Killavullen have a point to spare over Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels

AN injury time point by Owen Magner saw Killavullen pip Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels to the posts when they clashed in the Cavanagh’s Fermoy Division 1 HL at Killavullen on Saturday evening. Exchanges were keenly contested all through with the issue in doubt right till the end. The opening stages saw Killavullen first into the action with Colm O’Mahony and Michael O’Connor having early points.

Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels responded with a free and a ‘65’ by Colin O’Brien to force level at 0-2 apiece and they were also tied at 0-6 each by the 25th minute when Kiernan Daly (3) Liam Cronin, Darragh O’Grady, Kian Lane, Colin O’Brien and Colm O’Mahony were on target for their respective sides. Killavullen shaded matters for most of this half and they edged in front again when accurate free taker Colm O’Mahony pointed a free.

The lead was increased to two soon after when Colm Looney picked out Owen Magner for a fine point 0-8 to 0-6. At the otherend the Gaels were denied a certain goal scoring opportunity when Oier O’Callaghan set up Sean Delee who was denied by a fine save by the Killavullen keeper Charlie Cremin, Colm O’Mahony moved the home side three points clear in the 28th minute.

In injury time Colin O’Brien and Colm O’Mahony swapped a point before Kiernan Daly with a free deep in stoppage left just two points between the teams at the interval with Killavullen leading by 0-10 to 0-8.

The second half was again closely contested as it was very much point for point between two evenly matched sides. Colm O’Mahony, Colin O’Brien, Liam Cronin and Kiernan Daly were very accurate from placed balls for either side as Killavullen held a 0-13 to 0-12 lead by the 40th minute. Liam Fox restored a two point cushion for the home side before the hardworking Eugene Barrett with a fine point for Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels left the narrowest of margins between the sides as they headed into the last quarter.

The next ten minutes saw Colm O’Mahony (2) Colin O’Brien, Darragh O’Grady, Kiernan Daly and Oier O’Callaghan have points as the minimum continued to separate the sides 0-17 to 0-16. Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels managed to get back on parity in the 57th minute when Colin O’Brien pointed a free. From the resultant puckout the Gaels won possession at midfield where Colin O’Brien who was now at centre forward scored a huge point from near the sideline as they hit the front. In a close finish Colm O’Mahony levelling things with a free with the same player landing a huge free from back in his own half back line as Killavullen edged in front again.

The game was tied for the fifth time. Kiernan Daly pointed for the Gaels. With a share of the spoils looming Killavullen struck for the winning score in injury time when the impressive Darragh O’Grady set up Owen Magner who struck the match winning point.