Hughie O’Donovan delivers for Valley Rovers at the death

Valley Rovers 2-6 Avondhu 0-11: Hughie O’Donovan’s goal in the fifth minute of injury time seized victory for Valley Rovers in the first round of the county SFC at Watergrasshill last night.

The Innishannon side led by 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time and pushed further clear thanks to a free by O’Donovan on the resumption, but they would be held scoreless for the remainder of normal time. Avondhu reeled them in point by point, and points from their Cork players Tomás Clancy and Colm O’Neill (two) between the 57th and 62nd minutes looked to have secured the win, putting them three points ahead.

When sub Billy Crowley was fouled, O’Donovan opted to put the free over, hopeful there would be time for another effort. After Avondhu’s Séamus Madigan shot wide, Valleys were afforded a final chance, working the ball slowly up the field until Fiachra Lynch was able to launch it towards the goal.