Strong second half from Glanworth ends our 2022 league ambitions
Glanworth advanced to the Division 1 league semi-final after a dominant second half performance allied with some outstanding saves from their goalkeeper in the first period undid Killavullen’s aspirations to advance to the Division 1 league semi-final. This game was a replay for the initial semi-final back in October 2022 when Glanworth did not engage in the allocated extra time and the Avondhu board issued them with a fine and ordered a replay.
This game was that replay, some 4 months later. Glanworth opened the scoring from their talismanic forward Stevie Condon from a free in the opening minute but aided with the wind we replied and got on parity with a Liam Fox point. Glanworth regained the lead only for Mikey O’Connor to show up well for a ball and split the posts from his uncustomary full forward berth. Glanworth again went in front from another Steve Condon free only for Jamie Magner to score the equaliser from open play. Jamie scored again in the ninth minute and Eddie Cotter put us two ahead with a point in the 11th minute.
David O’Sullivan in goals for Glanworth pulled off a great save from Eddie shortly thereafter when Eddie hit a crisp shot down into the ground. On firm ground in summer it would have zipped off the surface and been unstoppable but in early February the ground deadened the speed of the ball. The Glanworth halfback line was on top for much of the game and an individual from that line - Podge Hanlon - scored a fine point from distance to reduce the arrears and it was back to an even score 0-05 apiece with another Steve Condon converted free. Mikey O’Connor forced another very good save from their custodian before we took the lead again from Jamie, one of our few forwards that was capable of winning his own ball on the day. Jamie put us two points ahead with a converted free in the 22nd minute and Padraig Looney drilled a lovely point over the ball to place us 3 points ahead in the 25th minute.
Jamie scored again from a placed ball in the 26th minute before Fionn Magner scored from a tight angle out on the wing in the 28th minute. That was our lot for the first period but just before the half-time whistle Glanworth got another long-range point courtesy of Sean Finn. 0-10 to 0-06 was the score at the break.
GLANWORTH UP THE INTENSITY IN SECOND HALF
We opened the scoring in the 4th minute of the second period with another Jamie Magner point but then after struggled for long periods to get past the middle third of the field. Glanworth had upped the intensity and we could not cope with their physicality. Glanworth scored their seventh point from Stevie Condon, again from a free before this fine player hit a brace from open play to bring their tally to 0-09. Killavullen rang out a number of changes to try to influence the game with Colm Looney Seamus O’Mahony and Gary Lane introduced for Mikey O’Connor Joe Cagney and Sean Palmer. Glanworth scored another converted free and then drew level by the 15th minute of the game from another Steve Condon point. Killavullen had a point disallowed for an infraction in a goal mouth scramble that Seamus O’Mahony broke free form and he thought he had scored only for the umpires to bring something to the referee’s attention. Either way good decision or otherwise the score did not count.
Glanworth went one point up in the 21st minute but then quite quickly Steve Condon as good as won the game for Glanworth with a low, powerful shot from distance to open up a commanding lead 1-12 to 0-11. The same player added two more points to bring their tally to 1-14 before we woke from our slumber to earn a free which Jamie converted in the 26th minute of the game. In those 22 minutes, from the 4th to the 26th we failed to score and that was effectively the big story of the game. Cian O’Connor introduced for Paul O’Sullivan nearly got on the end of a goalmouth shot with a flick but he earned free shortly thereafter. Jamie converted that free and another in the 30th minute to leave only a goal between the teams. Glanworth got a another converted free deep in injury time but Eoghan Buckley cancelled that out with the final score of an entertaining game. 1-15 to 0-15 was how it finished in the end.
Both teams would have been pleased with the game in parts but certainly not the whole and Killavullen’s experimental forward line was largely ineffective. More tweaking will be necessary to find a balance that will be competitive in the leagues and championship in 2023.
Team: Michael Cronin, Sean Bartley, Ronan Barry, Joe Cagney, Eoghan Buckley (0-01), Liam Cronin, Padraig Looney (0-01), Liam Fox (0-01), Eddie Cotter (0-01), Fionn Magner (0-01), Jamie Magner (0-09 0-06F), Brian Cotter, Paul O’Sullivan, Mikey O’Connor (0-01), Sean Palmer. Substitutes - Colm Looney for Joe Cagney; Seamus O’Mahony for Mikey O’Connor; Gary Lane for Sean Palmer; Cian O’Connor for Paul O’Sullivan.
Kilshannig won out the other semi-final against Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels and thus the final is between Kilshannig and Glanworth, who have history. It should make for a fine attendance at the final next weekend.
SCIATH NA SCOL SUCCESS FOR BALLYGOWN 4TH CLASS STUDENTS
What an unforgettable day! Massive congratulations to the 4th class boys' hurling team from Ballygown National School who brought home the cup for their section of the Indoor Hurling County finals last week at the Sciath Na Scol hurling competition that was held up in the indoor training facilities of the famed Na Piarsaigh club in the northside of Cork.
Sciath na Scol is a schools’ based organisation which organises Gaelic games in the primary schools of Cork city and county. There are over 400 schools affiliated in the various codes catering for 7,000 children annually.
The Ballygown team played with unbelievable skill and determination and every player contributed hugely to the success. They had a convincing win over a gallant Kilmagner team in the first semi-final and it was clear from the standard of hurling in the second semi-final between Ballinspittle and Dungourney that the final would be a huge challenge. Our boys scorched into an early lead before a nail-biting finish saw them hold on for a well-deserved 5-3 victory over a super Dungourney team. There was naturally great excitement and joy at the final whistle.
Their families and classmates gave them tremendous support and it was so good to see the close bond that ties this wonderful class together. Well done to Seanán, Colin, Cian, Dylan, Billy, Ciarán, Max, Joe and Neddy and a special mention to Paul who played a big part in getting us through the North Cork section but unfortunately missed out on the day due to illness. We are extremely proud of you all.
NO WINNER OF WEEK 6 2023 LOTTO
There was no winner of the jackpot last Tuesday night, 7th February when the numbers drawn were 7, 30 and 35. The jackpot on the night was at €1,800. The next jackpot will be €1,900 if there was to be a winner. The winners of the lucky dips on last Tuesday night were as follows; €50 Niall Hanrahan, seller Denise Hanrahan; €30 Timmy Buckley, seller John Angland; €20 Eileen Walsh, seller Mary Mellerick.
Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website - Killavullengaa.com. Thank you for your anticipated and ongoing support.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
The 2023 leagues will commence with the following games concerning Killavullen. Sunday, 26th February at 2pm in Ballyhooly, Killavullen v Ballyhooly 2023 Avondhu Division 1 Football League – 1st game. Sunday, 5th March at 2.30pm in Killavullen, Killavullen v Shanballymore 2023 Avondhu Division 1 Hurling League – 1st game.
Please check with our media outlets and especially our website closer to the dates in case of any changes in date location or time.
MASS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS
A Mass for deceased members of the club will be said on Saturday, 18th February at 7pm. We hope that people will come along to Killavullen church in their club colours and participate actively in this special and poignant Mass for our departed friends.
JUVENILE TRAINING
Killavullen juvenile group started back our indoor training in Mallow GAA Complex, Carrigoon on 7th February and it was a fantastic start with excellent numbers building on the successes of good participation in 2022. Boys and girls are welcome to participate. U6s to U9s at 7pm until 8pm. U10s to U12s at 8.00 until 9pm.
Total cost of the 8 weeks training is: €25 for Juvenile GAA Club members and €55 for non-members (this covers the cost of registration). See you there. Contacts will be Dave McCarthy on 087-9953632.
Brian O’Driscoll 085-1744420.
All juvenile training has now commenced back either in Mallow and supplemented by activities in our own facilities or totally within our own facilities in Killavullen.
UPGRADE WORKS
The club has not been idle over the winter period and have invested again in an effort to accommodate all that want to train and play with our club. There has been a reconfiguration of the main electrical panel within the clubhouse so that it is now possible to have lights on all areas of the grounds on simultaneously. Previously you could have the lights on in the astro turf and the sand based training area but not concurrently it was simply drawing too much power and tripping some MCBs in the main electrical panel.
Lights for the Area 3 training area and the backfield are now run from a generator acquired with assistance of a grant from the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport.
We are not finished yet so some patience is required but with the club chairman Finian Magner driving progress forward we will ultimately succeed in improving our facilities considerably. Of course, all of those improvements (and some that may not be quite so obvious) require money so we would be grateful if people would support our efforts through the Rebels’ Bounty or the local lotto draw and renew their membership subscriptions which are now due.
MEMBERSHIP 2023
Membership for all aspects of the club is now due for 2023 and should be paid through Foireann. Any person experiencing difficulties on the platform can play their subscription to any committee member or make arrangement to pay directly to the club treasurer Sean Turner at 086-6015779 or membership officer Ian Roche on 086-397 9833
REBELS’ BOUNTY DRAW
Tickets are now on sale for the Rebels’ Bounty Draw. The first draw of Rebels' Bounty 2023 will take place on Thursday, March 30th in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm. Draws for January February and March will take place on this date. Ticket sales will close at 1pm on the day of the draw.
The next game and thus draw for the Killavullen GAA Premium tickets will be Cork v Dublin in what is sure to be an atmospheric Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, 19th February at 15.45. To be sure to be in the draw please pay your membership and subscribe to the Rebels’ Bounty 2023. Paid up members of either for 2023 will be in the draw.
NEW TEAMS FOR 2023
In addition to the previous adult teams that Killavullen GAA Club entered, this year in 2023 we have also entered to play in Division 3 hurling leagues in Avondhu.
We would request all players who do not get on the Division 1 team to supplement this team as well as upcoming 18-year old players and some that may have contemplated retirement to forego that plan for another year.
This team will provide a pathway from the Division 3 team to the Division 1 for players that show up well but also it will be a chance for others players to participate. Perhaps they cannot make all of the training sessions with the Division 1 team due to work or family commitments but the competition for places in the Division 3 team should equally ensue competitive games but only if there is a collective buy-in from the eligible cohort of players.
The management team of John Brennan and Barry Murphy are distinct from the Division 1 structure of Tommy Cremin, Liam Dorgan and Niall Hanrahan. Training will be on Tuesday and Friday nights with either a game or training on Sundays. The Division 3 opening game will be on the week ending 19th March.
For more information please contact John Brennan on 0874128847. Payment of membership as with all teams will be a prerequisite for insurance purposes prior to training and playing.
CONGRATULATIONS TO IAN SHANAHAN
Killavullen GAA Club extends warmest congratulations to Ian Shanahan from the Ballinakill club in Co Laois who made his senior inter county debut in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 game involving Laois and Waterford in O’Moore Park. Ian would have previously played with his county minor and U20 teams and attends college in the University of Limerick. Ian is the grandson of Donie and Mary Turner from Carrig in our parish and is a frequent visitor to our small neighbourhood.