Killavullen win club’s first ever U-21 ‘B’ hurling championship title
Killavullen 0- 18 Clyda Rovers 2-6
KILLAVULLEN breached a 24-year gap when they won the U-21 B HC title at Buttevant on Sunday when they overcame Clyda Rovers in a keenly contested final.
The winners defence were very solid all through. Darragh O’Grady opened the scoring with Noah Butler adding a point in the fourth minute. Conor Corbett pointed a free for Clyda.
The Mourneabbey side hit the front when a free by David Walsh found Dominic Cronin who placed Ben O’Connor for a lead goal. Luke Brophy saved well from Liam Fox. Killavullen struck some good points by Michael O’Connor (2) Liam Fox and Padraigh Looney as they moved 0-7 to 1-2 clear. Good play by Michael Fresh led to a fine Eddie Cotter point. At half time Killavullen were 0-9 to 1-3 clear.
On the restart Michael O’Connor and David Walsh exchanged an early pointed free. The winners hit a purple patch and four rapid points by Jack O’Connor (3) Liam Fox and Michael O’Connor stretched their lead 0-15 to 1-4. Clyda Rovers battled to the end. Ben O’Connor pointed and they forced a penalty when Ben O’Connor was fouled in the area in the 50th minute. David Walsh goaled from the penalty and he followed with a pointed free 0-15 to 2-6. Killavullen finished very strong. They had three late points by Jack O’Connor (2) and Michael O’Connor as they emerged winners by a six point margin.
After the game Ciaran O’Regan, on behalf of Red FM Radio, presented the Cup to the winning captain Eoghan Buckley. Michael O’Connor was named ‘man of the match’.
P Cronin, P Angland, F Magnier, M Fresh, S Fox, E Buckley, B Cotter, E Cotter 0-1, M O’Connor 0-7 (6f), P O’Sullivan, P Looney 0-1, N Butler 0-1, J O’Connor 0-5, L Fox 0-2, D O’Grady 0-1. Subs: S Woulfe for N Butler (inj) C Looney for D O’Grady.
L Brophy, G O’Hanlon, E Doherty, A Walsh, D Fitzpatrick, E Walsh, S Browne, D Walsh 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2f) D Buckley, D Cronin, C Kelly, W Cronin, M O’Sullivan, C Corbett 0-2f, B O’Connor 1-1.
REFEREE: Colm Maher (Buttevant)