Strong second half sees Killavullen into the County Semi-Final
November 10, 2024
Killavullen overcame a sluggish first half when the passing and shot selection was wayward to turn in a dominant second period to run out winners, against Dromtariffe earlier today in the splendid grounds that is now Kilbrin sports community field, in the Quarter Final of the Cork County Junior A Hurling championship.
Dromtariffe opening the scoring in the second minute of the game, from Jack Murphy but we got an equaliser from Jamie Magner, from open play. Again Dromtariffe pressed on, and
two points in quick succession, from their corner forward Brendan Murphy, and midfielder Kevin Cremin. Jamie replied for us, with a converted free after Mikey O Connor was fouled, and the game was on an even score when Jamie got another point from open play, from a considerable distance out, after intercepting the puck out clearance.
Dromtariffe regained the initiative with two quick fire points from dead ball situations and their short passing game, and off the ball running, coupled with making the pitch very big and wide had us in all sorts of bother. Colm O Mahony got a point back for us, from another free, but Jack Murphy, stretched out their lead again, with another point, after a great puck out, found him isolated out on the tram lines. The same player, along with Evan Murphy and Conor O Callaghan were causing no end of problems with inter-play and Jack scored another point for them. Colm scored another close in hard earned free when Eddie Cotter got fouled, to keep the margin in their favour at two points. 0-07 to 0-05 by the 20th minute.
Dromtariffe scored another close in free, and edged further ahead with a delightful point, to please their large travelling supporters. That margin got a considerable extension to it, when Thomas Howard scored a close in goal that gave Charlie in our goals no chance, with his proximity to him, and now the quest for county honours seemed a far way away, after only 27 minutes gone in the game. We introduced Patrick O Grady for Colm Looney to give the Dromtariffe rear guard something different to think about, as high centres into the goal area were being repelled each and every time. Mickey O Connor wrestled free from his man in the 29th minute to score after a good clearance by Liam Cronin, who Dromtariffe kept quiet in the opening half, by simply not going down the middle of the field. We got the last score of the half, when Colm again converted a close in free to leave the margin at five points at half time, 1-09 to 0-07.
On the resumption, Jamie pointed a 65 metre shot in the 2nd minute and the game was completely open in the very next minute of the half after Colm O Mahony goal bound shot was scrambled over the line for a fierce important goal, by the alert Mick O Connor. Strong words at half time had the desired effect on the Killavullen players, as they, to a man came thundering into the game, none more so, than Fionn Magner at corner back, and Liam Fox operating on the 40 metre mark. We were level by the fourth minute of the half when Colm O Mahoney pointed despite close attentions of the Dromtariffe rear guard. Our opponents edged ahead again, from a point from open play from Brendan Murphy and we sprung Owen Magner for Eddie Cotter, off the bench. Padraig Looney was next to put up his hand in a manly way and score a great point, after Liam Cronin, isolated him in space, and Padraig carried on the ball, before shooting it over the bar, when within his range. Owen Magner then was next to score after selling his man a decent dummy and created space to run onto, and score. Colm O Mahony stretched out our lead to two points with another point, over his shoulder to have the margin in our favour by two, mid-way through the second half.
Dromtariffe were next to score from a very long range free from Evan Murphy but Padraig Looney restored our two point margin again with another telling score. Dromtariffe though had got the game to an all square situation by the 23rd minute after two points in quick succession, the second from distance again by Evan Murphy. Darragh O Grady was sprung from the bench to try to gather momentum, and boy, did he do just that. He scored within a minute of being on the field, to put us ahead again, and Eddie Cotter was reintroduced for Padraig Looney who picked up a leg injury. Colm O Mahony scored another point from open play for us, and at the other end Charlie Cremin brought off a great save, down low to his left that was just creping inside the post. We kicked on, following that reprieve and Eoin Birchill and Eoin Buckley were brilliant to stuffing out any dangers from their attacks. Colm scored another free but that man Evan Murphy scored again, in the 2nd minute of injury time to leave the margin at a dangerous two point game. We finished strongly though with points from open play from Darragh O Grady again, then Colm O Mahony, and the reintroduced Eddie Cotter and finally Jamie to put a gloss on the score line, that belies how tight the game was, for most parts.
Final Score Killavullen 1-20 – Dromtariffe 1-14
- Charlie Cremin
- Fionn Magner
- Eoghan Buckley
- Eoin Birchall
- Liam Fox
- Liam Cronin
- Brian Cotter
- Michael Cagney
- Jamie Magner, (0-05, 0-01F, 0-01 x 65M)
- Mickey O Connor (1-01)
- Paul O Sullivan
- Eddie Cotter (0-01)
- Colm O Mahoney (0-08, 0-03F)
- Colm Looney
- Padraig Looney (0-02)
Substitutes.
- Patrick O grady for Colm Looney
- Owen Magner (0-01) for Eddie Cotter
- Darragh O Grady (0-02) for Mickey O Connor
- Eddie Cotter for Padraig Looney (Injured)
Killavullen will play Killeagh now in the County Semi Final - earmarked for next Sunday, the 17th
The complete intriguing semi-finals pairings for the County are now;
- Killavullen V Killeagh
- Ballinora V Tracton