Killavullen saw off Ballyhooly in the opening game in Div 4
March 08, 2025
Killavullen saw off Ballyhooly in the opening game for both teams, in the new Avondhu Division 4 league earlier today in Ballyhooly, on a final score of 3-20 to 2-14. This 13-a-side league was created so that second teams from clubs could get more game time, for their players, both players on the fringe of their main teams, and up and coming talented younger players, coming through from the juvenile ranks.
Killavullen opening the scoring with a Mike Walsh point and added another from Seamus O Mahony. Ballyhooly replied with two points in quick successions from their number 13, the young but impressive Seanan Ahern. Killavullen , exploiting the space that 13 a side competitions allow, saw Niall Feaheny scored an impressive goal, and Seamus was unlucky with another one on one effort, when he was through on goal, but kicked narrowly wide. Ballyhooly got a point back, but Sean Palmer restored that score to us, with a long range point. Ballyhooly were more economical with their scoring and got two frees in quick succession, to leave them two points in arrears. The arrears was quickly wiped out with a good goal and a follow up point. Sean Palmer and Tomas Fennell were the pick of our players on display but what was most pleasing was that generally, we were tight at the defence end, and showed loads of movement up front. Sean Bartley and Barry Cotter looked sharp as well. Sean Palmer added another point, before Sean Woulfe scored a very good goal, when he arrowed and spun his shot away from the Ballyhooly custodian. Seamus got another point for us, and then, Niall Feaheny scored from a free, after good initial play from Barry Cotter in our half back line.
Ballyhooly got a point back from another free, before Sean Palmer stretched out our lead to three points, 2-07 to 1-07 with a long range free. Padraig Cronin increased out advantage before Sean scored a 65 metre shot to leave the score at the break 2-09 to 1-07. Killavullen were quite wasteful in that opening half, clocking up eight wides.
Cian O Connor and Michael Cagney were introduced for the second period, replacing Michael Walsh and Padraig Cronin, just so that all, can get game time. Niall Feaheny scored the opening score, from a free but Ballyhooly answered that point back, with a score from open play. Sean Woulfe scored a nice point from out on the wings and then Niall showed lovely wristwork to wipe over a point from an acute angle, and followed up with another converted free. Sean Palmer, now operated on the 40 metre line got a goal for us, that our general play deserved after a great clearance from Sean Bartley found his house mate from college free, in space and Sean Palmer punished the looseness of the Ballyhooly rear guard with an arrowed shot to the net. Ian O Mahony, Evan Sheahan, Colm Hayes and Seamus Cronin were introduced to get these young players used to adult competitions, while Colm Hannon was introduced and used sparingly as he may be needed tomorrow for the first team.
Sean Palmer and Seamus O Mahony added further scores, but Ballyhooly replied with two long range points, to signal that they had not given up the fight just yet. Seamus added another point, and that was the cue for his withdrawal. Ballyhooly got another point from a free but the newly introduced Evan Sheahan turned sharply, in near the goal and sent a looping point over the bar, to bring our tally to 3-16. Ballyhooly again replied in this most open of games before Colm Hannon scored a lovely point when in open space, Again Ballyhooly replied but we finished with another Colm Hannon free, then Ballyhooly goaled before Colm Hannon again, and Ian O Mahony finished our scoring at an impressive 3-20. Darragh did nothing wrong in our goals, with Conor and Pa giving him good protection.
Pleasing result to get game time into some many legs, and loads of improvement to come.
The team and scorers were;
- Darragh O Connor
- Conor Brennan
- Pa Angland
- Barry Cotter
- Sean Bartley
- Tomas Fennell
- Sean Palmer (1-04, 0-01F , 0-01 x 65
- Joe Cagney
- Sean Woulfe (1-01)
- Michael Walsh (0-01)
- Padraig Cronin (0-01)
- Niall Feaheny (1-04, 0-03F)
- Seamus O Mahony (0-03)
Substitutes
- Cian O Connor for Michael Walsh
- Michael Cagney for Padraig Cronin
- Evan Sheahan (0-01) for Seamus O Mahony
- Colm Hannon (o-03, 0-01F) for Sean Palmer
- Ian O Mahony (0-01) for Niall Feaheny
- Colm Hayes for Joe Cagney
- Seamus Cronin for Sean Woulfe