Killavullen pip Araglin in league in useful JBHC warm-up

CAVANAGH’S FERMOY DIVISION 2 HURLING

LEAGUE Killavullen 4-11 Araglin 1-16 BOTH Killavullen and Araglin had a useful workout for this weekend’s County JBHC when they played out an entertaining Division 2 HL encounter at Araglin on Saturday with victory going to Killavullen in the end by a four point margin.

The winners got off to the best possible start when a delivery by Barry Murphy from out near the sideline was finished to the net by Tom O'Regan.

Further pressure yielded a second goal in the seventh minute when Paddy Nagle finished to the net following a goal mouth scramble and they followed with some well taken points by Barry Murphy (2) and Declan Dorgan to surge into a 2-3 to 0-2 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

As the half went on the Araglin challenge improved greatly. James Kearney and Paddy Nagle traded a goal each within the space of a minute before saw James Kearney (2) and Richie Whelan with points narrowed the deficit to 3-3 to 1-5 by the 24th minute. Killavullen replied with a point each by John O'Regan and Barry Murphy with James Kearney completing the first half scoring when he pointed a free for Araglin who trailed at the shortwhistle by 3-5 to 1-6.

On the changeover the game really came to life. Araglin started in a very positive manner with Tom Kenneally, James Kearney, Dave Browne and Neilius Kearney reeling off seven points between them that set up an interesting last quarter when just a point separated the teams 3-8 to 1-13.

Over the next couple of minutes Barry Murphy and James Kearney traded a point each before Killavullen put a bit of day light between the teams once again in the 53rd minute when a good clearance out of the half backline by Kevin Fox eventually saw the former Clare Senior Hurler Barry Murphy breached the Araglin backline for their fourth goal of the game.

Araglin tried hard to get back on terms with Dave Browne and James Kearney having a point each but they were unable to close the gap any further with Killavullen ensuring themselves victory when Declan Dorgan and Liam Cronin added late points. KILLAVULLEN: M Cronin, R Dorgan, S Rice, J Coakley, K Fox, B Norris, P Egan, L Cronin 0-2f, D Dorgan 0-2, A O'Driscoll, J O'Regan 0-2, C Lillis, B Murphy 1-5 (0-1f), P Nagle 20, T O'Regan 1-0. Sub: A Notter for S Rice, ARAGLIN: M Lyons, L Keane, S Russell, K Fitzgerald, B Allen, T Lyons, T Kenneally 0-3, P Hickey, S O'Gorman, T Aherne, D Browne 0-2, R Whelan 0-1, P Kenneally 0-1, J Kearney 1-8 (0-6f), B Keane. Subs: N Kearney 0-1 for T Aherne, T Aherne for B Allen, REFEREE: John O'Brien (Ballygiblin)