Plate Success for Under 14 Killavullen Footballers
August 30, 2019
Killavullen earned a deserved victory after a tough battle in Araglin against St. Dominics in the Plate Final of the Division 2 Final on Wednesday night. Playing some very attractive football and showing a willingness for hard work from the first to final whistle, this was a fine team performance.
Colm O’Mahony opened our account before the Glanworth/Shanballymore amalgamation nudged in front with two white flags of their own. Colm responded with another fine point before St. Dominics hit a purple patch, scoring the next three points. A Killavullen response was needed and in came in no uncertain terms. Rory Regan, who led the charge throughout, kicked three fine points, two of those from frees. Then Owen Magner, who looked ever-threatening, netted a great goal, followed by an equally impressive goal from Stephen Rea. Eoin O’Hanlon added a point to extend the lead to seven at the short whistle.
St. Dominics upped the ante on the resumption and scored the first point. Killavullen had to dig deep to resist the challenge now and were rewarded with points by Fearghal Hogan and Ian O’Mahony from a free. A St. Dominics point was cancelled out by a Rory Regan free before St. Dominics pressure yielded a goal to reduce the margin to five points. It was all hands to the pump now. St. Dominics were to score four further points on the home straight but these were punctuated by another successful free from Ian O’Mahony and two fine points from play by Eoin O’Hanlon and Colm Hannon. The final score was Killavullen 2-12 St. Dominics 1-11.
Indeed the conclusion could have been even tenser but for a superb save from Darragh O’Connor who had another fine game between the posts. In front of him Charlie Cremin, James Lyons and Tomas Fennell offered resolute protection, while at centre back Barry Cotter gave a tremendous display of defending, ably flanked by Dan Cronin and Fearghal Hogan, who contributed hugely also to Killavullen’s attacking play. Willie Gifford and Eoin O’Hanlon have been amongst our most reliable players in both codes this year and at midfield they both gave another sterling performance.
All six forwards chalked scores on the scoreboard and worked very well as a unit, while the introduction of Shayne Cahill to the attack and Evan Sheahan to the defence gave an injection of energy that matched our resolve to succeed. Rory Regan accepted the plate on behalf of the team and further endeared himself to the large Killavullen following with the sincerity of his speech that complemented his excellent play. Eoghan Forde, Jamie Lowe, Dara O’Neill, Ronan Lankford and Adam Lillis didn’t get the opportunity to display their talents on the night but all are fine players who have contributed greatly to a very satisfying football campaign that yielded the League Cup and Championship Plate.
Darragh O’Connor, Charlie Cremin, James Lyons, Tomas Fennell, Dan Cronin, Barry Cotter, Fearghal Hogan 0-1, Eoin O’Hanlon 0-2, Willie Gifford, Stephen Rea 1-0, Rory Regan (c) 0-4, Ian O’Mahony 0-2, Colm Hannon 0-1, Colm O’Mahony 0-2, Owen Magner 1-0, Shayne Cahill, Evan Sheahan, Eoghan Forde, Jamie Lowe, Dara O’Neill, Ronan Lankford, Adam Lillis
