Killeavy bitten by the Big Apple in Féile semi
Killeavy u14's travelled to Cavan last weekend to represent Armagh in the All-Ireland Féile competition. This was a wonderful sporting occasion and Killeavy played its part to the full with the boys being a credit to their parents, their club and their county. The first competitive match of the weekend was against our host club Crosserlough on Friday afternoon. Killeavy breezed through this game winning by 17 points on a scoreline of 4.08 to 0.03. Later on Friday evening, Killeavy took their place in the Féile parade which started in Breffni Park and proceeded through the streets of Cavan town. The parade was a wonderful occasion with one hundred and seventy four boys and girls teams from all over Ireland, England, Scotland and the United States taking part. On Saturday morning, Killeavy played Castlerahan from Cavan in a torrential downpour which prevented any repeat of the stylish football of just the day before. At half time, Killeavy were losing by three points but a magnificent second half display of grit and determination got them home by 0.08 to 1.02. The weather improved for the major test of the Meath champions, Dunboyne, in the final group match. Dunboyne were heavy favourites for this match especially with the experience of former Meath manager, Sean Boylan, coaching his young club team from the sidelines. Killeavy responded with a magnificent display of football, easily the best they have played in an all-conquering year to overturn the odds. Playing against the wind in the first half, two goals by Kealan O'Hare and a magnificent rearguard performance starring Michael Murphy and Jamie Cosgrove were the keys to the eventual victory by 2.05 to 0.04.Killeavy were through as group winners to the divisional semi-final. Killeavy were also boosted by the magnificent display of Ciaran O'Hanlon in the skills test which is an integral part of Féile. Ciaran had a faultless run through the various skills of kicking and passing to win the group final. In the semi-final, Killeavy were paired with New York who have won four Divisional titles in the last six years. A four point lead was built up with only five minutes remaining, but the team were absolutely out on their feet, having expended so much energy against Dunboyne. A bigger, more physical New York side who were well schooled in the skills of gaelic football gradually reeled them in and struck a killer blow of a goal giving them a one point lead in the final minute. Killeavy had one last chance to tie the game but the effort went agonisingly wide. There was further disappointment for Killeavy when Ciaran O'Hanlon who had run his heart out for the cause had to immediately take part in the divisional skills final only minutes after the disappointment of losing to New York. As usual Ciaran tried manfully only to suffer the heartbreak of seeing his leading time equalled by the last competitor requiring a sudden death re-run. This time it was just a step too far and Ciaran missed out on the Breffni Park final. A word of praise for our host club Crosserlough who were magnificent throughout the weekend and couldn't do enough for the boys and for the sixty or so supporters that had travelled with them. The Féile weekend was a magnificent experience for the team and one that I am sure will live long in their memory. Some of the adults will also have stories to tell, but that's for another day.....
The Killeavy team carrying the flag for Armagh underage football.