Cork SFL: Valley Rovers the early pace-setters after win over St Finbarr’s

Valley Rovers are the early leaders in the Rochestown Park Hotel FL Division 1 after securing their second successive win when seeing off St Finbarr’s on Friday night.

The Innishannon outfit, whose Tadhg Crowley Cup final win over Clonakilty had counted as a league win too, were 1-7 to 0-8 winners in Togher. David Lynch’s long-range second-half goal proved the key score after the hosts had led at half-time.

County champions Castlehaven began their campaign with a home win against Nemo Rangers in a repeat of last year’s final. They made use of the wind in the first-half for a 2-11 to 0-9 victory. The Haven had the win as good as secured by half-time, when they led 1-8 to 0-0. Cathal Maguire with the goal. Seánie Cahalane added frees while Conor Nolan and Stephen Hurley were also on the scoresheet. Three Conor Horgan frees got Nemo off the mark on the resumption, but on 43 minutes the Haven struck for the crucial score as Shane Nolan got their second goal.

Barry O’Mahony scored 1-4 as Clonakilty were 1-16 to 0-9 winners away to Douglas, with David O’Regan, Alan Murphy and Ian Falvey also among the scores.

At Mourneabbey, Clyda Rovers staged a great comeback to secure a 0-9 to 1-6 draw with Bishopstown. Playing against the wind in the first half, Clyda trailed 1-5 to 0-2, Sam Oakes with the Town’s goal, but Conor Flanagan, Séamus Ronayne and Cian O’Sullivan scored as they ate into the city lead before O’Sullivan got a late equaliser.

Ballincollig were 0-10 to 1-4 winners at home to Naomh Abán. The 2014 county champions led 0-8 to 0-3 at half-time, with John Kelly and Cian Dorgan getting some good points as Niall Allen and Ciarán O’Sullivan impressed. Micheál Ó Cróinín’s penalty brought the Baile Bhúirne side back to within two, 0-9 to 1-4 but they wouldn’t come any closer. Elsewhere, Ilen Rovers were 2-3 to 0-6 winners against Newcestown.