Killavullen see off Ballyclough in Division 1 Football league
April 27, 2024
Last night in Ballyclough, Killavullen put the disappointment of the recent loss to Liscarroll – Churchtown Gaels behind them, when they accounted for Ballyclough in the latest game in the Avondhu Division 1 football league. Ballyclough opened the scoring with a point in the opening minute, but Killavullen, more sharper than the ring rusty display, on Tuesday last, were ahead, when Eddie Cotter, turned his man, and raced in on goals, and finished very well, low and direct into the corner, for our opening goal. Padraig Looney was next to score, a real lovely point, from distance, that modern teams in their defensive structure cannot counter act – a score, from outside, the scoring zone. Ballyclough replied with a point in the 12th minute, but Seamus O Mahony erased that score with a nice point, on the 16th minute. Ballyclough scored the next point, in a nice game of football, from a close in free, on the 18th minute but Liam Cronin fetched the resulting kick out, in a crowded midfield area, and off loaded to Liam Fox, who raced through, and scored a fine point. Padraig added another point, and then Jamie Magner to open up a lead of 1-05 to 0-03 by the 22nd minute.
Though we are now late into April, and the leagues , in theory started in Feb, a lot of teams have very little ball work done, on the playing fields, due to the previous inclement weather, so though plays sometimes broke down last night, that sharpness will return. Both sides were guilty of turnovers in that regard. Ballyclough got a point back from open play, from their attacking wing back in the 26th minute and another point in the next play, after they intercepted the kick out but Liam Fox added another point to his tally, and then, right before half time, Dominic Bolster scored a lovely point, after cutting in intelligently from his wing. The score at the interval was Killavullen 1-07 as against 0-05 for Ballyclough.
Patrick Angland replaced Brian Cotter, our full back, for the second half, more as a precaution than anything else, as Brian recovers from a knee issue. Killavullen opened the scoring right at the start of the second half, when Eoin Birchill finished with his open palm to the net, after great exchanges of fast hand passes had opened up the Ballyclough rear guard. Padraig had delivered the final pass across the square for Eoin to finish. Ballyclough replied with a close in free, and then another point, from their marauding halfback, who was to end up with three points, from open play during the game. Sean Palmer replaced Dominic Bolster at this juncture. Eoin added a point from a free to us, after Sean Bartley was fouled, close in on goals, and Eddie Cotter added another point. Padraig added to his impressive night’s tally with another peach of a score, before Eoin scored another point from a free in the 22nd minute. Colm O Mahony, Colin Carey and Ultan Cottey were all utilised as substitutes in and around this time. Killavullen were awarded a close in free, and seeing an opportunity, Eoin took the free quickly, but it cannoned off the post and away from goals, much to the relief of Ballyclough, who had not set up properly for the close in free. Colin Carey went close with another goal chance, but it fizzed across the square, and out wide. Ballyclough added a point from play, and right before the final whistle, Tom O Neill, from Ballyclough, was alert to a free striking the upright, and fisted the ball over the bar. Killavullen would be pleased with their defensive display, offering good protection, to Michael in goals, who got his kick outs away very quickly, either short or long.
The referee of the night was vastly experienced Wayne King, who has been the referee in senior inter county games, and he was complimentary of both teams, and their football prowess.
Final Score: Killavullen 2-12; Ballyclough 0-10
Well done to all concerned.
The team was
- Michael Walsh
- Fionn Magner
- Brian Cotter
- Cian O Connor
- Paul O Sullivan
- Liam Cronin
- Sean Bartley
- Liam Fox (0-02)
- Jamie Magner (0-01)
- Padraig Looney (0-04)
- Eoin Birchill (1-02,0-02F)
- Dominic Bolster (0-01)
- Eddie Cotter (1-01)
- Seamus O Mahony (0-01)
- Charlie Lillis
Substitutes
- Patrick Angland for Brian Cotter
- Sean Palmer for Dominic Bolster
- Colm O Mahony for Charlie Lillis
- Colin Carey for Seamus O Mahony
- Ultan Cottey for Sean Bartley