JAFC champions in 1998 - so close to claiming county title
The success of Killavullen teams in the early 1990s at Minor, U21 and Junior A level sowed the seeds for further achievements towards the end of the decade.
The winning of the Avondhu Cup, O’Leary Cup and Division 1 FL titles in 1997 were a platform for further success. In 1998, 1999 and 2000 three JAFC titles were collected, one county JAFC title, as well as three Division 1 FL league titles (Fitzgerald Cup).
1998 FIRST JAFC TITLE SECURED
The opening round of the JA Football Championship was a quarter-final encounter. Killavullen faced the defending champions, Fermoy in Doneraile. It was a close game. A goal for Killavullen at a pivotal stage by Joe Taylor helped them to an interval lead 1-3 to 0-3.
As in many other games, the half backline were outstanding and in the end, Killavullen were winners by 1-7 to 0-6. Best for Killavullen were Rory Lankford, Edmund O’Connor, Redmond Lane, John
O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll, Liam Dorgan, Paul and David Hartnett.
Team: Rory Lankford, Edmund O’Connor, Padraig Lankford, Redmond Lane, John O’Regan 0-1, Brian O’Driscoll, Liam Dorgan 0-1, Gene Kelleher 0-1, Paul Hartnett, David Hartnett 0-2, Martin Carroll 0-1, Alan O’Driscoll, Michael Whelan, Ian O’Driscoll, Joe Taylor 1-0.
In the JAFC semi-final at Shanballymore, Killavullen faced a huge task against Mitchelstown. It was close early on, 0-2 each after 11 minutes and 0-3 each by the 17th minute. Liam Dorgan and David Hartnett worked well for Ian O’Driscoll who pointed. Just before halftime Michael Whelan placed David Hartnett who set up Joe Taylor for a vital goal as his side led 1-4 to 0-5 at the break.
Alan O’Driscoll pointed on the resumption. By the 39th minute Killavullen were 1-5 to 0-7 clear. Their half backs closed down the Mitchelstown attack and in the process, they added a series of well taken points by Michael Whelan, Ian O’Driscoll and Martin Carroll (2), to emerge victors 1-14 to 0-7.
Team: Rory Lankford, Redmond Lane, Padraig Lankford, Edmund O’Connor, John O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll, Liam Dorgan, Gene Kelleher 0-1, Paul Hartnett, David Hartnett, Martin Carroll 0-8, Michael Whelan 0-1, Alan O’Driscoll 0-2, Ian O’Driscoll 0-2, Joe Taylor 1-0.
The JAFC final was a ‘local derby’ with Doneraile providing the opposition. The game in Glantane was played in wet and windy conditions.
It was a first ever JAFC final for Killavullen. The game was expected to be very close but it was very one-sided. Killavullen had a great start and once again, their half backs were outstanding. They had early points by David Hartnett (2), Gene Kelleher and a goal by David Hartnett, that had the winners 1-4 to 0-1 clear after 15 minutes. Martin Carroll had a great goal in off the post that opened up a lead 2-7 to 0-2 and by half-time, they were 2-10 to 0-2 clear.
Doneraile tried hard on the changeover. Killavullen with three rapid points by Alan O’Driscoll, David Hartnett and Ian O’Driscoll moved 2-13 to 0-2 ahead. There was no way back for Doneraile as Killavullen took the title by 2-17 to 1-5.
The history making side was: Rory Lankford, Redmond Lane, Padraig Lankford, Bartley Hayes, John O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1, Liam Dorgan, Gene Kelleher 0-2, Paul Hartnett 0-3, David Hartnett 1-6, Martin Carroll 1-1, Alan O’Driscoll 0-2, Michael Whelan, Ian O’Driscoll 0-2, Joe Taylor. Subs: John Beechinor for Joe Taylor, Tony
Carroll for Redmond Lane, Michael Rea for Rory Lankford.
COUNTY TRAIL
Killavullen’s county quarter-final game was against Carbery Rangers in Cloughduv in mid October. Killavullen won this game by 2-14 to 1-12, helped by a Joe Taylor goal, they held a slight lead early on 1-2 to 1-1.
By the end of the first quarter, the West Cork side were 1-4 to 1-2 clear. The Carbery side finished the half well and were five points clear at the break, 1-9 to 1-4.
Killavullen were a transformed side in the second half. They moved Gene Kelleher to the ‘40’ with Brian O’Driscoll going to midfield. Five rapid points had the sides level 1-9 each by the 37th. Both sides exchanged points. The Avondhu side sealed their place in the county semi-final when Martin Carroll and Michael Whelan worked well for Alan O’Driscoll, who goaled and helped his side to a five point win.
Team: Rory Lankford, Finny Magner, Padraig Lankford, Bartley Hayes, John O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll 0-3, Liam Dorgan 0-1, Gene Kelleher 0-1, Paul Hartnett, David Hartnett, Martin Carroll (capt) 0-6, Alan O’Driscoll 1-2, Michael Whelan, Ian O’Driscoll 0-1, Joe Taylor 1-0. Subs: Edmund O’Connor for Bartley Hayes, Tony Carroll for David Hartnett.
TIGHT SEMI-FINAL
In early November, Killavullen faced Donoughmore in the Co JAFC semi-final in Ballyclough. It was a tough county championship game with Killavullen lucky to hold out for a close win - 0-9 to 0-8.
After a hard fought opening half, Killavullen led at the break 0-7 to 0-4. Donoughmore did well on the changeover and by the 4lst minute, the lead was down to a point - 0-7 to 0-6. Donoughmore were then reduced to 14 players. Good play by Michael Whelan led to a David Hartnett point, 0-8 to 0-6 at the end of the third quarter. The Donoughmore ‘keeper made 3 splendid saves in quick succession.
Seven minutes had elapsed before the next score by Donoughmore. The winners were awarded a ‘45. Liam Dorgan found team captain Martin Carroll who kicked a fine point that was the winning score. Donoughmore got a point back but time ran out and Killavullen were through to the county final.
Team: Rory Lankford, Edmund O’Connor, Padraig Lankford, Bartley Hayes, John O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll, Liam Dorgan, Gene Kelleher, Paul Hartnett, David Hartnett, Martin Carroll, Alan O’Driscoll, Michael Whelan, Ian O’Driscoll, Joe Taylor. Sub: Tony Carroll for Joe Taylor.
COUNTY FINAL DEFEAT
The county JAFC final was played in Charleville on Sunday, December 6th before a very large attendance against Newmarket, who had previously won the Co JAFC title on one occasion, in 1970. Crucially in terms of lifting their challenge, Killavullen missed out on a catalogue of chances to undermine their bid and contributing to their downfall, was the shooting of 19 wides over the hour’s play.
James Morgan in goal for the winners was outstanding and saved two balls that were destined to go over the bar. It took a brave block by Newmarket’s James Morgan to foil Ian O’Driscoll of shooting a goal as their wides tally began to mount. The Duhallow side took the lead in the 39th minute when John Cronin pointed, followed by a punched point by John Paul O’Neill, as the winners moved 0-8 to 0-6 ahead.
Killavullen came back strong with the masterly leadership of Brian O’Driscoll who moved to midfield to curb the dominance of Newmarket’s Denis O’Brien. Killavullen still missed some good chances from play and frees, having 10 in the second half to their first half tally of 9. The winners had just five wides over the hour. Mark O’Sullivan pointed in the dying moments, 0-9 to 0-6.
Killavullen battled bravely. Alan O’Driscoll had the Avondhu side’s first score of the second half in the dying moments. Killavullen really had Newmarket on the rack in a desperate fling and Brian O’Driscoll’s last ditch effort sailed over the crossbar to allow Newmarket’s dogged perseverance grind out a thrilling victory 0-9 to 0-8, but a major disappointment to the many loyal Killavullen followers.
Killavullen: Rory Lankford, Edmund O’Connor, Padraig Lankford, Bartley Hayes, John O’Regan, Brian O’Driscoll 0-2, Liam Dorgan, Gene Kelleher, Paul Hartnett, David Hartnett 0-1, Martin Carroll 0-4, Alan O’Driscoll, Michael
Whelan, Ian O’Driscoll 0-1, Joe Taylor. Sub: Tony Carroll for Joe Taylor.
JUNIOR A FOOTBALLERS WIN LEAGUE TITLE
In 1998, the Junior A footballers were in a nine team league. They had wins over Churchtown, Fermoy, Grange, Glanworth, Deel Rovers, Mallow and Mitchelstown, losing just one game during the campaign v Kilworth (1-9 to 0-7) and drawing 3-9 to 1-15 with Mitchelstown.
Their opening game was against Grange where they emerged winners by 4-13 to 0-3. Their scorers being Edmund O’Connor 2-0, Alan O’Driscoll 1-3, Brian O’Driscoll 0-4, David Hartnett 1-0, Gene Kelleher 0-2, Martin Carroll 0-2, Michael Whelan 0-1 and Joe Taylor 0-1.
At half-time versus Mitchelstown, Killavullen led 2-4 to 0-8. They were level at the end of the third quarter 3-7 to 1-13. Killavullen scorers were Martin Carroll 0-5, Alan O’Driscoll 1-0, Brian O’Driscoll 0-3, Liam Dorgan 0-2, Gene Kelleher 0-2 and Joe Taylor 0-1.
Killavullen had a 0-9 to 0-4 win over Mallow, having led 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time. Scorers were David Hartnett 0-4, Gene Kelleher 0-2, Martin Carroll 0-2 and Ian O’Driscoll 0-1.
They were in the final against Deel Rovers in Buttevant, where they emerged comprehensive winners by 6-17 to 0-12.
SYNOPSIS 1998
In the JAHL they were in a group of 10, with Charleville, Kilworth, Harbour Rovers, Ballyhooly, Ballygiblin, Shanballymore, Dromina, Liscarroll and Clyda Rovers. The Junior A hurlers had a reasonable run in the league but did not make the knockout stages.
In the JAHC, Killavullen defeated Ballyhea in Doneraile by 3-19 to 2-5. They then faced Dromina in the quarter-final in Mallow and for the third year in a row, Dromina defeated them at the quarter-final stage, on this occasion by 0-11 to 0-8.
The Under 21 A footballers faced Rathluirc Rovers in the opening round of the championship at Shanballymore, which was also a quarter-final. They were beaten by a very strong Rathluirc Rovers side 1-8 to 1-3. The Charleville side went on to take the title and reached the county final.
The Under 21 A hurlers met Newtownshandrum in the quarter-final. The game in Buttevant saw Newtown’ advance by 4-8 to 2-6.
U14 LEAGUE FINAL
Before the JAFC county final in December 1998, Killavullen U14 B footballers played Micheal MacCarthaighs in the league final in Glanworth. A stronger Buttevant side emerged winners by 2-8 to 1-2. The game was played in heavy underfoot conditions due to the constant rain. The winners gained control early on and led 1-1 to 0-0 by the 15th minute. By half-time it was 2-5 to 0-1.
Pat Egan had Killavullen’s goal 2-5 to 1-2. The Buttevant side held firm and had 3 late points to take the title 2-8 to 1-2.
Killavullen team: David Fitzpatrick, Patrick O’Rahilly, Niall O’Callaghan, Darren Linehan, Stuart Linehan, Shane Linehan, Ned O’Meara, Ben Norris 0-2, Colm O’Connell, Tadhg Foley, Daniel Callanan, Neil O’Rahilly, Pat Egan 1-0, Fergal Larkin, Edward Linehan.