Dungourney 3-14 Valley Rovers 1-13
Dungourney produced a solid brand of hurling as two goals from Cillian O’Callaghan saw off Valley Rovers in a disappointing Co Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship tie at Blarney.
The game swung too and fro for long periods, but the East Cork side got crucial scores at vital times. Valley Rovers, in contrast, registered 13 wides over the hour.
The opening exchanges were frantic and despite playing against a fairly stiff breeze, Dungourney started the brighter with Jack Leahy nailing a point. The Innishannon side were putting their bodies on the line and the teams were soon back on parity courtesy of a Chris O’Leary white flag.
Dungourney were isolating full-forward John Ahern and it paid dividends in the sixth minute when he caught a high ball before getting hauled down on route to goal. Up stepped Ahern and he duly billowed the back of the net from the resultant penalty.
In a bright opening half Valley Rovers can have few complaints as playing with the aid of the wind their shooting let them down big time tallying a total of nine wides.
The play was lethargic at times with Dungourney playing a short passing game but when they got opportunities in front of goal, they took them on a consistent basis.
Indeed, they finished the half in style with a classy goal as Cillian O’Callaghan made a fabulous run before placing the ball to the corner of the net.
Leading 2-6 to 1-7 at the break, Dungourney looked the happier of the two sides as they had the wind advantage for the restart.
Valley Rovers’ Kevin Dart O’Flynn turns from Dungourney’s Bryan Forbes. Picture: Denis Boyle
Consecutive Leahy points gave them the perfect start and when Bryan Forbes produced a moment of magic to spilt the posts in the 38th minute, the East Cork side extended their lead to six points.
Valley Rovers were now firmly on the ropes, but they responded with a brace of O’Leary points.
The main problem of poor shooting continued for Rovers as Dungourney’s ability to win the majority of dirty ball stood to them when their opponents threatened to get back on level terms.
In the end, this game was put to bed with three minutes remaining when O’Callaghan got in behind Rovers’ defence and squeezed the ball home. It was all about closing out the game for Dungourney in the closing minutes as they held out to secure the crucial win.
Scorers for Dungourney: J Leahy 0-8 (0-6 f), C O’Callaghan 2-0, J Ahern 1-2 (1-0 pen), N McGrath, B Forbes, N Motherway, J McCarthy 0-1 each.
Valley Rovers: C O’Leary 0-6 (0-5 f), C Taheny 1-2, S Ryan 0-2, E Crowley, M Woods, H O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
DUNGOURNEY: P O’Flynn; R Harney, M Leahy, D Healy; C Murphy, J Griffin, M McGrath; J McCarthy, S Hegarty; C O’Callaghan, J Leahy, N McGrath; N Motherway, J Ahern, B Forbes.
Sub: K Cody-Byrne for M McGrath (inj 56).
VALLEY ROVERS: C Desmond; J O’Driscoll, M O’Leary, T McGrath; J Walsh, E Guinane, B McCarthy; M Woods, S Ryan; A Kenneally, K Dart O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan; E Crowley, C O’Leary, C Taheny.
Subs: H O’Sullivan for K D O’Flynn (45), C Butler for R O’Sullivan (47).
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Éire Óg).