A win in Charleville guarantees a league final place
Last Sunday at midday in Charleville, Killavullen were quite impressive in bossing and dismissing a Charleville team that was short of a few regulars, had the misfortunate to see Danny O’Flynn retire early with a hamstring injury, and finished the game with 14 men.
From 1 to the 20 players that Killavullen utilized on the field, and other subs not used, Killavullen set about bettering a Charleville team that dished out some beatings to us in the recent past. We started with a great goal coolly finished by Eddie Cotter under the advancing Charleville goalkeeper, who recently transferred from Athlone.
We added another point from Jamie Magner in the 4th minute before Shane Butler replied with a free for Charleville. Liam Cronin added another fine point from play, and the Killavullen forwards thrived on the expansive game and some delightful ball played in front of them, allowing them to get a steal on their markers. Charleville got another free but Eddie Cotter got another sweet point for us, and then Paul O’Sullivan.
Charleville tried to get men behind the ball, but Killavullen playing with the wind, were the dominant team, and to illustrate the way to get around a packed defence, Padraig Looney kicked a monster kick from way out around the middle of the field, over the black spot in the middle of the goals. Fionn Magner was playing his man from the front and incepted a ball intended for his marker, to set up Eddie Cotter for a point scoring opportunity.
Eddie got fouled in the act of shooting, but Jamie capitalised on the chance and pushed the lead out further from the resultant free. Padraig scored another fine score to display his prodigious talent when on song, but the score of the half was the next one when Killavullen passed the ball quickly and accurately from defence, and Sean Bartley, the corner back, had the wherewithal to be up in the corner forward berth and score a super team point.
Padraig kicked another score to leave the lead at the interval 1-09 to 0-02 in our favour, and we after played with a strong breeze.
Charleville came more into the game after the restart, but it was Liam Cronin who got the opening score after a great deal of patience from the middle eight of our team, who passed the ball around and isolated
Liam to score. Charleville replied with a point of their own, but with Patrick Angland, Sean and Fionn excelling in the fullback line, Charleville often had to recycle the ball out the field and away from our goal. Liam scored again after gathering a great mark from a pass from Brian Cotter and Charlie Lillis, who was the lynchpin and fulcrum of many of our attacking triangles scored from a placed ball, and was withdrawn shortly afterwards to be replaced by Seamus O’Mahony.
Charleville got two points from frees in quick succession but Jamie got one point back after Paudie Looney was fouled. Liam Fox looked like being in on goals only to be tripped by a foot tackle that earned the Charleville defender a red card. At the other end, though quiet for much of the game, James was very alert and got down low to smother a Charleville chance and avert the danger.
Eoin Birchill and Paul O’Sullivan were good in this period at minding the house, and we finished in the ascendancy with points from Paul and Jamie. Ronan Barry had a thunderbolt of a shot cannon off the upright, and Seamus O’Mahony was very unlucky with an effort that the Athlone custodian did well to reach to earn plaudits from his new teammates in Charleville.
Clever play was the hallmark of the Killavullen win, with our backs attacking the ball and carrying on with their run which drew the dangerous forwards from Charleville away from the goals. But also good link-up play from Charlie and Jamie in particular, catching the eye and bringing others into the game. A solid work ethic all around made space for others and the tracking back by the forwards to cut out the space. Overall, a very worthwhile exercise that now sees us advance into the league final with a game to spare.
The referee in Dave Twomey was firm, decisive and fair, and left nothing to quibble about even if a player was inclined to do so.
The team was James Angland, Sean Bartley (0-01), Fionn Magner, Patrick Angland, Paul O’Sullivan (0-02), Eoin Birchill, Brian Cotter, Liam Fox, Ronan Barry, Eoghan Buckley, Charlie Lillis (0-01, 0-01F), Liam Cronin (0-03), Eddie Cotter (1-01), Jamie Magner (0-05, 0-04F), Padraig Looney (0-04, 0-01F). Substitutes Seamus O’Mahony for Charlie Lillis, Michael Cagney for Sean Bartley, Mike Walsh for Eddie Cotter, Colin Carey for Jamie Magner and Billy Norris for Liam Cronin.
UPCOMING ADULT FIXTURES
Sunday, 14th May at 15.00 in Killavullen, Killavullen v Clyda Rovers 2023 Avondhu Division 1 Hurling League.
U18 HURLING GROUP IN REBEL ÓG NORTH FÉ18 HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2 FINAL
In a welter of excitement last Friday night in Kilbrin and knowing that only a win would suffice, Killavullen got the better of Croke Rovers by a solitary point in their final game in the U18 Hurling League. Owen Magner scoring critical free, deep into injury time to seal the win.
The same two teams meet again now in the final on Wednesday night next, 10th May at 7pm in Ballyclough. Best of luck to all involved with the team and their youthful management ticket in Liam Cronin, Jack O’Connor, James Magner and Padraic Coakley.
U7 BLITZ IN MALLOW
Our fabulous U7s were out early last Saturday morning showing their hurling skills in Carrigoon, well done players and coaches. Short of a few players due to the Communion celebrations in Ballygown, this was a great work out for a very dedicated group.
CÚL CAMP COACHES
If you are interested in being involved in the Cúl Camp this year as a coach, on dates between the 3rd and 7th of July, do let our juvenile secretary know of your inter
est. Contact Neasa on 086-3374180. Applications accepted from boys and girls. You need to be 18 years old and Garda vetted, but the club can help in that process.
NO WINNER OF WEEK 19 LOTTO
There was no winner last Tuesday night which came as a relief to our treasurer and lotto manager. Generally when low numbers are selected at random, there is more of a propensity for a win, those numbers coinciding with family birthdays and significant dates in people’s lives. The numbers drawn were 8, 11 and 13. The jackpot on the night was at €1,000.
The winners of the lucky dips were as follows; €50 – Leslie Dunne, seller – John Magner, €30 –Margaret Buckley, seller – Mary Deady and €20 –Patsy O’Callaghan, CTR seller – John Angland.
The next jackpot on next Tuesday night will be €1,100 if there was to be a winner. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website - Killavullengaa. com. Thank you for your anticipated and ongoing support.