A cold start undue our County Final ambitions.
December 01, 2024
A cold start in the Cork County Junior A Hurling Final, played in atrocious conditions in Pairc Ui Rinn last night, proved to be one obstacle too far in the maiden quest to bring the Junior A County honours to Killavullen on what had been a brilliant year, here to now.
Tracton opened the scoring with a converted 65 Metre shot, from their ace free taker Ronan Walsh, but we equalised with a converted free, from Jamie Magner after Eddie Cotter was fouled. Tracton regained a lead, they were never to surrender, in the 4th minute, from Ronan Walsh again. They added to that lead with a score from open play, from their other corner forward, Mark Byrne, and pushed on further with a point, from Michael O Sullivan, their full forward. That their full forward line had all scored from open play by the 7th minute was telling, as to the amount of possession, that they hoovered up, out the field, and drove goal wards. They got on the breaking balls, and dived with abandonment into any ruckus situation, and more often than not, came out with the ball. The ground was greasy from the incessant driving rain, and Tracton struck a mortal blow to us, when their full forward gathered a ball out on the wing, shrugged off the Killavullen rear guard, bore down on goals, and finished with aplomb to the roof of the net. 1-04 to 0-01 after 9 minutes was not the start we wanted or needed.
The tackling was ferocious as Killavullen attempted to drag themselves back into a game, that they were fast losing sight of, but they, to their credit steadied the ship, and Jamie Magner scored a great point from midfield, from open play in the 14th minute. Tracton answered that back with another converted free, in a night when the free count to them, and against Killavullen did not make for pleasant reading. The older, wilier Tracton lads were better at putting the head down, in the tackle, and obtaining a free, we simply did not that that guile. We sprung Darragh O Grady for Michael Cagney to try to win more primary possession and Jamie converted a 65 Metre shot, in the 24th minute. Killavullen were awarded a penalty when Mikey O Connor was fouled as he bore down on goals, and the referee took an age, to make his way in from midfield, to consult with his umpires and award the penalty. Funny enough, everyone in the ground knew it was a penalty from the moment of the action, but Jamie drilled his shot low and into the net. Tracton answered that back though, with a point from open play from Ronan Walsh again, a fine score from out on the line, by the Borrenmanna side of the field. Owen Magner was called into action, to replace Patrick O Grady. Darragh O Grady scored a good point for us, from a crowded situation, when he pucked high, over the advancing blocks to score only our fourth point. Tracton were awarded another free, and duly converted just before half time, to leave the score at the break 1-07 to 1-04.
On the resumption, Tracton again scored another free, before Darragh got one back for us, and then Owen Magner scored a great score from out on the wing, into the town end of the venue. Tracton replied again, with scores, from frees in the 5th and 8th minute of the half before we got a point back from Colm O Mahony in the 10th minute. The same player shook out the shackles of his immediate player in the 12th minute to score from open play but Tracton kept us at arm’s length with a score from play, from their corner forward Mark Byrne. We were awarded a free in the 19th minute after several others were over looked, much to the chagrin of the huge crowd from Killavullen and that was scored by Jamie. Colm Looney was released from the bench, for Eddie Cotter. The next passage of play was telling, Killavullen were aggrieved that first Owen Magner was fouled and not given, and then Darragh O Grady, again not given before the ball was spilled, and Tracton scored from their half forward Paul O Riordan. Killavullen valiantly chased the game, but Tracton pushed on with another free. Liam Fox, our warrior in chief, got a score back for us, from open play in the 24th minute to leave 3 points between the teams, but Tracton pushed hard, with the end line in sight, and earned a 65 metre shot, when we failed to clear our lines. That was converted, and then Tracton got the final score, from another free, converted by Ronan Walsh again, to complete the scoring.
Tough luck on Killavullen who had been magnificent all year but Tracton were better on the night, more experienced and just that bit more cunning. The cup was presented to their centre back and Captain, Rory Sinclair, and we departed to the dressing rooms, in the mist and rain, and gloom of a November night, in Pairc Ui Rinn. A forlorn place of shattered dreams when you lose.
Final Score Killavullen 1-10 – Tracton 1-15
- Charlie Cremin
- Fionn Magner
- Eoghan Buckley
- Eoin Birchall
- Brian Cotter
- Liam Cronin
- Paul O Sullivan
- Michael Cagney
- Jamie Magner, 1-04, 0-02F, 0-01 x 65M)
- Mickey O Connor
- Liam Fox (0-01)
- Eddie Cotter
- Colm O Mahoney (0-02, 0-01F)
- Patrick O Grady
- Padraig Looney
Substitutes.
- Darragh O Grady (0-02) for Michael Cagney
- Owen Magner (0-01) for Patrick O Grady
- Colm Looney for Eddie Cotter
Killavullen GAA are immensely proud of the odyssey that these players took us on, winning the North Cork Hurling title for the very first time, and we thank them for that, and to all that assisted the team, in any way throughout the year. To Niall, Pat, Sean and Barry, ye have forged a team, the bestowed great pride in our community.
To our magnificent support, last night was not to be, but ye have been an integral part of a joyous journey.
Thank You.