Despair in replay for U18 Hurling Group
September 05, 2021
Another big night for Killavullen took place on Friday night as they took on Whitechurch in the highly anticipated replay of the Division One League Plate semi-final. The first encounter was an incredible spectacle and this clash was sure to be no different.
The game started out similar to the previous match, both teams showing great attacking promise. Whitechurch were first to open the score with cork 20s player Michael Mullins slotting over an impressive score. Killavullen did begin to find a rhythm following this, with the main outlet Jamie Magner, showing his ability both from frees and from play scoring four points on the bounce. Following this, Killavullen were dealt a momentum killer as Goalkeeper James O Keeffe who has given a great service to the team all year unfortunately made a rare mistake leading to a goal. Further scores from Jamie Magner and Colm O Mahony saw a Killavullen revival in the closing minutes of the quarter. Killavullen 0-8, Whitechurch 1-3.
The second quarter was a lower scoring affair, but this was due to the impressive defensive displays by both teams. For Killavullen, players such as Sean Palmer and Ronan Barry showed great intelligence on the ball securing both back lines. Jamie Magner provided Killavullen with their only score of this period with another superb free. Whitechurch were able to add a further three points to their tally with some sharp overlapping plays. However, the main talking point came shortly before half time as Michael Mullins for Whitechurch was shown his second yellow card of the game for a dangerous high swing of his hurley. Killavullen 0-9, Whitechurch 1-6.
As can sometimes happen in any team sport when you lose a man, Whitechurch seemed to feed off the adversity and began to gain control at the start of this quarter. This was quickly proven on the scoreboard as the opposition scored 2-1 in quick succession. Killavullen also introduced Colm Hannon and Patrick O Grady during this period. Both players had a great impact on the game with the latter, not long on the pitch, showing why he is in the cork set up for football with a blistering run finishing with style for a goal. Killavullen piled on more pressure soon after as young Colm O Mahony also got the green flag raised with an across goal finish into the side netting. Killavullen 2-11, Whitechurch 3-9.
With 15 minutes left in what already had been a thrilling game of hurling, there was only a point splitting the teams. It was Whitechurch that struck first extending their lead to two points. Killavullen’s Sean Bartley then made a great run from corner back and confidently striked the ball over the bar as good as any forward would. Following this, Killavullen’s one man advantage had also been lost as Eoghan O Hanlon received a second yellow for an off the ball challenge. Scores from Jamie Magner and Colm O Mahony kept Killavullen in the match into the dying embers of the game but Whitchurch were able to grind out the win, advancing into the final of the competition. Killavullen 2-14, Whitechurch 3-13.
1.James O Keeffe
2.Sean Palmer
3.Conor Griffin
4.Sean Bartley (0-1)
5.Kian Lane
6.Ronan Barry
7.Joe Cagney
8.Michael Cagney
9.Eoghan O Hanlon
10.Shane Walsh
11.Jamie Magner (0-11)
12.Colm O Mahony (1-2)
13.Rory Regan
14.Oisin Larkin
15.Ian O Mahony
SUBSTITUTES
17.Barry Cotter
18.Jack Martin
20.Ferghal Hogan
21.Patrick O Grady (1-0)
22.Colm Hannon
23.Colm Nagle
24.Stephen Rea
25.Conor Brennan
26.Dan Cronin