Historic Victory for Killavullen Ladies
January 01, 1970
Tús maith is ea leath na hoibre - Historic Victory for Killavullen Ladies
Like most Irish sayings, it has at least two meanings. The first is: Well done, you've made a good start. The second is: you're not done yet, and that is certainly the case, in point.
Killavullen Ladies team got off to a flyer in their very first official game, last Sunday night in Ballygarvan when they defeated the host team in the 1st round of the league, by 4-14 to 2-03.
This is a county-wide league and Killavullen in their 1st year competing, are playing, in Division 11, and you would certainly need a full tank of fuel, and google maps, to locate all of the teams, as some of these teams, are a considerable distance away.
Other teams in the group are;
St. Colman’s - St Colmans is a parish amalgamation of the Cloyne and Russell Rovers clubs in East Cork.
Shamrocks – Shanbally, Ringaskiddy
St. Finbarr’s
Mayfield
Ibane Gaels - Ibane Gaels is an amalgamation of parent clubs Barryroe and Argideen Rangers
Kilworth
Kilworth would be strongly fancied to win out this league, and advance upwards to play football at the higher divisions, but Killavullen hope to very, very competitive, in this, their first year in operation, and show up well.
Killavullen next game is away to Mayfield, on the 27th of this month, with games away to St. Finbarr’s on the 4th of July, and away to Ibane Gaels on the 11th .
The 1st planned home game is against Kilworth on the 18th of July
So, back to last Sunday night, Killavullen Junior Ladies earned an impressive victory in their first ever league game against a youthful Ballygarvan team that never gave up. A large crowd made the trip to Ballygarvan for this historic occasion and they were not disappointed, as from the opening whistle Killavullen went on the attack.
An early point by Niamh Buckley, followed by a goal from a free by the same player, helped settle the understandable nerves. Emma Nagle, who had started brightly, was unfortunate to suffer a knee injury. Her replacement, Andrea Fresh, made an immediate impression with a couple of points.
Sarah Brosnan was instrumental in creating and taking scores, and Orla O’Regan and Ali O’Shea kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely. It was far from one-way traffic and Ballygarvan had a most impressive forward in Eva Mangan, a Cork City and Irish international soccer player.
The Killavullen defence worked tirelessly throughout, however, and kept chances to a minimum, while a goal from a well-taken penalty by Niamh Buckley helped open daylight between the teams. Catherine Blake brought off a superb save to deny Ballygarvan, while in front of her Olivia Cahill, Claire Nagle, Evelyn Buckley and Aisling O’Keeffe provided excellent cover.
Sinéad Coakley, Claire Brennan and Niamh O’Regan won a lot of ball in the middle third, forcing turnovers and setting up the forwards, where Sarah Brosnan and Orla O’Regan again profited with points. Goals from Niamh Buckley and Kate O’Keeffe, who showed huge determination and stamina, put the game well and truly beyond reach, while points from Caoimhe O’Riordan, Clara Walsh and Shannon O’Shea capped off a very satisfying win.
Killavullen fielded thirty players in all and every player contributed handsomely to securing the opening league points. Such is the strength in depth, with many fine young players bringing great energy to complement the experienced players, it is little wonder that there is plenty optimism that this victory could mark the first step on an exciting journey.
Killavullen 4-14 Ballygarvan 2-03
The panel was;
Catherine Blake, Claire Nagle, Olivia Cahill, Aisling O’Keeffe, Evelyn Buckley, Sinéad Coakley, Clare Brennan, Kate O’Keeffe 1-0, Emma Nagle, Sarah Brosnan (capt.) 0-3, Niamh O’Regan, Ali O’Shea 0-1, Orla O’Regan 0-3, Niamh Buckley 3-2, Andrea Fresh 0-2, Edwina Dingivan, Alice O’Flynn, Niamh O’Gorman, Deirdre O’Gorman, Kayleigh Roche, Shannon O’Shea 0-1, Sarah Lane, Catherine Norris, Caoimhe O’Riordan 0-1, Clara Walsh 0-1, Siobhán Sheehan, Jessica Scuffins, Emma Taylor, Lily Sheahan, Emily Fresh, Shania Butler.
