Killavullen pip LC Gaels in Division 1 Hurling encounter
May 19, 2024
In a fine night, in front of a fine crowd, the home team of Killavullen just edged out Liscarroll-Churchtown Gaels, here after called LC Gaels, by the minimum margin, in a game as tight as the leader board in the on-going US PGA golf tournament, in Valhalla, Louisville, Kentucky.
Killavullen were effected to make some changes in positions and personnel, due to injuries and exams, and other commitments, but would have been well pleased, that the younger players of Owen Magner and Colm O Mahony showed up prominently. Charlie in goals, is in the same age bracket, and was ultra-dependable all night long and very assured. Colm O Mahony opened the scored for us, from open play in the 1st minute, and Mikey O Connor, who was having a battle royale, with the ace in the LC Gaels pack, Colin O Brien got our second in the 4th. LC Gaels got their opening point from Colin, from a free in the 6th minute, and equalised in the 7th from a 65 metre shot. Darragh O Grady and Kian Lane restored our two-point advantage by the 10th minute, but a carelessly conceded free, undermined a lot of good defensive work, when it was converted. Liam Cronin, who was immense of the night, scored a long range free for us, but our opponents replied with a cleverly worked point, from open play, their first in the 12th minute. Colm scored again for us, after Colm Looney was fouled, but LC Gaels got a similar free and conversion, shortly thereafter, and they drew level in a tit for tat open game in the 22nd minute with another point from play. Killavullen thought they had regained the lead, but the point from an indirect free was correctly ruled out by the eagle eyed referee, Dave Twomey who was authoritative on the night, and explained his decisions, and left the players in no doubt as the nature of their indiscretions, if one was committed. Great to see.
Colm, on free taking duty, restored our lead from another free, and then Owen Magner, pushed out lead with a great point from out on his wing. His ability to find space with clever runs was troubling LC Gaels on the night. At the other end, LC Gaels got in behind our defence and in on our goals, but Eoin Birchill was chasing back, and that combination of Eoin and a brave save by our advancing goalkeeper got the ball away from our goal line, and it was cleared. Colm got a point from open play, after a great clearance from the re-positioned Jack O Connor in the half back line, and he was having a very good game in that station, until forced to retire with an injury. Colin got a long range free conversion back for our visitors. However, Colm added another free, and LC Gaels similar to bring the score at the interval to 0-10 to 0-08.
Eoin O Hanlon was introduced for the injured Jack, and did not weaken the team in any appreciable way. LC Gaels have a habit of having strong second half periods, and duly opened the scoring from play. Liam Cronin was pivotal in a much-changed halfback line of Eoin and Eddie Cotter on the flanks, and Liam scored a long range free, after Liam Fox was fouled in midfield. Colin scored a similar type of score for LC Gaels, and then Liam scored again, from a free conceded against himself. The visitors got another free, and Colm another in reply and then another free for our opponents, in a tight game where there was some excellent hurling played on the night, on a pitch, that Tim O Neill, the Killavullen grounds man has in admirable condition. Sean Palmer was introduced for Colm Looney, and Rory Regan for Mikey O Connor. LC Gaels drew level by the mid point of the half, but Darragh O Grady picked up a ball in the crowded middle third of the field, and snapped a delightful ball over the bar, from distance. We gave away that score cheaply with a needlessly conceded close in free but Colm restored out advantage with a difficult conversion, from a free out of the wing after Kian was fouled. LC Gaels replied with another free, only for Colm, so influential on the night to score from open play. LC Gaels replied with a point from play in the 26th minute to lead only the minimum between the teams, with the end time approaching. Sean Bartley was introduced for Kian Lane to try to get us home. LC Gaels though, grabbed the initiative impressively though with a long range free, and a score from open play.
Killavullen were now behind but held our discipline very well, in that the game plan did not change, and we continued to spray the ball around, and open up the field to be as big as it could be. Liam sent a ball out, by the Blackwater bank side of the field, and Rory Regan battled hard to win a free, it was a difficult angle, but Colm bisected the posts to equalize the game. We then went up a point, when Colm converted a free, that was won when we were fouled coming out of a ruck situation in the middle of the field that would have pleased our management team with the zeal of the application. Owen Magner then scored again for us, in a pulsating finish to open up a two point lead. LC Gaels got a point back in the 4th minute of added time, but our rear guard stayed firm, tight and intact despite two more forays into their space by LC Gaels, and we held onto win by a solitary point.
Good game, in a good competitive league, and if the league is only the precursor to the championship, the GAA fans in North Cork will have a lot of good days ahead.
Now roll on that small matter of the match in Thurles later today, and then, let’s hope that Shane Lowry is an unerring as Colm O Mahony, in his PGA quest in Kentucky.
Final Score; Killavullen 0-20, LC Gaels 0-19
The team was
- Charlie Cremin
- Brian Cotter
- Eoin Birchill
- Paul O Sullivan
- Eddie Cotter
- Liam Cronin (0-03F)
- Jack O Connor
- Darragh O Grady (0-02)
- Liam Fox (0-01)
- Colm O Mahony (0-10, 0-07F)
- Mickey O Connor (0-01)
- Owen Magner (0-02)
- Colm Looney
- Eoghan Buckley
- Kian Lane (0-01)
Substitutes
- Eoin O Hanlon for Jack O Connor (injured)
- Sean Palmer for Colm Looney
- Rory Regan for Mikey O Connor (injured)
- Sean Bartley for Kian Lane