Kieran Kingston: 'That is the only reason I went back to see if I could give them some hand'
DELIGHTED: Tracton players celebrating with Kieran Kingston after defeating Killavullen in the JAHC final, at Pairc Ui Rinn. Picture: David Keane.
An emotional Co-Op Superstores Cork JAHC final victory for Tracton in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night. The reaction at the final whistle said it all.
Their fall from Premier junior hurling in 2023 the latest blow.
They’ve made a prompt return after a game where the enthusiasm from both sides was exceptional despite the adverse weather.
Ronan Walsh made light of the conditions to register 10 points (nine placed balls) while Michael O’Sullivan grabbed a sensational goal - both players have been around this squad for a long time.
Kieran Kingston came on board this year.
“The club is 136 years in existence, it has only won four counties. A small club struggling to field teams in minor and U21, so the club needed a win, a win of some sort after being relegated last year,” the former Cork manager said.
“We were in a county final in 2010, that was to go up senior. We lost to Ballymartle who went on and won the All-Ireland. We lost the Premier junior final two years ago to Ballygiblin, they went on and won the All-Ireland. Now we’re back playing in the junior grade.
“Some of this group have had a tough time.
“You’ve fellas like Seán O’Sullivan, Kieran Corrigan, Joe Kingston, Ronan Walsh and Michael O’Sullivan - that is their third county final. So, I’m delighted for that group, and the people of Tracton, because we were starved.
“We finished the game tonight with three guys in their 40s, they have a lot of service done, I’m delighted for them in particular. They deserve it, and the club deserves something because we’ve had very little success.
“That is the only reason I went back to see if I could give them some hand.”
The Minane Bridge outfit was never headed and while first-time north Cork winners Killavullen remained hot on their heels, they couldn’t close the gap any 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 Michael O’Sullivan who showed a tremendous burst of speed to cut in from the half-forward line and bury the sliotar to the roof of the net pushed them 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.
Walsh ensured Tracton would go to the dressing-room 1-7 to 1-4 up.
After half time Walsh added three frees, whilst Colm O’Mahony hit back with a brace in the 42nd and 43rd minute, 1-8 to 1-10. Paul O’Riordan put further daylight between the teams after the effective John Good set him up.
Try as they might, Killavullen could never gain parity. In the three additional minutes, who else but Walsh was on target again to push the lead to five.
Rory Sinclair is the proud captain who took ownership of the John Quirke Cup.
R Walsh (0-10, 0-7 frees, 0-2 65s), M O’Sullivan (1-1), M Byrne (0-3), P O’Riordan (0-1).
: J Magner (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65), C O’Mahony (0-1 free) and L Fox (0-2 each), D O’Grady and 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 (30+2), C Looney for E Cotter (50).
: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).
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