Bandon stand tall to foil battling Valley

BANDON had to withstand a tremendous second-half fight-back by Valley Rovers before winning this keenly contested Evening Echo IHC quarter-final at Newcestown yesterday.

The west Cork side looked likely winners after turning over nine points in front at the break, 1-8 to 0-2, but were grateful to corner back James O’Donovan who made a magnificent save from Richard Butler in injury time to deny Rovers what would have been a winning goal.

The wind was clearly a factor and Bandon made maximum use of it in the opening half. Four points in the opening six minutes gave them an early lead and it might have been more but Gavin O’Riordan’s well struck 20-metre free was deflected over for a point.