Regan helps Cullion to safety

Cullion 3-19, Castletown Geoghegan 1-17

Cullion ensured their senior status for 2024 with a crucial 3-19 to 1-17 victory over Castletown Geoghegan in a tense relegation battle on Sunday in Killucan. For Castletown Geoghegan, victory was a must to avoid the drop, but Cullion's strong finish secured their safety.

Castletown started brightly, racing into an early lead, scoring three points in as many minutes and going 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after eight minutes. Sean Jackson, their talisman, converted two early frees, with Cian Gavigan and Conor Lynch also getting on the scoresheet. Cullion, however, gradually grew into the game, with full-forward Jack Gillen leading the response. Gillen hit four points in succession, three from play, to bring his side back into contention.

Castletown struck a major blow in the 18th minute when Sean Jackson teed up Conor Lynch for a goal. However, Cullion hit back with two quickfire goals. First, Kevin Regan wove through the Castletown defence to fire past Eoin Glennon, and just a minute later, Shane Broughan added a second to put Cullion back in the lead. Points from Gillen and Pierce Shaw helped Cullion hold a 2-9 to 1-8 advantage at half-time.

Castletown fought hard in the second half, with Odhran Gavigan and Sean Jackson adding points, but Cullion's superior firepower proved decisive. Jamie Kindregan and Conor Regan contributed key scores, while Kevin Regan forced a scrappy third goal over the line in the 48th minute, sealing the win for Cullion.

The victory was a testament to Cullion’s ability to seize control in the decisive moments, ensuring their senior hurling status for another year. Castletown Geoghegan, despite valiant efforts, will face the drop after a hard-fought contest.

Scorers - Cullion: Jack Gillen 0-9 (0-3 frees), Kevin Regan 2-1, Shane Broughan 1-1, Conor Regan 0-4, Jamie Kindregan 0-3, Pierce Shaw 0-1.

Castletown Geoghegan: Sean Jackson 0-10 (0-8 frees), Conor Lynch 1-3, Odhran Gavigan, Cian Gavigan, Neal Kirby, Joe Clarke 0-1 each.

Cullion: Conor Kelly; James Clarke, Rob Gillen, Liam Shaw; Shane O’Connor, Conor Shaw, Pierce Shaw; Pierce Corroon, Conor Gilhooley; Andrew Connaughton, Conor Regan, Shane Broughan; Jamie Kindregan, Jack Gillen, Kevin Regan. Subs: Dan Connaughton for Shane O’Connor, Mark Tunney for Pierce Shaw (56), Brian O’Reilly for Jack Gillen (58), Stephen Burke for James Clarke (60), Joseph Cahill for Andrew Connaughton (61).

Castletown Geoghegan: Eoin Glennon; Fergal O’Brien, Mikey Lynam, Conall Fagan; Odhran Gavigan, Ryan Boyne, Andrew Conway; Shane Doran, Eoin Kiernan; Sean Jackson, Cian Gavigan, Neal Kirby; Dean Slevin, Conor Lynch, Joe Clarke. Subs: Paul O’Sullivan for Ryan Boyne (half-time), Killian Jackson for Sean Jackson, Alan Conlon for Conor Lynch (58).

Referee: Kenneth Gunning (St Brigid’s).