Off to a winning start in 2025 Divisional Leagues.
March 01, 2025
Last night in Glantane, under lights, on a dry but cold evening, Killavullen overcame the 2nd team from Kilshannig, in the opening game of the Avondhu Division 1 football league game, for both clubs in the calendar year 2025. It was a new look Killavullen team in many ways, and also new coach in Colman Sheehan and management team of Dan O Sullivan, Conor O Sullivan, Ed O Connor and Willie Fox for 2025.
Killavullen started brightly and had the opening score from a returning Mark Nagle, whose left foot was on fire on the night. Mark had not gone away, just did not figure in 2024. Eddie Cotter followed up with another point, before we got a slice of good fortune when a shot from Mark was partially blocked down, and Seamus O Mahony was loitering with intent in near the goals and forced the ball over the line. Kian Lane was momentarily introduced for Jamie Magner as a temporary blood substitute and slotted in and around midfield when Jamie and the returning Ronan Barry were very effective. Kilshannig were not out of the game though, but not reflected in the scoreboard mainly through to resolute defending, on behalf of the Killavullen defenders, who as a collective were very good on the night.
Kilshannig scored a point in the 10th minute of the game, to open their score for the night, but Mark Nagle, finished two lovely team points in quick succession, before adding a goal in the 15th minute to open up a sizeable lead, but one that did not signal an even enough game, that Kilshannig contributed manfully to. Kilshannig were to become more dominant in and around midfield, which gave them a good platform, and that yielded three points before the interval, and Killavullen were thankful to Michael Walsh in our goals who pulled off a good save, and then, Cian O Connor who somehow got back to avert a certain goal, when we got overran, in a quick break out by our opponents. The score at the break was 2-04 to 0-04 in our favour.
Tomas Fennell and Padraig Cronin were introduced as substitutes for Patrick Angland and Seamus O Mahony, as up to nine substitutes are permitted and this is now very much a squad game. After not scoring for a considerable period of time, not since the 10th minute of the opening half, Liam Cronin, probably the preeminent player on the pitch on the night, roamed up the field in the 10th minute of the second period from his centre back berth, and exchanged some hand passes with Podge Cronin before scoring a lovely point. We had a miraculous escape at the other end of the field when a kick out went astray, the Kilshannig forward blasted the ball towards an open goal, but it cannoned off the cross bar, and was gathered again by a Kilshannig forward who, under pressure from our retreating backs, put his effort narrowly wide of the post. Kian Lane was introduced for Sean Bartley as the half backs are now expected to bomb up and down the field, that that is no easy task on the opening night of the season.
Liam Cronin scored another point that owed much to the quick thinking of Tomas Fennell from a free situation, as the new rules permit the running on player to intervene rather than having to place the ball on the ground and allowing defenders to get set up. Eddie Cotter was desperately unlucky to see a pile-driver of a shot cannon off the post and away from danger after a neat interchange of passes on the wing with Padraig Looney, and Mark Nagle. Colm O Mahony was introduced for Jamie Magner and quickly came up to the pace of the game, and scored a great goal. Kilshannig responded with a point before the game petered out with 3 more points for Killavullen from Mark Nagle, the later from a free. The final score was 3-09 to 0-05.
Good opening game for Killavullen as they come to terms with the new Gaelic football rules and styles of play, that suit. Dissent is now frowned upon and can be very costly in terms of giving up territory and having players in and around midfield that cam catch primary possession is crucial. Padraig Looney was very good in that regard last night, and that allows go-forward possession that yields scores. Very quick and fast game last night, with neither team dawdling about and having defenders that attack with purpose is a real asset to any team. Fionn Magner, Brian Cotter and Liam Cronin were very good in that regard.
The team and those that scored were;
- Michael Walsh
- Cian O Connor
- Brian Cotter
- Fionn Magner
- Patrick Angland
- Liam Cronin (0-02)
- Sean Bartley
- Ronan Barry
- Jamie Magner
- Sean Palmer
- Padraig Looney
- Eddie Cotter (0-01)
- Mark Nagle
- Mickey O Connor (1-06, 0-01F)
- Seamus O Mahony (1-00)
Substitutes Utilized;
- Tomas Fennell for Patrick Angland
- Padraig Cronin for Seamus O Mahony
- Owen Magner for Mickey O Connor
- Kian Lane for Sean Bartley
- Colm O Mahoney (1-00) for Jamie Magner