Killavullen advance in U21 Grade
December 19, 2022
This round of U21 Championship felt like it would never come, with fixture delays constantly sending matches further and further into winter. However, the day did come, and Kilworth/Araglen Gaels went up against Killavullen in Ballyclough in an entertaining game from start to finish in difficult conditions.
With Kilworth/Araglen Gaels arriving on the day with only fourteen players, the onus was on Killavullen to make use of the extra man. To their credit, this young u21 side did just that, exploiting the gaps with sharp kick-passing and off-the-shoulder movements. Kilworth/Araglen Gaels did well to keep the game competitive for the first thirty minutes. However, Killavullen wrote their own script for the second half and walked off as worthy winners.
As the game began, it resembled figure skating more than a game of football as players struggled to adjust to the slippery environment. It was corner forward Mark Nagle who was first to find his feet as he finished off a great passage of play from the blues with a nicely floated score. Kilworth responded in kind with fast movement down the flanks to tie the game. A series of turnovers from both teams meant there was an absence of scores in the opening fifteen minutes. Jamie Magner was next in line to score for Killavullen completing a move of swift link-up play between Patrick O Grady, Mark Nagle, and the scorer.
Killavullen were forced into two early changes as Eoin Birchall and Joe Cagney went down injured. These were replaced by Michael Cagney and Darragh O Grady, who both took full advantage of the opportunity.
Killavullen began to gather momentum with intricate team play leading to some impressive scores from the likes of Mikey O Connor, Ronan Barry, and Kian Lane, with the latter showing his turn of pace scoring two in quick succession. Killavullen’s defensive structure was key to keeping Kilworth at bay. In particular, Conor Griffin at full-back, who was strong on the ball and looked very comfortable in the position. The sides entered halftime with Killavullen ahead 0-4 to 0-7.
Following the changeover, it was quickly evident that Killavullen had no plans of taking their foot off the pedal. Kilworth/Araglen Gaels were struggling to find a way to cut off Killavullen’s constant supply of attacking threats. Scores began to come from all avenues as Killavullen's delightful kick passing, particularly from midfielders Ronan Barry and Liam Fox, proved a decisive factor in getting the forwards into good scoring positions. Patrick O Grady showed the value of intercounty experience with two well-taken second-half scores.
With fifteen minutes of play left, the scoreline was 0-4 to 0-10 in favour of Killavullen, with Kilworth yet to score since the restart. As time ticked on, although Kilworth heads never dropped, it continued to be one-way traffic with scores from Jamie Magner, Darragh O Grady, and Mark Nagle putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive win for the men in blue.
Final Score - Killavullen 0-13 to Kilworth/Araglen Gaels 0-04
Next Up - Buttevant in the Semi Final
TEAM:
1.Niall Murray
2.Cian O Connor
3.Conor Griffin
4.Joe Cagney
5.Eoin Birchall
6.Fionn Magner
7.Brian Cotter
8.Liam Fox (0-1)
9.Ronan Barry (0-2)
10.Mikey O Connor (0-1)
11.Jamie Magner (0-2)
12.Kian Lane (0-2)
13.Patrick O Grady (0-2)
14. Seamus O Mahony
15. Mark Nagle (0-2)
SUBS:
Michael Cagney for Joe Cagney, Darragh O Grady (0-1) for Eoin Birchall, Rory Regan for Mikey O Connor, Ultan Cottey for Jamie Magner, Colin Carey for Kian Lane.