COUNTY U21 ‘B’ HURLING C’SHIP FINAL
KILLULTA GAELS 0-09 ST. JOHNS 1-12.

Killulta Gaels (Kildimo/Pallaskenry) once again came up short in a county final last Sunday as the South/East combination of St. Johns (Hospital/Herbertstown & Kilteely/Dromkeen)won the U21 ‘B’ Hurling C’Ship on a crisp, dry day in Ballyagran. Despite some heroic defending from Cian Hayes, Shane O’Brien, Ronan Liston, Mossie Sheehan, Brian O’Shea and Eoin O’Brien while playing into a gale in the first half Killulta Gaels could never get ahead as the more physical St. Johns made their strength tell. A goal ten minutes into the second half from corner forward John Fitzgerald proved to be the pivotal score as Killulta had just tied up the game with three wonderful points from Stephen McKeogh including two ‘65s.

The game started at a frenetic pace with St. Johns, playing with the aid of a strong, swirling wind, opening up a three point lead by the 12th minute following efforts from Keith O’Connor, Barry Ryan & Mark Deegan. Indeedthey could have been further ahead but for some very wayward free-taking from Donal Reale and John Fitzgerald. The Killulta Gaels management reacted well to the conditions and tough, physical nature of the game by moving Darren Walsh (K) out from full forward. And it was Darren who got our first score, a point from play after 13 minutes. Matthew Quirke then hit two points for St. Johns before Seamus McKeogh pointed to leave three points between the sides after the first quarter, 0-5 to 0-2. St. Johns continued to put Killulta on the back foot but some excellent work by Cian Hayes and Eoin O‘Brien ensured James Careys’ goal remained intact. Darren Walsh (P) worked well around midfield as he replaced the unavailable Ciaran Ryan, with Shane Hayes moving to wing forward and Chris McKenna coming in at corner forward, in a late enforced series of changes. Time and again full back Cian Hayes burst out of defence leaving several St. Johns’ players in his wake only for the sliotar to be returned once more as the St. Johns half back line proved too strong. After several missed attempts wing back Mark Deegan for St. Johns showed his forwards the way with a pointed free before an excellent move saw Stephen McKeogh set up William Griffin for a point up the other end.A Donal Reale point from play was cancelled out by a free from Stephen McKeogh as half time approached and there remained three points in the difference, 0-7 to 0-4. In truth St. Johns could have been further ahead but a combination of excellent defending and poor shooting meant it was all to play for in the second half.

The day warmed up considerably in the second half as the sun came out and the wind eased up and it was the excellent Stephen McKeogh who gave hope to the Killulta support with three early points that tied up the scores. First Stephen hit a free between the posts and quickly followed up with two excellent ‘65m frees as Killulta showed more of the endeavour that got them this far as City Champions and conquerors of South Liberties & Cappamore. Mark Deegan edged St. Johns ahead with a free and then disaster struck for Killulta as a well worked move up the right hand side saw the ball end up in the back of the Killulta net and St. Johns led once more by four points. James Carey did well but the shot from John Fitzgerald was too powerful and the good work from the likes of Eoin O’Brien, Stephen McKeogh and the two Darren Walshs was undone as St. Johns pushed on with two points within a minute. A Donal Reale free, whose move out the field from full forward helped to turn the balance play in St. Johns favour, was followed by a point from Barry Ryan to leave St. Johns ahead by six points, 1-10 to 0-07, after 12 minutes of the second half. William Griffin and Chris McKenna made some good runs from the corner forward positions but could not find a way through the St. Johns defence. A Stephen McKoegh free was matched at the other end by Donal Reale and then came a controversial moment as referee Martin Doherty called a square ball after the sliotar ended up in the St. Johns net. Stephen McKeogh sent in a long free and William Griffin got the all important touch but he was adjudged to be in the square even as the umpire was reaching for the green flag. Stephen reduced the gap to five with anotherfree but St. Johns had the last score of the game also from a free as time ebbed away.

And so once again it was a team from the South that got the better of Killulta Gaels following last years’ final defeat to Blackrock and it’s back to the drawing board as we look to build on the promise shown by our U16’s and minors. Thanks to all the players for the tremendous effort they put in this year and to the management team of Stephen Downey, John McKeogh, Michael Roche and Seamus Chawke. Finally thanks to the tremendous support that travelled to all the games this years and braved the elements and also to the committee led by Siobhan Carey who worked tirelessly throughout the year.

Killulta Gaels: James Carey, Ronan Liston, Cian Hayes, Shane O’Brien, Bryan O’Shea, Eoin O’Brien (Capt.), Mossie Sheehan, Seamus McKeogh (0-1), Darren Walsh(P), Ruairi Maher (0-1), Stephen McKeogh (0-6, 4 frees, 2 ‘65s), Shane Hayes, Chris McKenna, Darren Walsh (K), William Griffin (0-1). Subs: Chris McMahon, David Keating, Aidan Lunn, Tommy Brett, Shane Griffin, Eoin Keating, Ciaran Ryan.
St. Johns: Aaron Murphy, Pa O’Mahony, Darragh R. O’Sullivan, Michael O’Leary, John Connery, Dinny Aherne, Mark Deegan (0-3, 2 frees), Gerry Murphy, Brian Reale, Matthew Quirke (0-2), BarryRyan (0-2), Brendan O’Donoghue, John Fitzgerald(1-0), Donal Reale (Capt.) (0-4, 3 frees), Keith O’Connor (0-1). Subs: Patrick Jones, Darragh M. O’Sullivan, Michael O’Neill, Shane O’Rourke, Andrew Been, Daire O’Mahony.
Referee: Martin Doherty (Rathkeale).


COUNTY U21 B HURLING SEMI FINAL
KILLULTA GAELS 2-09 CAPPAMORE 1-01.

Killulta Gaels U21 hurlers played a county semi final in Knocklong against Cappamore under extremely poor weather conditions last Saturday. A constant biting wind and at least 5 heavy hail showers during the match didn’t prevent both teams who bravely fought till the end of the match but Killulta controlled the match from the beginning and never looked in danger of losing. Cappamore made the first attack on scoring but our determined backs made short work of the attack and sent the ball up to the other end and the first score was in our favour with Stephen McKeogh with his usual accuracy pointing a 65. Our next score came less than a minute later from Darren Walsh (k) and we followed a minute later with a free from Stephen who went on to score 6 points in the match (1 ‘65, 3 frees and 2 points from play) while with an excellent pass from Stephen to Shane Hayes who freed himself from his marker turned and scored the next point. We had the aid of the strong wind in the first half but even that sometimes changed direction and it caused problems with both sides having a number of wides but we had luck and Darren Walsh (K) on our side who added to his scoring tally just before half time scoring a goal which the Cappamore goalie never had a chance in saving so at half time we lead 1-07 to no score.

Cappamore came out fully determined to fight back but it was William Griffin who got the first score of the second half, the next score of the second half did not come for some time as the conditions took their toll. Despite gallant efforts from both sides and the best display from our backs this year, they fought to the bitter end to try and stop Cappamore scoring. Cappamore’s efforts were rewarded when they got their first score with 15 mins to go as they scored a goal. Killulta responded almost immediately with a fantastic goal from sub Chris McKenna, Cappamore got a point with minutes to go and Stephen McKeogh finished the game as he started with the final point to leave the final score at Killulta 2-09 v Cappamore 1-01. Killulta now go on to meet Naomh Sean (Hospital/Herbertstown & Kilteely/Dromkeen) in the final who had a four point victory over Feengh/Kilmeedy also on Saturday.

Team: James Carey, Shane O Brien, Cian Hayes, Mossey Sheehan, Brian O’ Shea, Ronan Liston, Seamus McKeogh, Eoin O Brien (C), Stephen McKeogh(0-6), Ruairi Maher, Ciaran Ryan, Darren Walsh(P), Shane Hayes(0-1), Willie Griffin(0-1), Darren Walsh (K)(1-01).
Subs Chris McKenna for Shane Hayes, Tommy Brett for Mossey Sheehan, Eoin Keating, David Keating, Aidan Lunn, Shane Griffin, Chris McMahon.
Management John McKeogh, Steven Downey, Michael Roche, Seamus Chawke.
Referee: Davie Dillane (Mountcollins).


COUNTY U21 'B' HURLING C'SHIP 1/4 FINAL
KILLULTA GAELS 3-18 SOUTH LIBERTIES 2-09.

Killulta Gaels had an impressive win in Knocklong on Saturday afternoon with a twelve-point win in the county quarter final against east finalists South Liberties. Killulta Gaels had a total of 3-17 coming from play with referee Mike Meade contributing with some sensible decision-making. South Liberties after their recent susses burst out of the traps and took a two-point lead and looked dangerous in every attack before Shane Hayes pointed after a good pass from William Griffin. Stephen McKeogh had our sole point from a placed ball after five minutes to tie up the game, Ruairi Maher eased Killulta ahead before a wind assisted South Liberties Ciaran Carbery had his second point of the game. Darren Walsh had the games opening goal after 11 minutes after receiving a good pass from Ciarán Ryan. James Carey made a great save to deny South Liberties parity. Two points in the space of a minute from Darren Walsh and Ruairi Maher had Killulta five clear at the quarter mark. A hectic scoring spree in the 18 minute saw Ciaran Carbery reduced the gap after receiving a pass from Tony Carroll, William Griffin goaled from the resulting puckout and Tony Carroll (SL) pointed in a sortie forward from the half back line. Some outstanding defending from Bryan O’Shea, Eoin O’Brien and Cían Hayes helped repel the east side. Stephen McKeogh and Darren Walsh pointed on 26 and 28 minutes while Thomas Ryan (SL) pointed from a free to leave the half time score at 2-7 to 0-6.

Killulta now wind assisted had points from Darren Walsh, Stephen McKeogh (2) and William Griffin (2) to a solitary reply from Ciaran Carbery by the seventh minute. Ciarán Ryan had a scoring burst from the 8 to 25 minute that yielded him four points. Another good save from James Carey kept South Liberties at bay he was eventually beaten on 17 minutes but Killulta reply was instant when William Griffin scoring his second goal. Further points from the outstanding Stephen McKeogh on 22 minutes an William Griffin closed out the scoring before Shane Garry long range free dipped under the crossbar for a late consolation goal before the final whistle. We wish south Liberties every success in the Munster final against Douglas thisSunday.

Team and scorers: James Carey, Mossy Sheehan, Cían Hayes, Tommy Brett, Ronan Liston, Eoin O’Brien captain, Bryan O’Shea, Ciarán Ryan (0-4), Séamus McKeogh, Shane Hayes (0-1), Stephen McKeogh (0-5), Aidan Lunn, William Griffin (2-3), Darren Walsh (1-4), Ruairi Maher (0-2), Subs: Chris McKenna blood sub first half, Shane O’Brien and Darren Walsh (P) both half time subs, David Keating, Chris McMahon, Eoghan Keating all used.
Referee: Mike Meade (Ballylanders).

CITY U21 ‘B’ HURLING FINAL

KILLULTA GAELS 0-18 CRECORA MANISTER 0-7.

Killulta Gaels made some amends for losing two finals last year by winning their first final this year in the City U21 Hurling C’Ship against a below par Crecora in Patrickswell last Sunday evening. It was a determined performance from Killulta that showed the experience gained from last years double defeat in the City & County Finals. At half time the score read 0-8 to 0-5 in favour of the Kildimo/Pallaskenry amalgamation with Crecora guilty of missing a numberof chances from play and placed balls. Crecora scored the first two points both from play before William Griffin & Stephen McKeogh had Killulta on the board also from play. Crecora edged ahead again this time from a free but three points from William Griffin and a free by Stephen McKeogh had Killulta in command as Eoin O’Brien played a captains’ role at centre back sweeping all before him with Shane Hayes & Seamus McKeogh on top in midfield. Seamus McKeogh added a point from long range before Stephen hitover hit over hits third point of the half from a free just on half time to leave three points between the sides.

The second half turned into a procession as Killulta continued to win primary possession and William Griffin tormented his various markers as he twisted and turned and weaved his way through the Crecora defence. Stephen McKeogh hit a further six points in the second half, four from frees as Crecora resorted to fouling in an attempt to stop any attacks getting through. Darren Walsh (K) at full forward came more into the game and hit a wonderful point early in the second half to extend our lead to five. Crecora replied with a pointed free on six minutes but failed to score for a further fifteen minutes as Killulta showed good discipline in defence through keeper James Carey & full back Cian Hayes. Out the field wing forwards Ruairi Maher & Chris McKenna covered acres of ground as they harried and hassled to win possession and deny Crecora any momentum. Darren Walsh (P), Tommy Brett, Ciaran Ryan and Eoin Keating were all introduced for the victors as they eased over the line by eleven points in the end. Next up is a County Quarter Final meeting with East C’Ship runners up South Liberties who lost out to Cappamore in the East Final. Well done to the players led by Captain Eoin O’Brien, the management team of Stephen Downey, John McKeogh, Michael Roche and Seamus Chawke and to all the supporters who cheered us on.

Team: James Carey, Shane O’Brien, Cian Hayes, David Keating, Ronan Liston, Eoin O’Brien, Mossie Sheehan, Shane Hayes, Seamus McKeogh (0-2), Christopher McKenna, Stephen McKeogh (0-9, 0-5f), Ruairi Maher (0-1), William Griffin (0-5), Darren Walsh (K) (0-1), Aidan Lunn. Subs: Darren Walsh for A Lunn, Ciaran Ryan for Darren Walsh (P),Tommy Brett for D Keating, Eoin Keating for S O’Brien.

Referee: Eamon Phelan (St. Patricks).

City U21 Hurling Championship R2
Killulta Gaels 2-9 Crecora 1-9.

Killulta made their first appearance in the city championship when the played Crecora in a thrilling encounter at Patrickswell on Sunday short the services of Shane Griffin, John McCarthy, Daniel Hannon and William Griffin. Stephen McKeogh opening the scoring with a pointed free after two minutes with all the exchanges keenly contested. Darren Walsh pointed from play after ten minutes to put Killulta two clear at this stage Crecora had dropped six ball into the awaiting hands of James Carey the Killulta net minder who delivered each present grateful to the forwards with interest. Marking was tight with Killulta six backs doing Trojan defending. Stephen McKeogh pointed a free on 17minutes after he was impeded himself before Crecora opened their account a minute later. Both sides traded pointed frees before the games opening goal from RuairiMaher on 29 minutes, Darren Walsh pointed for Killulta to lead at the break 1-5 to 0-2.

Ruairi Maher had goal number two in the first minute of the new half. Stephen McKeogh pointed from a free after the impressive Séamus McKeogh was fouled with ChrisMcKenna pointing from play on ten minutes fro Killulta to lead 2-7 to 0-2. Crecora re-jigged and had three points in the space of a minute. Our defence was under sever pressure at this stage but Cían Hayes was outstanding at this stage and was ably assisted by David Keating in the fullback line. Three further points for Crecora by the 20minute had the lead reduced to four points. Séamus McKeogh goal bound shot was scrambled out for a 65, which Stephen McKeogh pointed to ease the pressure. Crecora eventually beat James Carey on the second attempt on 23 minutes and pointed two minutes later. Séamus McKeogh closed the scoring with a great point with a minute to go. Next up is a encounter with Claughaun next weekend.

Team and scorers: James Carey, Mossy Sheahan, Cían Hayes, David Keating, Ronan Liston, Eoin O’Brien, Shane O’Brien, Séamus McKeogh (0-1), Shane Hayes, Ruairi Maher (2-0), Stephen McKeogh (0-5), Ciarán Ryan, Chris McKenna (0-1), Darren Walsh (0-2), Aidan Lunn. Subs: Darren Walsh (P), Brian Howard and Bryan O’Shea all used in the second half.
Referee: Liam O'Sullivan (Claughaun).