard, and to hear of the state of the club finances from Sean Turner, club treasurer.
REBELS’ BOUNTY WINNERS FOR DECEMBER 2021
Congratulations to Denis and Nuala Cronin from this parish who won €250 in the last and concluding Rebels’ Bounty draw for 2021. Damien O’Connor from the Nemo Rangers club won the super prize of €100,000, that is certainly a nice prize to win, just before Christmas. The Rebels’ Bounty Draw for 2022 has now been launched, just in time for the Christmas holiday period.
The Rebels’ Bounty Draw for 2022 will be open for sales from the 3rd December 2021 until February 2022, with the draws for January and February 2022 taking place on the 24th of February 2022.
The benchmark for Killavullen GAA Club, in line with all junior clubs in Cork, is 55 ticket sales (same as 2021) at €100 each, which goes directly to Cork GAA and any advance of sales of that number of 55 stay entirely with Killavullen GAA Club.
For 2022, Killavullen GAA Club has earmarked the development of a strength and conditioning gym as the project that will benefit from the profits of the sales. A distinct and separate organising committee for the strength and conditioning (S&C) gym has been tasked with drawing up the necessary plans for the gym. Past playing stalwarts Liam Dorgan and Brian O’Driscoll, in conjunction with Paddy Gleeson will spearhead that effort.
Killavullen GAA players and the public in Killavullen will benefit enormously from an S & C gym. Whether you are into yoga, pilates, general fitness or GAA games, the fact of the matter is that building strength matters. In order to achieve your fitness goals and get tougher on the field of play you need to have a strong core. This is why strength and conditioning is so important. Because of all its incredible benefits, strength and conditioning is a critical addition to any fitness routine.
It is hoped with good early sales spearheaded by the male and female players, that the gym will be ready for the end of January 2022, in time for use before the serious games of 2022 start, in earnest. We hope that all participants in 2021 will partake again in 2022.
We achieved great results in 2021 with the money that was raised - improvement of the entrance to the GAA facility, improved lights in the 2nd field, clean-up of the lower bank of the main field, an upgrade of the car park surface, with the cooperation with roadstone, enhanced sewage facilities carried out in cooperation with Cork County Council (ongoing).
CONGRATULATIONS TO ARAGLIN
Killavullen GAA Club extend a sincere congratulation to Araglin on winning the Junior C county championship, over the weekend. Well done.
CLUB SPONSOR
Howard Farm Feeds.