Balmy conditions in Ballyclough sees a draw in division 1 football
In balmy Ballyclough last Sunday morning, in weather that would be more akin to the seaside and Ballybunion, Killavullen and Ballyclough served up a good game of football that ended with honours even at the end of the hour.
Ballyclough were first to score from a Tom O’Neill point, but after a good exchange of passes Mark Nagle found himself in on goal, facing the Ballyclough custodian and made no mistake to raise a major. Ballyclough replied with a pointed free before we scored the second goal of the opening period when Eddie Cotter this time found himself close in on goals.
The running off the shoulder of the Killavullen players was causing problems for our hosts and for this goal a good interception of a Ballyclough turnover led to the goal. Ballyclough replied with another from Tom O’Neill, and then two points from Adam and Dylan Finnegan. We were wasteful enough with some poor shot selections and allowed Ballyclough into the game in a period when we were possibly dominating. Mark scored another point but Ballyclough got another one back before Brian Cotter on one of his tradename forays forwards split the posts to leave us in the lead at the interval 2-02 to 0-06.
Damien Buckley was sprung from the numerically strong Ballyclough bench and this fine player was to have a bit to say in the destination of the honours in the second period. Killavullen were without any player with exam commitments, either college or Leaving certificate. Ballyclough took the two-point margin down to one with a Damien Buckley point from his left leg, before Padraig Looney and Eddie Cotter added two points for us.
Ballyclough got another point back and then Colm Looney scored from an acute angle before Liam Fox punished some hesitancy in the Ballyclough rear guard at a free conceded out the field by being cleverly picked out and scored a long range point. Ballyclough then scored a goal, again from Damien, that gave James in our goal no chance and the game was on an even score when Dylan Finnegan equalised for Ballyclough.
Possession and ball retention was key now and we kicked some bad wides with shots from nowhere in this period. Pa Cronin was introduced for Padraig Looney. We worked a great goal scoring chance but the strong shot from Gary Lane was pushed around the post by the alert Colm O’Neill in the Ballyclough goal. Liam Cronin stepped up and curled the resultant 45 metre shot over the bar to place us ahead by a solitary point with 3 minutes to go. Ballyclough scored though, again from Damien Buckley, when he bravely went in along the end line and fisted the ball over the bar.
As Ballyclough pressed up for the winning opportunity, it was Killavullen who broke through, and we had a chance at the death to win it but with Colm O’Neill racing backwards, Mark Nagle’s shot from distance was got to before it could bounce into the empty net. The referee, Michael Sheahan, who had a fine game throughout, assisted by two teams that tried to play attacking football, blew the final whistle and perhaps on reflection a draw was a fitting result. Killavullen were to the fore in the opening half but Ballyclough came very much back into it, in the 2nd period. Final score Ballyclough 1-10; Killavullen 2-07.
Team: James Angland, Patrick Angland, Fionn Magner, Billy Norris, Cian O’Connor, Liam Cronin (0-01), Brian Cotter (0-01), Liam Fox (0-01), Mikey O’Connor, Eddie Cotter (1-01), Gary Lane, Colin Carey, Mark Nagle (1-01), Padraig Looney (0-01), Colm Looney (0-01). Subs: Pa Cronin for Padraig Looney.
Last Wednesday night, Killavullen’s development squad went under to a very strong Kildorrery team in division 3 football, on a final score of 3-18 to 2-05. No lack of effort on our behalf though but there was a big gulf in class, with Kildorrery having some players that will play Intermediate level football later in the year the big difference between the teams.
WEEK 19 – NO WINNER OF THE LOTTO JACKPOT
Last Tuesday night, the 10th, in the Community centre, there was no winner of the lotto jackpot but we did have some anxious moments in the checking process with 3 low numbers drawn. The numbers drawn were 4, 6, and 18. The jackpot on the night was, at €1,200. Next week, the jackpot will be €1,300.
The winners of the lucky dips on last Tuesday night were as follows; €50 Mary Flynn, CTR seller John Angland. €30 Paul Stafford seller Michael Linehan. €20 Don Larkin seller The Haven Bar. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website- Killavullengaa.com.
DOUBLE SCORE VICTORY FOR IMPRESSIVE KILLAVULLEN Killavullen 4-12 Ballincollig 2-6
On a day when the Rebel hurlers made a powerful statement in Walsh Park, the Killavullen ladies showed real intent with an emphatic victory over Ballincollig in round 3 of the county league. Playing in close proximity to the Gunpowder Mills, Killavullen were in explosive form early on, with Niamh Buckley recording three points in the opening minutes.
Caoimhe O’Riordan looked equally dangerous from the start and she added a point. Ballincollig recovered somewhat and opened their account with a pointed free before Ellie Coughlan set up Niamh Buckley for another point. A Ballincollig point, followed by a goal, brought the game back to parity.
Killavullen responded in style. Caoimhe O’Riordan raised a white flag after combining well with Niamh Buckley. Andrea Fresh marked her birthday with a well taken goal after being put through by Orla O’Regan.
The forwards were in impressive form and Caoimhe O’Riordan sent an excellent kick pass through to Niamh Buckley and the ever youthful corner forward needed no encouragement to round her marker and rattle the net.
Ellie Coughlan caught the kickout and played a clever one-two with Niamh Buckley before splitting the posts. Kate O’Keeffe was a strong presence in front of goal and was frequently involved in attacks, while outside her Caoimhe O’Riordan kept the scoreboard ticking with another well taken point.
While many of the scores came from high intensity from the forwards who notably won the majority of the opposition kickouts, a notable feature of the game was the athleticism and clever distribution by the midfield pairing of Erica O’Connell and Claire Maguire, who ran themselves to a standstill over the hour. The final score of the opening half, a well taken point by Andrea Fresh, had the fingerprints of most of the team on it as Killavullen moved the ball from deep with great effect.
The second half resumed with Killavullen intent on keeping up the momentum. Claire Maguire made a driving run through the middle and found Niamh Buckley who set up Orla O’Regan for a super goal. Before the dust had settled in the goalmouth, Clara Walsh won a free and played a quick ball to Kate O’Keeffe who selflessly laid it off to Niamh Buckley, who took the opportunity to add another goal.
To their credit Ballincollig didn’t throw in the towel and responded with a point. The Killavullen backs were in mean form however, and inspirational blocks from Emma Taylor and Lily Sheahan, who were outstanding all through, must have deflated their mid-Cork opponents.
In fact all the Killavullen backs can be extremely proud of their contribution to this game. Niamh O’Regan controlled the game from centre back and Clara Walsh and Camille Ní Shúilleabháin were unyielding on the wings, and all three frequently put the Ballincollig half forwards on the back foot. Just as impressive was corner back Edwina Dingivan, who dispossessed forwards at regular intervals.
Evelyn Buckley and Hannah Martin were introduced and both made an immediate impact, setting up Caoimhe O’Riordan for a point. At the other end Claire Nagle brought off a fantastic save to underline her very reliable goalkeeping ability.
Ciara Jones slotted in effectively in the backline, having replaced Clara Walsh, who was unfortunate to take a heavy fall. Kate O’Keeffe deservedly got Killavullen’s final score after maintaining her customary work rate to the end. A late goal and two points for Ballincollig were but consolation scores and in no way took the gloss off a fine team performance by Killavullen, who were delighted to head back up the N20 with valuable league points in the bag.
Team: Claire Nagle, Edwina Dingivan, Lily Sheahan, Emma Taylor, Clara Walsh, Niamh O’Regan (captain), Camille Ní Shúilleabháin, Erica O’Connell, Claire Maguire, Ellie Coughlan, Caoimhe O’Riordan 0-4, Andrea Fresh 1-1, Orla O’Regan 1-1, Kate O’Keeffe 0-1, Niamh Buckley 2-5, Evelyn Buckley, Hannah Martin, Ciara Jones.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Killavullen v Fermoy Div 1 Hurling – in Fermoy 18th May at 7.30pm – Wednesday. Killavullen v Kilshannig Div 1 Hurling – in Killavullen 24th May at 7.30pm – Tuesday.
NURSERY LEVEL – WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
Killavullen Juvenile GAA group are starting nursery training on Monday, 16th May from 6.30pm to 7.30pm for boys and girls born in 2017. It is planned to run each and every Monday and we would love to get parents to help out, in coaching roles. No need for any experience, most of the winning Ballygiblin team that won county junior honours in Cork last year, started out, being coached by a person whose only previous experience of field games was cricket.
All the necessary training and coaching badges will be organised by Killavullen GAA Club.
To book a place for your child please message Rosemaria Taylor 087-6411959 or Brian O’Driscoll 085-1744420 with your child’s name, address and date of birth.
MOTTO FOR THE WEEK
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing - attributed to George Bernard Shaw.