Off to a winning start in Hurling championship.
August 04, 2024
On the first Saturday evening of the fall, Killavullen came prepared and well drilled as they kicked off the Junior A hurling championship 2024 with a comprehensive win over Araglen in Kildorrery. Dry conditions insured a clean, fast game of hurling marshalled by Peter Watson who did a great job in allowing the game to be a free flowing, enjoyable watch.
Killavullen started the game with a Colm O’Mahony brace of points, following good work from Michael Cagney. Conor Twomey of Araglen displayed outstanding free taking throughout the night and started off the night with two frees in the 5th and 7th minute to level proceedings. Two great scores by the O Connor brothers Jack and Mikey sandwiched between a Jamie Magner free to leave the score 0-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes. From here Killavullen really kicked on. A great ball out from Eoin Birchall fell to Mike O Connor who fed the inrushing Paul O’Sullivan to raise the green flag. Less than 90 seconds later the green flag was raised again as Eddie Cotter sent a bullet past the Araglen Keeper. The inside forward line of Eddie, Mike and Paul were impressive with their movement, and the latter two were responsible for the next two scores of the game to leave the score 2-8 to 0-4 after 20 minutes. Araglen got back into the game when a long Ben Carey delivery was deflected past Charlie Cremin in our goals, by Fionnan Hickey. Killavullen responded well with a long range Eddie Cotter point following great defending by Fionn Magner and Charlie Lillis. Jamie converted a trio of frees to leave the score 2-13 to 1-6 at the break, a half in which, through we scored well, we left some chances out on the field as well.
Patrick O’Grady was introduced for Jack O’Connor at the half time, and in the sincere hope that this outstanding player injuries woes are all consigned to history now. We traded frees at the start of the half and soon after hit our 3rd goal with Paul O Sullivan returning the earlier favour feeding Mike in, who finished coolly. Pádraig Looney was also called upon and immediately had an impact pointing a score from a difficult angle, out by the side-line. Araglen replied with a Jack Kearney score. An inspiring catch from Eoghan Buckley, who was rock solid throughout fed Liam Fox who side stepped his man magnificently to put the ball between the black spot from centre field. Patrick O’Grady marked his introduction well with a score from near the side-line to make the score 3-18 to 1-8 after 45 minutes. Araglen then got the next three scores of the game two from Jack Kearney and an Aaron Hegarty effort. A long ball from Liam Cronin was caught by Mike O Connor who slotted his effort over to stall the Araglen momentum. In a game where our attackers stole the headlines, our backs were teak tough throughout. Our full backline of Brian Cotter, Eoin Birchall and Fionn Magner held Araglen to just a singular real goal threat throughout the game. This came when Jack Kearney found his way through our defence and hit a cannonball of a short towards goal. The ball was stopped by the outstanding Charlie Cremin in goal, and when the ball broke to an Araglen forward Brian Cotter bravely put his body in front of the sliotar which resulted in a 65. A brace of Araglen frees were scored either side of a monster Liam Cronin score to finish out the game. The full time whistle blew and that marked a job well done.
Final Score. 3-22 for Killavullen to 1-13 for Araglen.
A really encouraging performance throughout the team in which management will be pleased, particularly coming off the back of a victorious League campaign. Attention for our hurlers now to turn to Charleville in three weeks’ time, who will be no easy task considering the multitude of Cork Minor hurlers they possess., and that clubs great run in Division 1 hurling league, the upper echelons of the leagues in Cork, and a very fine standard. None the less, job done and two points on the board and an impressive performance which Killavullen will be hopping to carry into the next game. The other match in the group will be the meeting of Glanworth and Charleville in Doneraile on Sunday night, and with only two teams to progress from the group, both teams will be anxious to start with a win.
1 Charlie Cremin
2 Fionn Magner
3 Brian Cotter
4 Eoin Birchall
5 Charlie Lillis
6 Liam Cronin 0-1
7 Eoghan Buckley
8 Michael Cagney
9 Liam Fox 0-1
10 Jamie Magner 0-6F, 0-1 x 65
11 Colm O’Mahony 0-2
12 Jack O’Connor 0-1
13 Eddie Cotter 1-1
14 Mike O’Connor 1-4
15 Paul O’Sullivan 1-3
Substitutes.
- Patrick O’Grady 0-1 for Jack O Connor
- Padraig Looney 0-1 for Charlie Lillis
- Jack O’Connor for Colm O’Mahony