Plate Football Success in U18 A Football.
September 01, 2021
The first chance for silverware for our Killavullen minors this year as they took on Buttevant in the Division one u18 league plate final in Doneraile. This match presents itself as a great opportunity to further a winning culture being driven into Killavullen GAA club in recent years.
As most finals do, the game began very cagey, with both teams afraid to make mistakes. However, it was the young Buttevant side who were first to break the deadlock as a fast counter attacking move created space for their midfielder who slotted the ball over the bar. It was Rory Regan who got Killavullen’s scoring under way with a well taken strike off his left foot. Soon after, thanks to Killavullen forward’s showing great resilience, Killavullen were awarded a penalty. Seamus O Mahony stepped up to the plate and fired the ball into the top corner like prime Ronaldo. Buttevant responded well with a point just before the whistle sounding the end of the first quarter. Killavullen 1-1, Buttevant 0-2.
It took a whole 6 minutes before the first score of the second quarter came and it was at the hands of the captain Seamus O Mahony who confidently put away a free kick within the opposition 45. Swiftly afterwards, the effort levels shown by the likes of Ronan Barry and Sean Palmer helped Killavullen’s relentless attacks lead to another free. This saw our man between the sticks, Cork minor Niall Murray step up. He placed the ball on the ground and masterfully split the posts. Once again, against the run of play Buttevant found themselves on a dangerous counter attack and once the ball got to the hands of their danger man, number 11, his mission was a goal which he succeeded in getting. Killavullen though, did well to not be disheartened and continued to press at Buttevant's defence with the pace of Jack Martin and Kian Lane on full display. Seamus O Mahony added two more points to his tally, however, right before half time Buttevant snatched another goal again from fast counter attacking play. Killavullen 1-5, Buttevant 2-2.
The second half saw the introduction of Ian O Mahony for Colm Nagle who fought well during his time on the field. Killavullen started this period with a new level of conviction. Jack Martin got his name on the score sheet when he did well to collect a scrambling ball. This started a streak of Killavullen scoring, most importantly a surging run from Seamus O Mahony which led to a vital goal for the blues. Scores from Michael Cagney, Niall Murray and Seamus O Mahony further increased the Killavullen lead. Thanks to sharp defending from the likes of Conor Griffin and Donal Cronin, Buttevant’s attacking success was limited during this period. Killavullen 2-9, Buttevant 2-4.
In the closing 15 minutes, it was Buttevant who were first to strike with a point from play in a bid to mount their comeback. However, the ability to close out a game is vital for any team to be successful, and this Killavullen team showed they can do just that. Killavullen began to wear down Buttevant with smart defence and clinical offense with scores coming from two frees in this period. Players such as Sean Bartley and Joe Cagney showed the great engines they had to keep pressing to the end. Then the echo of the final whistle rang out. Killavullen win the match and win the Division one plate! Killavullen 2-12, Buttevant 2-5.
- Niall Murray (0-3)
- Sean Palmer
- Conor Griffin
- Donal Cronin
- Sean Bartley
- Ronan Barry
- Joe Cagney
- Michael Cagney (0-1)
- Shane Walsh
- Kian Lane
- Seamus O Mahony (2-6)
- Jack Martin (0-1)
- Colm Nagle
- Rory Regan (0-1)
- Eoghan O Hanlon
SUBSTITUTES
17.Colm Hannon
18.Ian O Mahony
20.Stephen Rea
21.Ferghal
22.Dan Cronin
23.Oisin Larkin
24.Conor Brennan
25.Barry Cotter
26.Colm O Mahony
27.Eoin Ford
