COUNTY U16 HURLING C’SHIP DIV 2 ¼ FINAL
SOUTH LIBERTIES 4-12 KILLULTA GAELS 2-06.

We travelled to East Limerick last Sunday morning for the quarter final of this years’ U16 Hurling c’ship minus a couple players due to injury but still hopeful of getting the right result. Things got worse though early on as we lost wing back Michéal Keating, who got a heavy belt to his shin, in the first five minutes. We did get the first score of the match, a goal following good work by Ciaran O’Brien & Colin Nash, as South Liberties were slow to get going. It took South Liberties ten minutes to get on the scoreboard after numerous wides, twelve in the first half in total, but they soon pushed on and goaled three minutes later to level scores. Martin Nunan had hit over two frees for Killulta to keep us in touch but South Liberties pulled away as half time approached. County player Jamie Butler caused a lot of damage when moved to centre forward after picking up a yellow card along with Colin Nash, and Butler scored Liberties second goal as they led by 2-8 to 1-2 at half time. Butler though picked up a second yellow and received his marching orders for a late pull just before half time and Killulta now had the numerical advantage.

The second half was a much tighteraffair with South Liberties pointing early on before Darragh Walshe replied after good work by Johnny Nash & Tony McCarthy. South Liberties though had decided to protect their lead and drop and Killulta found it very hard to break through with Martin Nunan & Jack O’Keefe doing well but unable to find a way through. A pointed free from Martin Nunan on 12 minutes was quickly cancelled out at the other end before another long period elapsed without a score. In defence Paul Clarke & John Sheehan did well in front of keeper Kevin O’Connell but the absence of Barry O’Connell and the loss of Michéal Keating early on meant resources were stretched. Martin Nunan goaled from a free with five minutes left after a great move by Darragh Walsh but it was too little too late as South Liberties replied with two late goals to win by double scores. Well done to the players and thanks to the management team for an good season that sadly has ended at the quarter final stage.

Team: Kevin O’Connell, Niall Madden, John Sheehan, Paul Clarke, Niall O’Brien, Darragh Walshe, Michéal Keating, Tony McCarthy, Johnny Nash, Martin Nunan, Colin Nash, Jack O’Keefe, Rory O’Donnell, Ciaran O’Brien, Eoin Cuddihy. Subs: Dean Corrigan, Tommy Kennedy, Cathal McCarthy, Felim O’Leary.


U16 HURLING C'SHIP PLAY-OFF

Killulta Gaels 3-19 Knockainey 6-6.

Knockainey were visitors to Kildimo last Monday for this Under 16 play-off match, the winner of which would go forward to the county Quarter finals. Killulta started the brighter with a goal and 3 points in the first seven minutes from Johnny Nash, Martin Nunan and Tommy Kennedy. Knockainey then began to get to the tempo of the game and scored the next 2 points before Martin Nunan replied with a point. Knockainey then came back with a goal and a point before Darragh Walsh completed the first half scoring with a well-taken goal and point. Scores at halftime was 1-4 to 2-5 in favour of Killulta.

The second half saw a flurry of scores beginning with an excellent point from the sideline by Barry OConnell. This was followed quickly by a goal from Rory O'Donnell and then Knockaineys opening point of the half. Barry then repeated his earlier feat and cut another point from the sideline. 4 more points were added by Barry, Martin and Rory and Killulta looked comfortable. With 12 minutes of the half gone Knockainey struck for their second goal and when they added another goal and a point 2 minutes later it was clear that Killulta still had some work to do. In the closing 10 minutes Killulta continued to pick off points but Knockainey changed their game and ran at our defence at every oppertunity. Our defence were now being well tested and try as they might they could not keep every attack at bay - Three goals were leaked leaving the gap at just4 points with as many minutes to go. Then a 20 meter free was awarded to Knockainey with a minute to go and there was a collective sigh of relief as the shot whistled past the post. Considering the slippery conditions it was a very entertaining game withplenty of excellent scores. Killulta however will have to look carefully at the number of goals conceded and try to remedy it before the next match.

Team and Scorers: Kevin O'Connell, Felim O'Leary, John Sheahan, Paul Clarke, Ciaran O'Brien, Barry OConnell(0-11), Niall Maher, Tony McCarthy(0-1), Martin Nunan(0-4), Niall Madden, Darragh Walsh(1-1), Johnny Nash(0-1), Rory O'Donnell(1-1), Tommy Kennedy(1-0), Eoin Cuddihy. Colm O'Neill, Dean Corrigan, David Kelly, Cathal McCarthy, Jonathan McHale, MicheálKeating, Jack O'Keeffe, Colin Nash.


County U16 Hurling C’Ship
Killulta Gaels 1-13 St Patricks 1-13

We had our second battle with St Patricks in the matter of a few days on Monday evening and the result was the same as both teams had to settle for a draw once again. This time it was Killulta who made all the running but lost a big lead in the closing stages as St. Patricks, led by county players Andrew Hannigan & Jason Mullins, fought back for a deserved draw. Points from Barry O’Connell (4), Martin Nunan (3), Jack O’Keefe and Tony McCarthy had Kilullta well in control in the first half as St. Patricks only scored two points in the opening 25 minutes. To add to this a high floated ball from full forward Tommy Kennedy was batted to the net by David Kelly after 15 minutes as Killulta led by ten points approaching half time. But our defence was guilty of falling asleep as they were hit for four points from Hannigan & Mullins to leave seven between the sides at half time, 1-9 to 0-5.

The Saints got a further lifeline early in the second half with a goal after O’Connell & Mullins had traded points to leave just four points in the difference. There were intriguing battles going on around the middle with Martin Nunan & Andrew Hannigan, both were yellow carded in the first minute, fighting tooth & nail for every ball and Jason Mullins & Barry O’Connell taking turns to run at opposing defences. For Killulta John Sheahan had another excellent game at full back with Ciarán O’Brien doing well in the half back line and Tony McCarthy showing well in midfield. Tommy Kennedy had a fine game at full forward with Jack O’Keefe excelling on the wing and Kevin O’Connell making some fine saves in goals. The scores were finally tied up with ten minutes remaining andSt. Patricks edged ahead with a free as full time approached. Barry O’Connell hit over a ’65 and Martin Nunan put Killulta ahead in injury time with a pointed free. But there was still time for more and one final attack saw Jason Mullins point from a free to ensure his side left Kildimo with a point and remain unbeaten in this years’ competition.

Team: Kevin O’Connell, John Sheahan, Felim O’Leary, Dean Corrigan, Barry O’Connell (0-7), Ciarán O’Brien, Tony McCarthy (0-1), Darragh Walshe, Jack O’Keefe (0-1), Martin Nunan (0-4), Eoin Cuddihy, Colin Nash, Tommy Kennedy, David Kelly (1-0). Subs: David Clarke, Cathal McCarthy.

County U16 Hurling C'Ship Round 4
St Kierans 3-10 Killulta Gaels 0-6

An understrength Killulta Under 16 hurling team travelled to Coolcappagh on Monday evening the 29th hoping to continue on last weeks form. Unfortunately, it became clear very quickly that this physically stronger side from Ardagh were going to be a very tough proposition. Within 10 minutes the score was 1-2 to 0-2 in our opponents’ favour - both our points having come from Johnny Nash. We battled hard from there to halftime, Johnny adding another point and Niall O’Brien with 2 well taken frees. This left the score at halftime at 5 points to 1-5.

The hope for the new half was for a better all round performance, but this failed to materialise and though we tried hard we could not work the sliotar into scoring positions as we lacked the purposefulness displayed in our previous two outings. As the half progressed to a close, St Kierans increased their domination and their lead.

Team and scorers: Kevin O’Connell, Feilim O’Leary, John Sheahan, Paul Clarke, Cathal McCarthy, Ciarán O’Brien, Micheál Keating, Tony McCarthy, Niall O’Brien (0-2), Niall Madden, Darragh Walsh, Johnny Nash (0-3), Tommy Kennedy (0-1), Rory O’Donnell, Dean Corrigan. Subs: Jonathan McHale and Jack O’Keeffe.

County U16 Hurling C'Ship Round 3
Dromcollogher/Broadford 4-06 Killulta Gaels 3-12.

Killulta Gaels had a hard fought but deserving 3 point win over Dromcollogher/Broadford in round 3 of this years county under 16 hurling competition. Killulta lead at the interval by 8 points thanks mainly to 3 first half goals from Barry O'Connell (a fabulous individual effort, long solo run and great shot), Rory O'Donnell and Johnny Nash.

Dromcollogher/Broadford fought back in the second half and also scored 3 goals but our defence were resolute and disciplined in preventing further scores and thanks to some great point scoring from Martin Nunan we held on to take maximum points. Final Score: Killulta Gaels 3:12 Dromcolligher/Broadford 4:6

Team: Kevin O'Connell, Niall Maher, John Sheahan, Felim O'Leary, Ciaran O'Brien, Barry O'Connell, Micheal Keating, Tony McCarthy, Niall O'Brien, Martin Nunan, Darragh Walsh, Eoin Cuddihy, Tommy Kennedy, Rory O'Donnell, Johnny Nash; Subs: Dean Corrigan, Jonathan McHale.
Scorers: Barry O'Connell 1:4 (4 frees), Martin Nunan 0:6 (2 frees), Johnny Nash 1:1, Rory O'Donnell 1:0, Eoin Cuddihy 0:1.

County U16 Hurling C'Ship Round 2

Killulta Gaels 4:15 St Marys Rathkeale 4:01

Killulta Gaels had a fine 14 point win over St Mary's Rathkeale in the 2nd round of the all county under 16 hurling competition. Centre back, Barry O'Connell opened the scoring with a long range point from play in the second minute, followed in the fourth minute with a magnificent point from a free from his own 50 metre line.

Eoin Cuddihy pointed in the fifth minute followed by another long range point from Barry in the seventhminute. Eoin added a second on the 9th minute following good work by Tony McCarthy.
Rathkeale got their first score, a goal, in the fifteenth minute. Barry scored three more points, two from frees before Rathkeale got a second goal in the 27th minute but this was quickly cancelled out when substitute Niall Maher kicked to the net following good work by Rory O'Donnell. This left the half time score Killulta 1:8, Rathkeale 2:0.

Darragh Walsh opened the second half scoring with a point after a neat pass from Eoin Cuddihy following a long ball out of defence from John Sheehan. Barry O'Connell goaled in the fourth minute after his initial effort from a free was saved and followed with a point from a free after Eoin was fouled. Rory O'Donnell added a goal a minute later when he brilliantly deflected a high ball from Tony McCarthy to the net. Eoin Cuddihy scored his third point of the evening from a narrow angle after a good catch and lay off from Johnny Nash.

Rathkeale got their third goal of the evening in the fourteenth minute followed by another in the 22nd minute and a point right at the end of full time. In between Killulta had scores from Johnny Nash (0:1), Barry O'Connell (0:1), Martin Nunan (1:1) and Darragh Walsh (0:1).
In defence Barry O'Connell and Ciaran O'Brien played well, Tony McCarthy and Niall O'Brien were on top in midfield, while up front Darragh Walsh, Eoin Cuddihy and Martin Nunan were best.

Team: Kevin O'Connell, Cathal McCarthy, John Sheehan, Niall Madden, Ciaran O'Brien,Barry O'Connell (1:8, 5f), Micheal Keating, Tony McCarthy, Niall O'Brien, Martin Nunan (1:1), Darragh Walsh (0:2), Eoin Cuddihy (0:3), Rory O'Donnell (1:0), Feilim O'Leary, Johnny Nash (0:1).
Subs used: Niall Maher (1:0), Dean Corrigan, David Kelly and Tommy Kennedy.

County U16 Hurling C'Ship Round 1
Killulta Gaels v NCW
Killulta Gaels received a walkover.