A few changes in personnel but Killavullen win again in division 1 hurling league

Killavullen, with a fair sprinkling of enforced changes in personnel due to injuries, exams, Leaving Certificates and other commitments, won out against the previously impressive Charleville in Charleville, in a game where a referee was necessary from Limerick due to the shortage in the Avondhu Region. That referee was Mike Sexton and he was very good, strong, firm, fair and decisive. When a player gave a foul away, what they had done wrong was explained to them so that there was no uncertainty. Excellent.

We started with a Colm Looney point before Charleville got one back, but we went ahead and stayed ahead for the hour when Jamie Magner and Barry Murphy scored quick points, followed up by a fine point from way out the field from Padraig Looney, and then another point from a dead ball situation from Jamie. Our movement and intelligent runs were creating the space for the forwards and we were playing well but with the aid of a decent breeze.

Charleville got a score from a 65m shot after a Killavullen player touched a ball over the line, and then our home opponents scored again to reduce the arrears to two points. Colm Looney, who was brilliant in the opening half, turned his man and sent a long range point over the bar to open up our lead further.

Danny O’Flynn was orchestrating the Charleville rear guard and this fine player gave a virtuoso display from his centre back position and one of his arrow like deliveries saw a Charleville player bearing down on goal.

His bullet-like shot cannoned off the cross bar and away to safety. We took good heed of the warning and isolated Jamie Magner at the other end of the field, and his shot, high into the top right hand corner was not for saving. Colm, tormenting his man with pace and power and no shortage of panache scored another fine long range point, before the same player, bearing down on goal with Charleville players chasing valiantly, found the left hand corner of the net to open up a commanding lead. Charleville replied with two rapid-fire points before Barry Murphy forced the Charleville player to clear off the line and away for a 65. Jamie converted that opportunity and another before the short whistle, and Charleville had a white flag of their own to leave the score 2-10 to 0-06 in our favour at the interval.

Cian O’Connor was introduced from the numerically small bench for Pa Cronin for the second period. Charleville were playing with the aid of a breeze that had picked up somewhat at the start of this half, kind of threatening rain that thankfully never materialised. Our opponents scored 3 long range frees in a row to bring them further into the game, before we opened our account from a lovely Jamie Magner point from play after being found in space by our junior debutant, Conor Brennan. We were awarded a penalty after Barry Murphy was fouled inside the square but we did not capitalise on the chance as Jamie’s shot was saved well by the Charleville custodian.

We made some amends though, when Paudie Looney and Jamie scored a brace of points from play while Charleville answered one of those back with another converted free. Our backline was being tested more seriously now but we held firm, with Brian Cotter excellence personified in the fullback berth. Fionn Magner, the elder of the line at 21, and the youthful but very quick Conor Breenan in the corner very capably assisted him. Outside them, Liam Cronin was very good at centre back and our strongest line of defence all year did not falter in this instance either with Eddie Cotter and Ronan Barry scarcely putting a foot wrong.

Our midfielders are nothing but honest and Michael Cagney and Liam Fox put in a great effort. Perhaps the distribution was not all it should be from this duo, but no lack of toil and endeavour. When a high probing ball from Padraig Looney dropped short of its intended destination, over the bar, Barry Murphy had watched it all the way and flicked it in the air, into the net. Class goal, class player.

Padraig scored a great point from the wing that started in the fullback line with a lovely intelligent clearance from Conor, before Charleville got another score back. Cian, strong and brave as always in the tackle was released by Barry Murphy to score a point of distinction before Charleville got the next three points, from play. Jamie got another to being our tally to 3-16 whilst our opponents sent three points over the bar before then, and the end of the game. 3-16 to 0-17 was how the game finished.

For a game with an early start time there was a nice crowd in attendance including one Katie Kehoe from Wexford. Asked for her opinion after the game and keen to make sure that he would get a good dinner in

Castlekevin, Katie said that he was impressed but said as much with a wry smile.

Final item, vote for Kristene Hunter in the National Hunt Breeder of the Month for April after Kristene’s heroics with Noble Yeats in the Grand National.

The team was; Michael Cronin, Fionn Magner, Brian Cotter, Conor Brennan, Eddie Cotter, Liam Cronin, Ronan Barry, Michael Cagney, Liam Fox, Colm Looney (1-04), Eoghan Buckley, Padraig Looney (0-03), Jamie Magner (1-08, 0-04F), Barry Murphy (1-01), Pa Cronin. Substitutes: Cian O Connor (0-01) for Pa Cronin.

WEEK 18 2022 – NO WINNER OF THE LOTTO JACKPOT

Tuesday night last week in the Community Centre, there was no winner of the lotto jackpot, but we did see an unusual occurrence when Leslie Dunne scooped two of the three lucky dips prizes.

The numbers drawn were 6, 11 and 28. The jackpot on the night was at €1,100. Next week the jackpot will be €1,200. The winners of the lucky dips on last Tuesday night were as follows; €50 Leslie Dunne, seller John Magner; €30 Helen and Michael Linehan, CTR, seller John Angland; €20 Leslie Dunne, seller John Magner. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website - Killavullengaa.com.

VALIANT EFFORT FROM KILLAVULLEN LADIES

A strong second half performance from Killavullen was not enough to achieve victory in a hard fought game on Sunday evening. The home team laid siege on the Banteer goal for a long spell around the three-quarter mark and though they reduced Banteer’s eight point half-time lead to six points, the goal that would have brought them to within touching distance eluded them.

Killavullen started brightly with an early point from the boot of Orla O’Regan. Banteer soon took control and for the remainder of the first half outscored Killavullen by 2-5 to two points from Eva Lankford. Eva had commenced the game in goals, but switched to the opposite end of the field after just seven minutes, when the selected goalkeeper Claire Nagle arrived after an unavoidable delay.

Despite the lack of reward on the scoreboard, there were signs during the opening half that it could be a closer affair and Killavullen certainly showed intent on the resumption with a Niamh Buckley point. Eva

Lankford responded in equal measure to a Banteer point. There was a greater intensity to the game at this stage and though Banteer got the next two points, the Killavullen backs were gaining the upper hand, with Lily Sheahan in particular in inspirational form.

The momentum clearly swung Killavullen’s way and the blue army surged forward. Points in quick succession from Eva Lankford, Niamh Buckley and Caoimhe O’Riordan ate in to the Banteer lead but a number of goal chances were snuffed out by an unyielding Banteer backline. The final ten minutes were a complete stalemate and Banteer hung on for a deserved win. Great credit to the Killavullen ladies, however, for a much improved second half performance.

Team: Eva Lankford 0-4, Edwina Dingivan, Siobhán Sheehan, Lily Sheahan, Clare Brennan, Niamh O’Regan (captain), Camille Ní Shúilleabhain, Erica O’Connell, Caoimhe O’Riordan 0-1, Jessica Scuffins, Claire McGuire, Andrea Fresh, Orla O’Regan 0-1, Clara Walsh, Niamh Buckley 0-2, Claire Nagle, Olivia Cahill, Niamh O’Gorman, Evelyn Buckley, Sarah Lane, Emma Taylor, Hannah Martin, Ellie Coughlan, Ciara Jones

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Killavullen v Kildorrery div 3 football in Kildorrery, Thursday, 12th May at 7.45pm. Killavullen v Ballyclough div 1 football in Ballyclough, Sunday, 15th May at 11am.

STAR PLAYER GETTING WED

The very best of luck from all involved in Killavullen GAA Club to Ian O’Gorman and his intended bride, Melisa Dunne who are getting married next Saturday in Annakissa Church and are having their reception afterwards in the Brehon Hotel in Killarney. Known to be very dapper on occasions, I am sure that this is one occasion where Ian will be in the shade compared to the lovely Melissa. That the sun may always shine for this lovely couple, and that there will always be work for hands to do. May their purse always hold a coin or two. Best wishes from Killavullen GAA Club.

MOTTO FOR THE WEEK

A friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg, even though they know you are slightly cracked - attributed to Bernard Mettzer, famous American radio show host.

CLUB SPONSOR Howard Farm Feeds.