Parish Sports 2024
Much to the delight of the young people who attend Killavullen NS, Ballygown NS and Rahan NS the Killavullen Parish sports was held this year for the first time in 5 years.
The last time this event took place was summer 2019–little did we know that day how much we would yearn for simple, sociable events like these to happen once more. The races were open to all children attending those 3 primary schools as well as to all Primary School children who live in the parish.
Along with the usual preschool and age graded races a 400m sprint was held for the much-treasured Gerard Owens cup. There was a record number of families running in the family relay with the Curran family, Jeremiah, Morgan and Fiachra winning the battle. The Michael Nagle Cup is presented annually to the top winning school and this year it ended in a tie between Killavullen NS and Ballygown NS.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, light-heartedness and entertainment the Principal’s of both schools, Mr Damien Fallon and Mr John Hannon decided the best way to see who should claim the cup for 2024 was to have a (hopefully inaugural) Principals Race! Both headmasters made their way to the start line with a little sprinkle of pranks and devilment. After one false start, and to the cheers and hollers from the sideline by young and old alike both men raced their way to the finish line with Damien Fallon taking the win for Killavullen NS. Definitely a memory for many to come, and a great way to kick start the return of Killavullen Parish Sports.
Huge gratitude is extended to all who organised the event, the stewards, secretaries, linesmen, race starter, MC, photographers and to all who turned up with a spirit of community and happiness. We held firm. We stayed apart and we really enjoyed being together as a community again.
School’s out for summer!
This week the two primary schools in the parish, Killavullen NS and Ballygown NS, are preparing for their summer holidays. It is time for the children and the staff alike to put away the school bags and lunchboxes.
In our Parish we are very fortunate to have 2 schools which are staffed by the most conscientious and dedicated of people. Each and every one has a role to play in the lives of the young people in our community. Thank you for all you do for the younger people in our community. You all go above and beyond on a daily basis and our children are very fortunate to have your influence in their lives.
To all the pupils — have a great summer and keep in mind your safety as you enjoy yourself: safety on the road, safety near water and safety on the farm. Slán Libh to all those in 6 th Class and congratulations to you all for reaching the wonderful milestone of completing Primary Education. Both schools have done a superb and remarkable job of making sure you still had a memorable end to your year. Best wishes to you all as you embark on your Secondary Education.
Farmer’s Market
Killavullen Farmer’s Market will be held again on Saturday, June 29th at the Birthplace of Nano Nagle. Fresh produce and crafts are available for purchase on the day between 10.30am and 1pm. All are welcome to come along for what is always a sociable day out.
Chiropody Dates
Appointments with our friendly and dedicated chiropodist Patricia are now available for July 6th and August 3rd. Please contact her at 0863225052 to arrange an appointment.
Community Walk
A community walk with historian Christy Roche is planned for Killavullen on MondayJuly 29th. Meeting at Killavullen GAA grounds, the walk which is organised by Avondhu Blackwater starts at 10.30am and lasts approx. 2 hours.
To book your place please contact Lorna at 086 4404050 or email her lorna@avondhublackwater.com
Lotto
Killavullen Community Council Lotto takes place twice a week. The bonus ball of the National Lottery draw is the winning number each Wednesday and Saturday evening. The following people have been the most recent jackpot winners have been Sean Murphy and Redmond Lane! Thank you to one and all for your kind and ongoing support.
Parish news
Cloyne Diocesan Youth Service, Summer Camp, for Boys and Girls (5- 14 yrs.): It’s an opportunity for young people to develop confidence and character, and to know and experience the love of God through Sports, Arts, Crafts, Music, Dance, Drama, Prayer and Catechesism. Cost: €50 for the first child; €30 per additional child! Venue: Youth Community Centre, Mallow. Days: July 2-5, 2024 from 2.00- 3.00pm. Contact: Bernadette (Mallow Parish Youth Ministry — CDYS) on 086 8031126
On June, 28, a Day-Trip Faith Camp for Children (esecially Altar Servers, and those who have taken part in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word this year) will travel to Ardmore following a visit to the Carmelite Monastery in Tallow. Children who have celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation this year are also very welcome. A mini-bus / cars will leave Killavullen Church gates at 10.00am. The day will be led by leaders of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Booking forms will be circulated to schools in the coming days and are also available from the sacristy.
GAA club news
A win in final hurling league game against Clyda – Killavullen travelled to MourneAbbey last Sunday morning knowing that nothing short of a win was essential for their league aspirations, in what is all very tight at the top of the ultra-competitive Avondhu Division 1 hurling league. A hard pitch was compensated for by being lined and flagged, and had a good covering of grass.
Clyda opened the scoring from midfield, but Jamie Magner equalised for us, quickly from a free. We got a lovely point from distance from Darragh O’Grady but Clyda took the lead when a high centre in towards our goals, was flicked on expertly into the net by Chris Buckley, in their full forward line. Clyda were more than up for this game, despite nothing been on the line for them, and they tacked on 3 points in quick succession to open up a commanding lead. We lost Darragh to a blood injury to his hand that necessitates stitches and Sean Palmer was utilised from the bench. Jamie scored another free for us, but Clyda scored their fifth point in the 12th minute.
Clyda had been the better team in the opening period, reacting quickest to the breaking ball, and bursting through from midfield. Colm O’Mahony got a good point back for us, and added another, after a great catch in the 16th minute. Jamie scored another point, and gradually our workhorses in the middle of the field, Liam Fox, and the returning Michael Cagney powered into the game. Liam Cronin was immense, the best on the field but while he deserves isolation, the back line as a whole worked cohesively, and were strong together.
Better midfield play meant better ball into the forwards and Eddie Cotter was out in front of his man, and scored tidily. Jamie Magner got two converted frees in quick succession, and we were level as halftime approached. Our full forward line of Seamus, Eddie and Kian Lane won a dirty ball, and Eddie released Kian in on goals, he finished coolly to the net, but was injured in the art of scoring, and took no further part in the game. His opponent defender received a yellow card for his misdemeanour. The result was that Killavullen went in leading at the break, 1-09 to 1-06. The referee blew the whistle to signal the interval and to allow Kian received treatment for his head injury. He was replaced for the second half by Conor Griffin, and Sean stayed on permanently for Darragh.
Clyda got the opening point of the second period, from play, and we lost Seamus O’Mahony to an ankle injury. Paul O’Sullivan scored a nice point from distance for us, but Clyda scored a point back from a free. Jamie caught a great ball from the air, and wrestled free of close pursuers to send a great point over the bar. Jamie then scored two more frees after Conor Griffin was fouled, and Sean Palmer earned another free, from a chop. In between these two frees, Clyda scored two from open play, when we lost our shape somewhat. With the score at 1-13 to 1-10 , Charlie Cremin made two fantastic saves, the first was brilliant, but how he clamoured to his feet and blocked the second was what had people mesmerized.
Killavullen survived with the goal line intact and the stark reality of the enormity of the saves was illustrated in the next Killavullen attack, when Eddie Cotter, drove it on goals, and his bullet like shot, clipped a defenders hurley and gave Conor Roche in goals for Clyda no chance. Big swing in a tight game. Killavullen now were in ascendancy, and Jamie scored another free, and the dye was cast when Colm O’Mahony gathered a high ball, and used his strength to wrestle free for long enough to get away his shot that finished to the net. Jamie again scored another free, and Liam Fox, rifled over our last score from distance.
Rory Regan was sprung from the bench, for the ailing Eddie after a great shift. Clyda got a goal back from a powerful shot from a close in free, and nearly reduced the margin further, with time up, as a powerful shot came back off the crossbar. Peter Watson, the referee signalled the final whistle, and Killavullen had won out, on a score of 3-16 to 2-10. Final Score; Killavullen 3-16, Clyda Rovers 2-10.
Whatever happens now in a league final or playoff, Killavullen would have been well pleased with a fine league campaign, in which the depth of their squad was illustrated by finding replacements for players with injuries, holidays, exams, and other commitments.
Lotto – There was no winner this week of the Lotto Last Tuesday night, the 11th of June, when the jackpot on the night was €2,800, there was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot. The numbers that were drawn were 8, 21 and 28. The draw on the 18h of June will be for €2,900.
The winners of the lucky dips last Tuesday evening were as follows; €50 — Pat Sheehan (seller — Haven Bar); €30 — Sheila Lane (seller — Mary Mellerick); €20 — Amanda O’Gorman (seller — Edmund O’Gorman. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website- Killavullengaa.com. Thank you for your anticipated and ongoing support.
Juvenile Blitzes – Our U11 football team played away to Fermoy last Saturday morning in wet conditions. Well done lads, great team display and great work rate from each player, thanks as always to the coaches involved.
Great Saturday morning for our U7s who had their first ever football blitz in Doneraile, weather wasn’t great but they didn’t care, super skills on display from them, well done to all players and they enjoyed their well-deserved treats afterwards, huge thanks to all their coaches for their time and commitment to this group.
Juvenile Fundraiser – Killavullen juvenile GAA are running a summer draw to generate funds to help run our group, it’s our main fundraiser to keep our group running, all members are selling lines and the draw will take place this weekend 22nd/23rd June. There’s also an iDonate option for you to support us https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/KillavullenJuvenileGAAClub Thanks as always for your support.
Killavullen GAA in the Past – In the past, with typically only one game in the championship and it being straight knock out, it was not uncommon to have more than one club in a parish. Killavullen were no different, and in the early 1950’s, St. Nicholas was the other club, in the parish.
The Church of St. Nicholas, Killavullen was blessed on August 15, 1839, when Philip Greene (1799-1877) was Parish Priest. It is dedicated to an Irish saint of the Fifth century, who is associated with nearby Monanimy. His sister, Craebhnait, founded the church at Clenor (Annakisha). The site was donated by the Hennessy Family of Ballymacmoy, who were among the ‘Wild Geese’ that settled in the Cognac region of France. The church in Killavullen is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and the local club took its name from there.
