Still a bit off

Araglin 1-11 Killavullen 1-19

Killavullen, Fermoy and Ballygiblin are still in contention to qualify from the round robin series of matches in this year’s Avondhu junior A hurling championship. Having already gone down to Fermoy (who drew with Ballygiblin last weekend), we also found Killavullen too strong when the sides met in Mitchelstown last Sunday afternoon. We weren’t exactly blown away, but still lacked a bit of composure to really pressurise the opposition.

Our brief period of dominance came at the start of the game, when helped by a goal and a point from full forward, Martin Keogh, we had the upper hand. A pointed free and a point from play by Fionnan Hickey, saw us lead 1-03 to 0-03 at the waterbreak. At that stage, it looked like we were working to a plan and getting results.

Unfortunately, as the game wore on, we seemed to lose our way. The early loss of influential full back, Shay Russell, didn’t help our cause when he had to leave the field with a hamstring issue. This, combined with the absence of another strongman, Oisin Hickey and experienced defender, Cain O’Mahony, were other big minuses. Paddy Kenneally came on for Shay and gave a good account of himself. Our early promise faded and we hadn’t improved our scoring when the half-time break came - Killavullen 1-08 Araglin 1-03.

More changes and more rejigging followed, with Dave Browne and James Kearney replacing Sean Motherway and Laurence Lomasney. Fighting an increasingly rearguard action, we got our first score in a long time, when Jack Kearney created and executed a well taken point. Fionnan brought us up to 1-05 when he pointed 11 minutes into the second half (Araglin 1-05, Killavullen 1-13). At the second water break, it was 1-05 to 1-14.

We found scores hard to come by and a series of players malfunctioned from dead ball situations. It wasn’t until midfielder Sean Hegarty, took over the free taking that we got some consistency. He rattled off two in quick succession, before Brendan Allen slotted over from a difficult angle. Sean Hegarty converted two more frees and a ‘65’ before the end, to give us a total of 1-11.

In the meantime, Killavullen had massed 1-19. Not a classic by any standard, but the better team still won and Killavullen probably have a bit more improvement in them. Sean Brackett did OK in goals and brought off one very good save. Defensively, we lost Shay, with one of the corner backs, Laurence Lomasney, also being withdrawn. Keelan Condon did alright in the corner. Paul Hickey, Ben Carey and Dooner comprised the half back line with, Sean Hegarty and Paul Hynes teaming up in the middle of the park. Brendan Allen, Sean Motherway (who was also substituted) and Fionnan Hickey, made up the half forward line - leaving Jack Kearney, Martin Keogh and Peter Finn to lead the attack. Simon Walsh came on for Peter.

Team, scorers and panel: Sean Brackett (GK), Keelan O’Gorman, Shay Russell, Laurence Lomasney, Paul Hickey, Ben Carey, Tom Kenneally, Paul Hynes, Sean Hegarty (0-05, 4 frees + 1 ‘45’), Brendan Allen (0-01), Fionnan Hickey (0-03, 1 free), Sean Motherway, Jack Kearney (0-01), Martin Keogh (1-01) and Peter Finn. Subs used: Paddy Kenneally for Shay Russell (injured), James Kearney for Laurence Lomasney, Dave Browne for Sean Motherway and Simon Walsh for Peter Finn. Panel: Oisin Hickey, Cain O’Mahony, Seamie O’Gorman, Nelius Kearney, Tom Ahern, Philip Corbett, Tom Feeney, Shane Keane, P.J. Aherne and Sean Drislane.

Referee: Ciaran Murphy (Glanworth).

A BRILLIANT WIN FOR KILARA ÓG

A very talented group of U15 hurlers brought pride and honour to the parish when they got the better of a very strong Mallow team in Shanballymore last Sunday to capture Kilara Óg’s first county title - final score Kilara Óg 3-14 Mallow 2-16. Everyone associated with this team deserve great credit and while the squad does have a few marquee names, you can’t advance without everyone putting their shoulder to the wheel. These players have been magnificent all year and deserve the many plaudits that have come in the wake of a famous win.

FIXTURE

Sunday, 26th Sept. in Ballynoe at 2pm, Cork county junior C football championship quarter-final, Araglin v Ballinacurra.

LOTTO RESULTS FROM 16th SEPT

Numbers drawn: 05, 08, 21 and 26 (no winner). Lucky dips to: €50 Elaine Condon, Gortnaskehy; €50 Billy O’Donoghue, c/o Fitzgerald Hurleys, Araglin; €25 Mike Lyons Sr., Araglin and €25 Liam Reidy, Lyrebarry.

Next draw tonight, Thursday 23rd Sept., for a jackpot of €3,300.

DRIVE IN BINGO RETURNS NEXT SUNDAY

A reminder to bingo players that drive in bingo returns to Araglin Community Field on Sunday next, 26th Sept at 3pm sharp. All welcome.