Better days ahead as we start with division 1 football league win
After all of the recent rainfall the pitch in Milford was in remarkably good condition, testament to the work that this club have done and are currently doing, for the Division 1 football league game on Sunday last. Killavullen were short a few players but would have been delighted with their replacements as they came away with the two points.
Eoin Dillon, talismanic player in hurling and football for Milford, opening the scoring with a free in the 3rd minute but Killavullen responded with a point from Eoin Birchill and a real peach from Shane Walsh after a delightful cross-field pass from Dominic Bolster. Michael Walsh, deputising in goals, for us, made a great point blank save before we went further ahead with another point from open play from Eoin. The same influential player was getting on the end of some good team moves, he is very accurate and was so again for another point in the 18th minute. Eoin Dillion scored another point from a free in the 20th minute but quickly Killavullen worked the ball forward to Seamus O'Mahony who slotted over. Deel Rovers, the Milford team who won Division 2 in 2023, were back on the same score as us when they worked the ball well through the lines and one of our defenders was on the wrong side of his man who finished emphatically to the net. Killavullen responded well with a point in the 30th minute but Eoin Dillon brought the score to a co-score situation with another free in the last minute of the half and leave the score at the interval 1-03 to 0-06.
Killavullen upped the work rate considerably in the second period, led by the spine of the team down the centre of the pitch. Eoin Birchill scored again in the opening two minutes before Shane Walsh scored another point for us in the 5th minute. Sean Bartley scored an exquisite point out on the wing with his left foot, a point that his hero Dessie Dolan from the land of his father in Westmeath, would have been proud of. Owen Magner and Colm O’Mahony were introduced for Colin Carey and Shane and the impetus from these introductions and the increase in the work rate was beginning to tell around the field. Eoin tacked on further points from play and then again from a free to stretch the lead out to 0-11 to 1-03. Milford replied with a converted free before Thomas Fennell was introduced for Ultan Cottey. Killavullen stretched out the lead with a clever point from the reintroduced Colin Carey before Milford gained another point back. Colm O’Mahony got a point to close out the scoring for us.
The final score was 0-14 to 1-05 and it was a good workout for both teams. The reference in the headline is to the horse, Better Days Ahead who won last week in Cheltenham for Gordon Elliott and having previously been in the ownership of TJ Nagle of our parish.
By Milan, out of the mare Bonnie and Bright, TJ will be looking forward to bring further offspring of this fine mare to the sales ring in the future. Bective Stud, owners of the horse, Better Days Ahead, will be dreaming of further glory from a race that has an illustrious roll of honour. Well done to all concerned.
The team was Michael Walsh, Cian O’Connor, Fionn Magner, Sean Bartley (0-01), Sean Palmer, Jamie Magner, Ultan Cottey, Liam Fox, Dominic Bolster, Charlie Lillis, Eoin Birchill (0-08, 0-04F), Shane Walsh (0-02), Colin Carey (0-01), Seamus O’Mahony (0-01), Eddie Cotter. Substitutes: Owen Magner for Colin Carey, Colm O’Mahony (0-01) for Shane Walsh. Thomas Fennell for Ultan Cottey, Colin Carey for Eddie Cotter.
OPENING DIVISION 3 GAME
Killavullen’s Division 3 campaign got under way last Monday 18th in a windswept home game against Kildorrery. In recent years, Killavullen had struggled to place their stamp in this competition, however the effort displayed on the night showed a shift in the right direction. In the end it was defending champions Kildorrery who walked away the victors and proved why they are such a force in the division.
With the wind so strong the first battle of the night was the coin toss, with both teams eager to start with the wind. It was the away side who won the toss and began with the wind at their back. Killavullen started strongly in the opening phases of play with well worked transitions into the final third but failing to take advantage of their chances. Kildorrery however were more clinical and claimed the opening five scores without reply. Killavullen then began to find their feet in front of the posts with two scores from Mike Walsh from frees and a well taken goal from Dominic Bolster, who made a charging run from midfield to slot the ball into the bottom right from range.
Kildorrery began to up the gears nearing half-time with their pacey forwards getting themselves into great scoring positions. Their scoring run was topped off with a goal stemming from a rebound from an impressive first save from young keeper Darragh O’Connor, who showed a lot of promise between the sticks. Half-time scoreline Killavullen 1-02 Kildorrery 1-07.
The second half began with a similarly high level of intensity. The young Killavullen side showed great maturity in possession, working the ball up at pace. Owen Magner at wing forward looked in his element at Junior level with strong link up play. It was Seamus O’Mahony for Killavullen who came up with the big scores in the second half using the wind to his advantage with monster efforts from range. For all Killavullen’s work Kildorrery had answers with two goals from their number 10 that would be the killer blows. Killavullen controlled the closing 10 minutes with Seamus O’Mahony keeping the scoreline ticking over but the deficit was too much to close. Final scoreline Killavullen 1-08 Kildorrery 4-09.
Team: Darragh O’Connor, Tomas Fennell, Cian O’Connor, Donal Cronin, Ultan Cottey, Sean Bartley, Sean Palmer, Dominic Bolster, Colm O’Mahony, Owen Magner, Seamus O’Mahony, Shane Walsh, Michael Walsh, Billy Norris (C), Colin Carey. Substitutes - Evan Sheehan for Donal Cronin, Ian O’Mahony for Billy Norris, Stephen Rea for Sean Palmer, Eoin Jones for Colin Carey.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot last week when the jackpot on the night was, at €1,500. The numbers that were drawn were 6, 16 and 30. The draw on 19th March was be for €1,600. The winners of the lucky dips last week were as follows; €50 Liam Carroll, seller Michael Linehan; €30 Catherine Carey, seller Mary Mellerick; €20 Carol Mansfield, seller The Haven Bar. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website - Killavullengaa. com. Thank you for your anticipated and ongoing support.
FIXTURES
The 2024 Division 1 HL will see Killavullen host our near neighbours, Ballyhooly on Sunday, 24th March at 2.30pm in Killavullen. Our division 3 team play Charleville, in Charleville on 21st March at 7.30pm. Do check our website for the best and most up to date fixture lists, as the times and venues of matches can change, due to pitch availability.
MEMBERSHIP 2023
With all games now up and running, it is imperative that all players have paid their 2024 membership. Remember, no membership paid, no insurance cover for you, in the event of an injury.
Please pay on Foireann website and select Cill An Mhuilinn as your club.
Anyone experiencing difficulties on the platform can play their subscription to any committee member, or make arrangement to pay directly to the club treasurer Des Bartley at 086-1738957 or membership officer John O’Donovan on 086-3934232. The benefits of membership are multi-faceted player insurance, personnel cover, playing league games, playing championship games, referee fees, qualified coaches, weekly training, training equipment, two grass pitches - one floodlight, sand based training area – floodlight, hurling wall and astra turf area – floodlight, grass training area – floodlight, changing rooms, club grounds and maintenance. Award ceremonies and presentations in Community Hall if victorious for juvenile teams. Access to gym and S and C coach.
REBELS’ BOUNTY DRAW FINAL PUSH
Cork finish their 2023 Allianz Football League, with a mouth-watering clash against Armagh in Páirc Ui Chaoimh at 7pm on 23rd March, for which we will have premium tickets. Cork are in a rich vein of form at the moment, having beaten Meath last week in Meath, which is never easy to achieve.
Tickets are still on sale for the Rebels’ Bounty draw, but closing soon. The first draw of Rebels' Bounty 2024 will take place on Thursday, March 27th 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. Paid up members of either (membership or Rebels’ Bounty) for 2024, will be in the draw for premium tickets.
SCÓR NA BPÁISTÍ UPDATE
Killavullen National School had three groups participating in the county semi-final, ballad group, instrumental music group and solo instrumentalist last week and of those two had made it through to the county final in Ovens on 23rd of this month. These were the ballad group and instrumental music groups. Well done to all concerned, and to their teacher Susan O’Keeffe, who has prepared the group very well.
Ballygown School had one group in the semi-finals, in the drama section, but did not progress. The best of luck to all participants in the county final. Here hoping some, more silverware can return to our parish.