Shreelawn Oil - Junior C final beckons after S-final win
November 24, 2024
Killavullen advanced into the final of the Shreelawn Oil sponsored Junior C Hurling championship final, after overcoming Charleville in the semi-final, played earlier today in Charleville. Considering the amount of rain that fell, with Storm Bert, over the weekend, and one that immersed Killavullen pitch under several feet of water, the pitch in Charleville was in remarkably good condition, and the young referee, Seamus Sheehan took a sensible approach to the heavy underfoot conditions. When Shanballymore pitch became unavailable, both clubs should toss for home advantage, but Killavullen had to give up that chance.
Both teams, decided before the game to play with 15 players, with the agreement of the referee, in this 13 a side competition.
Killavullen opened the scoring against the wind with a Colm Hannon point, only for the Charleville half forward sporting the No. 12 jersey, to send a booming point over the bar, from a huge distance out, carried by the considerable wind. Sean Palmer restored our lead with a tremendous 65 metre shot, when he kept the trajectory low, but accurate and over the bar. Charleville replied with a free to draw parity, and then took the lead with a converted 65 metre shot of their own. Colm then drew the equalizer for us, from a free and in a tight game, with the wind a big factor, our defence was coping admirably with the forward attacks from Charleville that rained down on them. Barry intervened when Charleville had two players in on goal, but he pushed them wide, and averted the danger, to earn a huge cheer from the Junior A squad, all in attendance, all having an opinion or two on the game, and all well used to Barry, their selector, been vociferous to them, at every training session and match. Pay back time, of sorts. From the free that Barry was forced to concede, Charleville took the lead. Colm equalized from open play, and then, a quick puck out from Barry found Seamus O Mahoney out on the wing, Seamus gathered the ball quickly, and off loaded it down the field to his brother Ian, who split the posts with a delightful score. Charleville equalized again but Colm edged us ahead once more, Charleville drew level again, with a free, and then took the lead from a long range point, but Sean Bartley, Cian O Connor and Joe Cagney combined to release Sean Palmer who hit a delightful point on the run, over the bar. Drawn game at half time, and considering the strength of the wind, the omens looked good for us.
Sean Palmer opened the scoring with a long range point from a free, hit rather nonchalantly, but accuratealy over the bar, and we took a foothold in the game, when Seamus and Colm combined down the centre of the field, following a huge relieving clearance from Patrick Angland, the ball evaded everyone, but the two lads followed it in towards goals, and Colm forced it over the line. Charleville hit back with two points in quick succession, the first from a free, and the other from open play, that was hit hard, and was dipping dangerously in the wind, but went over the bar. Barry would say, that he had it covered, at any rate. Caused a few heart tremors on the line though. Colm pushed out lead out to 3 point again, when Joe Cagney earned a free, and then Sean sent another long range free over the bar, followed by Colm again to have the lead out to five points, with 10 minutes to go. As Charleville chased the game, against the wind, Seamus was very good at exploiting the extra space, and he scored three points from play in this period, whilst Charleville got one back, from a free. Our young full back line of Thomas Fennell and Darragh O Connor deserve special mention – with Patrick Angland at full back, these two young lads played a huge about of ball, and did not lack for tenacity or bravery. Cian O Connor anchored the centre back berth with Sean Bartley and Barry Cotter making it, an all Engineering line, and they were very good on the day. Seamus and Sean were very athletic in midfield, and two excellent hurlers. With Michael Walsh, Joe Cagney and Colm Hannon in the half forward line, they kept the ball moving well, and bought others in the full forwards berths around them into the play, and creating good opportunities. Billy Norris, Rory Regan and Ian O Mahony were the full forward line, in a very pleasing team display.
Colm got the final score of a good natured game that was played in the correct spirit, and Charleville club, sportingly, wished us well in the County Junior Final, next weekend, against Tracton.
- Barry Murphy
- Thomas Fennell
- Patrick Angland
- Darragh O Connor
- Barry Cotter
- Cian O Connor
- Sean Bartley
- Seamus O Mahony (0-03)
- Sean Palmer (0-04, 0-02F, 0-01 x 65)
- Michael Walsh
- Joe Cagney
- Colm Hannon (1-7, 0-05F)
- Billy Norris
- Rory Regan
- Ian O Mahony (0-01)
Substitutes.
- Ian O Gorman for Billy Norris
- Billy Norris for Michael Walsh
- Michael Walsh for Rory Regan