Goals win games, for sure, and we got four of them!
Killavullen overcame Kilshannig in Glantane earlier on St. Patrick’s day, on a final score of 4-09 to 1-08 but that score may be harsh on our gracious hosts. This game was earmarked to be in Killavullen, but Kilshannig agreed to host the game, as our pitch recovers from the sewage works of last October.
Kilshannig, playing into the Mallow end, of their grounds opening their scoring in the opening minute of the game, when their full forward, Diarmuid O’Sullivan caught an excellent mark inside the 20 metre line, and slotted the ball over the bar confidently. Kilshannig stretched out their lead further with a converted free, scored by the same player before Mickey O’Connor scored a lovely point for us, in the 5th minute. Kilshannig got back their two point lead in the 8th minute when a lovely converted free, from the extreme right hand corner was slotted over by a fine kick, with a left footed player, the Kilshannig No. 9.
Killavullen reduced the deficit with a nice point from Jamie Magner in the 9th minute. Jamie, drifted out from his full forward berth, definitely brought the evergreen Roddy O’Mahony, the Kilshannig full back, away out from goals, to exploit the pace of Jamie. Kilshannig replied immediately from their centre forward in the 11th minute and pushed the score 0-05 to 0-02 in their favour when their full forward who was very dangerous on the day, scored another good point in the 15th minute.
Killavullen, playing against the wind, into the community centre end, preferred to keep the ball in hand and worked out space very well to allow Darragh O’Grady to score for us.
We were right back in the game, when Seamus O’Mahony managed to keep a free from out the field in play, and was then fouled, so that Eoin Birchill to slot over the free, that was in close to goals in the 21st minute. Killavullen with our half back line busy, defending and marauding forwarded worked out a great goal scoring chance, that was saved bravely by the Kilshannig custodian from the boot of Jamie. We could have got a free, but we didn’t and such decisions are part and parcel of any game. Kilshannig got the final score of the half in the 28th from a free, from the centre forward in the 28th minute to leave the score at half time 0-06 to 0-04.
On the resumption, we cut back into the lead with a free from Eoin in the 4th minute before Eoin got us back level in the next minute and then, put us ahead in the 7th minute of the half, with a nice point from open play.
The neat interchanging of passes out the field was a feature of the Killavullen play, and in one such move, Liam Cronin, and Eoghan Buckley were pivotal in releasing Jamie Magner bearing down on goal. Jamie drew the cover, and put Seamus O’Mahony through to slot coolly into the net. When Seamus Fox scored another quick fire goal, in similar circumstances after been set up by Darragh O’Grady in the 10th minute, it was a telling lead.
Mikey O’Connor scored a lovely point for us, before Kian Lane scored a nice point for us, in the 14th minute to open up a decisive lead 2-09 to 0-06 at this juncture. A feature was the amount of players we effected behind the ball, when Kilshannig attacked, and the width and breath of our players when we attacked.
Several players were hugging the tramlines, making the pitch very big, but that takes a lot of selfless running. Kilshannig got a point back from their full forward from a free, and we lost Ronan Barry to an ankle injury, but we were able to call on Billy Norris as an able replacement, cheered on, by Sophie his number 1 fan, and daughter.
Mark Nagle was introduced for Seamus O’Mahony and he wasted little time to putting up his hand for a starting berth by finishing impressively in the 22nd minute, for a goal and goaled again in the 24th minute to open up a very commanding lead. We introduced a number of substitutes from our strong bench, and Kilshannig scored a free in the
28th minute. A 45 metre shot eluded everyone in the crowded goalmouth in the 29th minute to be the final score of the game.
Fine game, played in a sporting fashion, capably handled by John O’Leary on a lovely morning and Killavullen as, already said, appreciate the help of Kilshannig in hosting the game.
Two games played and Killavullen management team would be well pleased with their start to the league. What team will Davy and co. pick on Saturday night would be interesting, and they above in Galway, on a bit of a jamboree after golf, would be another talking point.
Team: James Angland, Patrick Angland, Fionn Magner, Conor Griffin, Darragh O’Grady (0-01), Liam Cronin, Brian Cotter, Ronan Barry, Eoghan Buckley, Kian Lane (0-01), Eoin Birchill (0-04, 0-03F), Seamus Fox (1-00), Seamus O’Mahony (1-00), Jamie Magner (0-01), Mickey O’Connor (0-02). Substitutes: Billy Norris for Ronan Barry – injured; Jack Martin for Seamus Fox; Tom O’Regan for Kian Lane; Mark Nagle (2-00) Seamus O’Mahony; Sean Bartley for Pa Angland.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot of €1,800 last Tuesday night, when the draw took place in the Community Centre. The numbers drawn were 12, 18 and 25. The jackpot on the night was at €1,800. Next week, the jackpot will be €1,900.
The winners of the lucky dips on last Tuesday night were as follows; €50 Geraldine O’Donovan, seller online sales; €30 Margaret Hayes, seller, Billy Feore; €20 Pat Angland seller John Angland. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website - Killavullengaa.com
UNDER 21 LADIES COME OF AGE WITH OPENING ROUND WIN Killavullen 4-14 Midleton 1-8
Killavullen Ladies Under 21 welcomed Midleton to Killavullen on Sunday. The first round game of the championship was played in perfect weather conditions and, with the ground firming after the recent dry spell, the stage was set for free-flowing football. Midleton were short a number of players and both teams played with fourteen, with Killavullen having the advantage of being able to introduce substitutes to boost our efforts. This was a game full of positives for Killavullen, especially given that it was the first opportunity to play on the pitch.
Midleton were first to score with an early point and after a couple of wides from Killavullen, Andrea Fresh opened our account with a point created by Clara Walsh. A second point followed from Andrea, before Caoimhe O’Riordan, who was to be highly influential at midfield, followed with a great individual point. At the other side, Clare Brennan at full back and Lily Sheahan at centre back were very solid. A goal from an Eva Lankford free, gave Killavullen some early breathing space and strong defending and regular scores ensured we were able to maintain a comfortable margin throughout.
Jessica Scuffins, who had contributed well to the Killavullen attack, was unfortunate to take a knock that necessitated her being substituted. Hannah Martin came on and was frequently involved in play. Two good points from Midleton emphasised their continuing threat. Ava Hanrahan was introduced for the injured Ellie Coughlan, who had also been very influential. Ava made an immediate impact, setting up Kate O’Keeffe for a fine score, before taking one herself.
Midleton were unlucky to put a goal opportunity wide, while Emily Fresh was giving a very assured performance for us in goal. Ava Hanrahan rattled the net with an excellent goal, set up by Kate O’Keeffe. Ava added a point from distance shortly afterwards and our backs finished the half well, combining well to snuff out Midleton attacks.
Midleton opened the second half with a point, while Hannah Martin was unlucky not to score a goal for Killavullen. Clara Walsh, who had threatened on a few occasions before this, raised a green flag that reflected well the overall improvement in the team’s composure. Midleton added a point but Emma Taylor and Edwina Dingivan were winning the battle in their respective corners, while Claire Maguire and Camille Ní Shúilleabháin did trojan work on the wings. Andrea Fresh was in excellent form at the fulcrum of attack. Another great individual point from Ava Hanrahan was matched by excellent defending by Clare Brennan.
Caoimhe Griffin, Rachel O’Sullivan, Elizabeth Palmer, Katie Turner and Aideen Cagney, all talented footballers, came on to add great energy in the final quarter. A fine point was scored by Eva Lankford, followed by another Ava Hanrahan point after a great combination of passes from the forward division. Andrea Fresh was the provider for an Eva Lankford point. Midleton responded with a point, but this was cancelled out by yet another point from Ava Hanrahan. A point for Midleton followed, before Caoimhe Griffin set up Andrea Fresh for a well taken score.
Claire Maguire was still full of running and at the end of a typical burst forward, she sent a scorching shot to the back of the net. Caoimhe Griffin and Rachel O’Sullivan combined for a great point from the latter, before Midleton found the net. Ava Hanrahan capped off a fine performance with the final point of the game. The final score was Killavullen 4-14 Midleton 1-8.
This was a very pleasing performance from the full panel in this knock-out championship game. Well done to all our girls.
Team and scorers: Emily Fresh, Edwina Dingivan, Clare Brennan, Emma Taylor, Claire Maguire 1-0, Lily Sheahan, Camille Ní Shúilleabhain, Clara Walsh 1-0, Caoimhe O’Riordan 0-1, Jessica Scuffins, Kate O’Keeffe 0-1, Andrea Fresh (captain) 0-3, Ellie Coughlan, Eva Lankford 1-4, Hannah Martin, Rachel O’Sullivan 0-1, Caoimhe Griffin, Ava Hanrahan 1-5, Elizabeth Palmer, Katie Turner, Aideen Cagney.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Division 1 Junior Hurling League, first game is due to be played on 27th March in Killavullen versus Dromina, at 2pm.
THE LOCAL HORSE IN CHELTENHAM
The local horse, Ballygrifin Cottage ran very well in the Albert Bartlett race in Cheltenham, the 14.50 on Friday last to finish up, in a very creditable 4th place, in this premier Grade 1 contest.
Previously, that horse was owned by Donie Turner of Carrig and our parish, before he was sold to race for Dan Skelton, in the UK. Don Turner bought the horse, rather than bred him, so unfortunately the Turner family have no siblings at home
MOTTO FOR THE WEEK
You mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can be flowers or can be weeds - attributed to William Wordsworth.
CLUB SPONSOR Howard Farm Feeds.