Killavullen just edge out St Dominics

Killavullen 0-18 St Dominics 2-10

OUTSTANDING free taking by Killavullen’s Michael Fresh paved the way for Killavullen to have a close win over St Dominics in the Under 21BFC at Grange on Saturday.

Over the hour the winners did well but two goals for St Dominic’s at crucial stages had them back in the hunt and they edged ahead early in the second half and were in contention to the end.

St Dominics opened the scoring by Jack Coughlan with Michael Fresh levelling from a 3rd minute free. Michael Fresh followed with two more pointed frees in the eighth and tenth minutes.

Good play by Eddie Cotter to Michael Fresh led to a fine point by influential Padraigh Looney 0-4 to 0-1. Looney added two more quick fire points as the winners moved 0-6 to 0-1 clear.

Good play out of defence by Dylan Connolly led to a very well taken point by Jesse Walsh. Killavullen added another pointed free by Jack O’Connor.

St Dominics had their goal in the 27th minute when Jesse Walsh and Sean Gallagher combined for Jake Buckley who netted. Jake Buckley and Michael Fresh exchanged a pointed free. In the closing moments Fresh was again on target from a very difficult free as the winners led 0-9 to 1-3 at the break.

On the restart good play by Stephen Condon led to a Jake Buckley point. St Dominics introduced Eric O’Donoghue who made a huge impact. Another free by Michael Fresh made it 0-10 to 1- 4.

A quick free by Jack Coughlan was sent over by Eric O’Donoghue. Stephen Condon followed with a goal as the Glanworth / Shanballymore side moved 2-5 to 0-10 ahead. In the 40th minute Michael Fresh levelled. Eric O’Donoghue edged St Dominics ahead after good support work by Jack Coughlan and Stephen Condon.

Entering the final quarter Killavullen forced level when Liam Fox pointed 2-6 to 0-12. Colm Looney soloed through and pointed before Eric O’Donoghue and Jake Buckley combined well for Jack Coughlan who pointed.

Good play by Sean Leonard to Jack Coughlan led to a foul with Eric O’Donoghue giving St Dominics the lead again. Killavullen started a good attack by Brian Cotter who linked up with Eoghan Buckley resulting in a fine point by Padraigh Looney.

Extra time looked very likely. In the closing moments both sides had their chances. Darragh O’Grady worked well for Paul O’Sullivan who kicked a massive point.

St Dominics forced level again when Dylan Connolly placed Eric O’Donoghue for another point 0-15 to 2-9.

Darragh O’Grady won a vital ball in midfield and pointed after a solo run. Good work by Eddie Cotter to Michael Fresh led to a great catch by Liam Fox who found Padraigh Looney who pointed.

St Dominics had a great chance of a winning goal but Aaron Noonan’s effort from close range went over the bar. Michael Fresh ensured victory with an injury time point following a highly competitive game.

KILLAVULLEN: C Langford, B Cotter, S Fox, P Cronin, P Angland, P O’Sullivan 0-1, F Magnier, E Buckley, E Cotter, C Looney 0-1, J O’Connor 0-1f, M Fresh 0-8 (7f), M O’Connor, P Looney 0-5, L Fox 0-1 Subs: D O’Grady 0-1 for E Buckley, L Og Nagle for P Cronin, E Buckley for C Looney, S Woulfe for M O’Connor

ST Dominics: S Masterson, D Mullins, D Curran, E Roche, P Condon, D Connolly, C Whelton, J Coughlan 0-1, C Dennehy, J Buckley 1-2 (0-1f), J Walsh 0-2, S Leonard, S Condon 1-0, S Gallagher, A Noonan 0-1 Subs: E O’Donoghue 0-4 for S Gallagher, F Desmond for D Curran (inj) H McGrath for C Whelton (black card) S Mullins for S Condon

REFEREE: Dave Farrell (Mitchelstown)