Kieran Kingston guides Tracton to Junior glory against Killavullen
Tracton players celebrating after defeating Killavullen in the JAHC final, at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: David Keane.
Tracton embraced the favourites tag at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.
They suffered huge disappointment after being relegated in 2023 from the Premier Junior Hurling cCampionship and while too many teams didn't make it back up as quick, they produced a great performance when it mattered most.
So, it’s an immediate return for the Carrigdhoun champions who came out on top in the Co-Op Superstores Cork JAHC final against Killavullen.
Ronan Walsh gave an exhibition of free-taking, the ultra-reliable corner-forward returned 0-10 (nine from placed balls) in testing conditions.
The weather had continued to deteriorate all evening, so both teams must be complimented on managing the elements as best they could.
At the end of the 60 minutes plus, Rory Sinclair was the proud captain who collected the John Quirke Cup.
This is a Tracton side with plenty of know-how, and they also have former Cork boss Kieran Kingston in their backroom team.
They were never headed and while first-time north Cork winners Killavullen remained hot on their heels, they couldn’t close the gap to closer than two points on the home stretch.
It was a point apiece before Tracton started to pull ahead and went three points up with Mark Byrne (2) and Michael O’Sullivan splitting the posts.
A ninth minute goal from the battle-hardened O’Sullivan stretched the lead after he showed a serious burst of speed to cut in from the half-forward line and bury the sliotar to the roof of the net, 1-4 to 0-1.
Killavullen top-scorer Jamie Magner had pointed twice from placed balls and one from play, and with his team under pressure, he brought them right back into it when Mike O’Connor was brought down for a penalty.
He duly dispatched low past Seán O’Sullivan, 1-5 to 1-3 and three minutes to go to the break - it was a score they badly needed.
Ronan Walsh replied instantly with a magnificent white flag from the right sideline.
But Killavullen remained steadfast through Liam Fox to reduce the margin to two points.
In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage, Ronan added a monster free to leave the scoreline 1-7 to 1-4 in their favour.
Walsh added three frees after half time, whilst Colm O’Mahony hit back with a brace in the 42nd and 43rd minute, 1-8 to 1-10.
Paul O’Riordan pushed the lead out to three after the industrious John Good set him up.
At this stage Killavullen required a goal, and they tried hard to get in for one but getting past a resolute Tracton defence proved tricky.
With the clock in the red, they were about to set up one final attack when O’Riordan intercepted brilliantly, the ball eventually going out for a 65, which Walsh converted.
Fittingly Walsh had the final say, sailing over his 10th point.
R Walsh 0-10 (0-7 f, 0-2 65), M O’Sullivan 1-1, M Byrne 0-3, P O’Riordan 0-1.
J Magner 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f, 0-1 65), C O’Mahony (0-1 f), L Fox 0-2 each, D O’Grady, O Maguire 0-1 each.
S O’Sullivan; K Webb, K Healy, J Lynch; J Good, R Sinclair (Capt), G Webb; T McGuinness, D Byrne; C Quinn, S Kiely, P O’Riordan; R Walsh, M O’Sullivan, M Byrne.
Joe Kingston for S Kiely (half-time), D Kidney for T McGuinness (45), D Harrington for C Quinn (49), K Corrigan for G Webb (50), D O’Flaherty for M Byrne (63).
C Cremin; F Magner, E Buckley, E Birchill; B Cotter, L Cronin (Capt), P O’Sullivan; M Cagney, J Magner; M O’Connor, L Fox, P O’Grady; P Looney, C O’Mahony, M O’Connor, E Cotter.
D O’Grady for M Cagney (22), O Magner for P O’Grady (32), C Looney for E Cotter (50).
Eoin Coleman (Youghal).
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