Raharney eke out victory over Cullion despite Gillen heroics

Raharney 1-15, Cullion 0-16

By Robert Kindregan

Raharney kicked off their Intermediate Hurling Championship campaign with a narrow victory over Cullion in Clonkill on Saturday afternoon.

Cullion stayed in the contest through Jack Gillen’s heroics, the talented hurler scoring 15 of their 16 points from every angle. Raharney never came to grips with their opponents’ one-dimensional attacking threat.

Cullion were let down by scoring droughts and their discipline, conceding over 10 frees from scoring positions, which Joe Mulvaney punished with an excellent eight-point haul from placed balls.

Winston McHugh’s early second-half goal proved decisive, stretching Raharney’s lead to five points, a margin they managed for much of the remainder despite Gillen’s outstanding man-of-the-match display.

Mulvaney opened his account with a free after five minutes from around the 65’, making amends after missing a much easier opportunity inside the opening minute.

Both sides exchanged wides as Mulvaney doubled Raharney’s lead with a free from just inside his own half. After a nine-minute drought, Gillen opened Cullion’s account with an excellent score from a difficult angle on the right before repeating the feat moments later from an almost identical position.

Gillen then converted a free after Jack Galvin was fouled before converting another placed ball, edging Cullion in front after 16 minutes.

Mulvaney responded with another free before Jamie Carr levelled proceedings with Raharney’s first score from play, a fine long-range effort off his right.

Receiving possession in midfield, Gillen burst towards the left wing, created space and split the posts off his left.

Raharney corner-back Matt Shaw caught a long ball but was dispossessed under pressure from Shane Broughan, allowing Gillen to collect possession and fire over another excellent point.

Cullion’s momentum was halted by a point from Aaron Flanagan straight from the puck-out before Brian Smyth levelled matters. His initial effort struck the post, but he scored at the second attempt.

Raharney regained the lead for the first time in 10 minutes through another Mulvaney free from the right wing. Cullion replied immediately when Jack Galvin finished well after good work from the puck-out.

Mulvaney and Gillen then exchanged scores, a free and a point from play respectively, as their duel continued.

A superb delivery from Gillen found Brian O’Reilly in space with only the goalkeeper to beat. He struck first time off the ground but failed to connect cleanly and the danger was cleared and the referee blew the whistle for half-time moments later with the sides level at 0-8 apiece.

Raharney started the second half brightly as Carr restored their lead before Winston McHugh threatened again, only to be denied by an excellent block from Jamie Kindregan. Mulvaney’s delivery then found McHugh in space and he made no mistake, burying the ball to the net after just three minutes of the second half to leave Raharney five points clear.

Following exchanged wides, Gillen ended Cullion’s second scoring drought with another superb point from a tight angle on the right. At the other end, Carr threatened a goal but goalkeeper Conor Kelly saved well, conceding a 65 which Mulvaney converted.

Jack Galvin won a free around halfway and Gillen duly converted before adding his 10th point of the afternoon with a superb long-range effort from well inside his own half.

Cullion pressed. Jamie Kindregan narrowly missed from a difficult angle before Conor Gilhooley won the puck-out and hand-passed to Gillen, who again split the posts.

Gillen reduced the deficit to one point with two frees in quick succession from the right wing. Raharney finally ended a 10-minute scoring drought when McHugh produced an excellent point under intense pressure.

Mulvaney steadied Raharney with another free to restore a three-point advantage. Gillen responded with a free five minutes from time before adding another with less than a minute remaining to ensure an exciting finish.

Mulvaney replied with a late free, while Cullion launched long deliveries into the Raharney defence in search of a winning goal, but Raharney held firm until the final whistle.

Neither side produced their best hurling, but Raharney’s spread of scorers proved decisive.

Cullion, tipped for promotion this season, will need greater scoring support for Gillen. Kevin Regan’s return from injury should strengthen their challenge.

Scorers - Raharney: Joe Mulvaney 0-8 (0-8f), Winston McHugh 1-3, Jamie Carr 0-2, Aaron Flanagan 0-1, Aaron Ready 0-1.

Cullion: Jack Gillen 0-15 (0-8f), Jack Galvin 0-1

Raharney: Darragh Weir, Ryan Murphy, Sean McGee, Matt Shaw, David Weir, Pearse Weir Norris, Cian Weir, Aaron Flanagan, Mark Doherty, Eoin Weir, Winston McHugh, Joe Mulvaney, Jamie Carr, Brian Smyth, Aaron Ready. Subs: Nathan McCabe (for C. Weir).

Cullion: Conor Kelly, Brendan King, James Clarke, Pierce Shaw, Andy Connaughton, Conor Regan, Conor Gilhooley, Jamie Kindregan, Mikey Sinnott, Jimmy Kelly, Jack Gillen, Eoin Fox, Brian O’Reilly, Jack Galvin, Shane Broughan. Subs: Tadgh Desmond (for P. Shaw), Dylan Tone (J. Kelly), Robbie Gillen (B. O’Reilly).

Referee: Robbie Dillon (Kilcormac Killoughey).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the Match

Jack Gillen produced a remarkable individual display, scoring from all areas of the field and finishing comfortably as the standout performer despite strong performances from Winston McHugh and Joe Mulvaney for Raharney.

Moment of the Match

Winston McHugh’s early second-half goal created the crucial gap that ultimately proved enough for Raharney.

Entertainment Value: 8/10 - A gripping finish with just a single score separating the sides.