Bright sunshine sees a lovely game in Doneraile - Div 3 Football
April 01, 2024
In bright sunshine in Doneraile earlier today, and we have not been able to say that too often yet in 2024, Killavullen and Doneraile played out a very entertaining and even game in Division 3 Football league. Doneraile were first to score a point but then, their goal keeper, Dean O Reilly pulled off two great saves in quick succession, from Billy Norris, when Billy, was one on one with the goalkeeper. Seamus O Mahony scored our opening point, from open play in the 7th minute, after a good pass, from his brother, Ian. Doneraile went up the field and scored another point, and again were thankful to their goalkeeper, when he saved at the feet of Seamus, after quick exchanges of passes, between the forwards, put Seamus through. Doneraile stretched out their lead with a further point, from their attacking centre back in the 17th minute, before Billy got one back for us, and we gained the equaliser, with a nice point, from Seamus, in the 21st minute. Seamus scored a free for us, to give us the lead in the 27th minute, after the lively and influential Owen Magner was fouled. Doneraile brought the teams to the same score in the 28th minute, and we were grateful to our goal keeper Darragh when he bravely saved at the feet of a Doneraile attacker, in their next attack. Dominic Bolster scored the final point of the first period of a wide-open and lively game in the 30th minute, to leave us ahead at the break0-05 to 0-04.
Sean Palmer was reading the game very well, and attacking forward, and he scored a lovely point, after some neat wrap-a round’s in the opening minute of the second period. All of our good work was undone though, when we were slow to set up our defensive positions, from a Doneraile attacking free. They took the free quickly, and Darragh was powerless, as no less than three Doneraile attackers were inside their markers. They worked the ball cleverly and finished emphatically to the net. Seamus led the fight back though, and scored in the 7th and 8th minute, the latter from a free, to push us ahead by a point again. We introduced the exciting Evan Sheahan and Stephen Rea to the team, and that worked the oracle. Seamus got another point, from another free and Killavullen, spraying the ball around well, and into spaces, exposed Doneraile at the rear, and that opened up opportunities for willing runners, running off the shoulder. Seamus pushed over another point from play in the 18th minute, and Michael Walsh got a fine point for us, to extend our lead. 0-11 to 1-04 with ten minutes remaining. Doneraile got a score back, from the cultured right boot of Charlie Sweeney, from a dead ball situation. But Billy Norris, showing up well for the ball all day, got a lovely point, a point that emanated from good work in our defensive area, started by Ultan Cottey and Cian O Connor. Doneraile stayed in the game with another point, but Seamus punished a close in indiscretion by a Doneraile defender against Stephen Rea. Doneraile got the last two scores from frees, again from Charlie but Killavullen had done enough, and secured the two points on offer, on the final score of 0-13 to 1-08.
Good showing from Killavullen’s younger players, with Thomas Fennell and Donal Cronin in the full back line, well marshalled in their duties by Pa in the middle, and ahead of them, the half back line, of Ultan , Sean and Cian were always eager to work, both forwards and backwards. Midfield with Colm and Dominic worked very hard, while the half-forward line, of Owen, Seamus and Shane played the positions exceptionally well. Inside, Billy Norris, as always orchestrated that Ian and Mike into playing very well, by telling them, when to go, when to hold the positions, and when to spread out the play. Darragh was accomplished in goals, his kick outs were good, and accurate and fast, and he did nothing wrong. Our substitutes, when introduced did not leave the team down, and overall, a very satisfactory work out, for our young but talented team, who no doubt, would have been in Mallow races the day before. Imagine what they could do, if they went to bed early.
The referee, Peter Watson, left the game flow, and that added to the spectacle.
1. Darragh O Connor
2. Tomas Fennell
3. Patrick Angland
4. Donal Cronin
5. Ultan Cottey
6. Sean Palmer (0-01)
7. Cian O Connor
8. Dominic Bolster (0-01)
9. Colm O Mahony
10. Owen Magner
11. Seamus O Mahony (0-08, 0-04F)
12. Shane Walsh
13. Michael Walsh (0-01)
14. Billy Norris (C) (0-02)
15. Ian O Mahony
Substitutes
Evan Sheehan for Donal Cronin
Stephen Rea for Shane Walsh