Killavullen maintain positive momentum in football championship
September 09, 2023
Earlier tonight, in sun drenched Mourne Abbey, Killavullen had too much about them and defeated Ballyclough on a final score of 4-11 to 1-09 despite kicking a large tally of wides.
Our captain Eoin Birchill opened the scoring from a free in the 1st minute but Damien Buckley equalised with a free for Ballyclough. Eddie Cotter scored a very intelligent goal for us, in the 5th minute after being afforded too much time and space, close in on goals. Ballyclough replied with a point from open play before Padraig Looney kicked a wonderful point for us, on the run. Eddie though was in scintillating form, out in front of his man, all night long, and after a lovely pass into him, from Liam Fox, he rounded his man, and gave the famous Ballyclough custodian, Colm O Neill little chance for another goal, from close in range. Eoin Birchill was pivotal to a lot of good play from Killavullen, and he was the final recipient of quick hand passes, through the hands, that exposed him, in space, and he duly kicked a lovely team point. Ballyclough did not lie down though, and the Finnegan brothers and Damien Buckley led the charge. Damien was the finisher who goaled pass James in our goals, shortly thereafter to leave the score at the 14th minute mark, 2-3 to 1-02.
The referee, on the night, Ciaran O Regan sensibly allowed a water break, for the players to take on fluids. On the resumption, Billy Norris used all of his vast experience to kick a lovely point from open play before Ballyclough responded with a converted free. Killavullen hard running at the Ballyclough rear guard was causing problems and Padraig sent a clever hand pass across the goals, to set up Eoin, his captain for another goal with a palmed effort into the net, in the 24th minute of the game. Padraig got on the scoring sheet himself shortly there after after Liam Cronin had found him in space with a lovely kick pass, but Ballyclough again responded to leave the score at the interval 3-05 to 1-04.
Both teams left the heat of the rare September sun and sought sanctity in the dressing rooms. When they emerged, Billy fed Brian Cotter running well, off the shoulder, and Brian gave the ball to his elder brother to score a lovely point. Jamie Magner then scored a nice point, when he fisted the ball over the bar, when he was in close to goals. Ronan Barry and Liam Fox were doing alot of things well in midfield, and they combined to set up Padraig for another point. At the back, Patrick Angland and Cian O Connor were strong and physical while Fionn, Liam and Paul O Sullivan were very competent in dealing with their opposing players. Brian Cotter was excellent at coming forward with the ball all night long, and offering himself up to be an extra man, in the forward division. James in goals had a relatively quiet night of it, which is testament to the work been done outside him. Ballyclough replied with another point before Padraig effectively closed out the game with another goal and there was only 6 minutes gone in the second half. Ballyclough replied with a point, but Padraig, again kicked a sublime point on the run before Seamus O Mahoney got due regard for a hard shift with a lovely score in the 12th minute of the half.
Sean Bartley, absent way too long for both hurling and football championship this year due to injury, then made a pleasing 2023 championship debut and Cian O Connor was withdrawn. Ballyclough scored another point from Damien Buckley, before Killavullen made several changes to their team, Colin Carey for Padraig Looney, Kian Lane for Brian Cotter and Rory O Regan for Eoin Birchill all got game time. Liam Cronin kicked a point from a free before Ballyclough got two scores back and Billy Norris gained possession, after we squandered it on a few occasions and calm as you like, nonchalantly stroked it over the bar, as if to say, what is all the fuss about, to have the final say, in the game.
Killavullen were good value for their 11 point win, and looked potent when they moved the ball at pace, but will need to sharpen their kicking footwear if they are to advance further in the championship.
Still topping their group was all they could achieve, at this juncture, and that is pleasing.
Final Score – Killavullen 4-11 to 1-09 for Ballyclough.
The team was
- James Angland
- Cian O Connor
- Fionn Magner
- Patrick Angland
- Paul O Sullivan
- Liam Cronin(0-01F)
- Brian Cotter
- Liam Fox
- Ronan Barry
- Seamus O Mahony (0-01)
- Eoin Birchill (1-02, 01F)
- Jamie Magner (0-01)
- Eddie Cotter (2-01)
- Billy Norris (0-02)
- Padraig Looney (1-02)
Substitutes
- Sean Bartley for Cian O Connor
- Kian Lane for Brian Cotter
- Colin Carey for Padraig Looney
- Rory O Regan for Eoin Birchill