Killavullen make history with first Junior A hurling title after epic final with Harbour Rovers
Killavullen celebrated their first ever Avondhu success. Picture via Killavullen Twitter.
There were scenes of great excitement in Kildorrery on Saturday when Killavullen were crowned Hibernian Hotel Junior A Hurling champions.
This was a cracking game which was only decided at the death when Paul O'Sullivan nailed the winning point to give Killavullen their first title in what was their first final appearance since 1929.
From the throw-in Killavulen's Michael Cagney placed Padraig Looney for a goal before Tom McGrath pointed for the Rovers.
Looney, Padraig Hannon, Eddie Cotter and Michael Cagney pointed before Jamie Magner put Killavullen 1-4 to 0-2 up.
Hannon (2) and Stephen Condon cut the lead to a point before the game really came alive as two Liam Cronin long-range points were followed by fine scores by Peter and Stephen Condon.
In the 23rd minute, Liam Fox placed Colm O'Mahony for a goal but the Glanworth side replied with a Stephen Condon goal, following fine play by Dave Pyne. A Condon penalty tied it up, 2-7 each.
Magner nabbed two more points followed by a Hannon free and Killavullen were ahead at the break, 2-9 to 2-8.
Good play by Magner led to a Paul O'Sullivan point but Diarmuid O'Brien worked well for Stephen Condon who replied.
A foul on the impressive Liam Fox led to a Magner free but Rovers got back in front with Diarmuid O'Brien working well for his brother Darragh, who pointed.
By the 40th minute, they were level again 2-12 each and two super Condon efforts gave his side Harbour Rovers a huge boost.
Magner was equal to the task, levelling it at 2-14 each and then a foul on Eoghan Buckley produced a massive free by Magner.
Hannon then set up an equaliser for Condon only for Eddie Cotter to retake the lead for Killavullen. The game ebbed and followed with Liam Fox nailing a brilliant point.
Good play by Diarmuid O'Brien and Peter Condon seemed to have secured the winning point for Rovers' marquee man Stephen Condon.
Killavullen stuck to the task and deep into injury time, Liam Cronin placed Paul O'Sullivan, who was fouled and Magner levelled.
The clock was ticking before Paul O'Sullivan gained possession in midfield and struck the winning point for Killavullen which sparked scenes of wild celebration.
J Magner 0-8 (0-6 f), P Looney 1-3, C O'Mahony 1-0, L Cronin 0-2 (0-1 f), E Cotter, P O'Sullivan 0-2 each, M Cagney, L Fox 0-1 each.
S Condon 2-9 (1-0 pen, 0-2 sl, 0-1f) P Hannon 0-5 (0-4 f), T McGrath, Darragh O'Brien, P Condon, Diarmuid O'Brien 0-1 each.
C Cremin; E Birchill, B Cotter, F Magner; E Buckley, L Cronin (c), P O'Sullivan; M Cagney, J Magner; M O'Connor, L Fox, E Cotter; C O'Mahony, C Looney, P Looney.
O Magner for C O'Mahony.
D O'Sullivan; B O'Keeffe, J Fogarty, P Blackburne; S Finn, T Condon, J Fitzgibbon; P Condon, Diarmuid O'Brien; D Pyne, P Hannon, T McGrath; Darragh O'Brien, S Condon, M Wade.
M Blackburne for M Wade.
Dave Twomey (Shanballymore).
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