Mallow through to knockouts after convincing display against Valley Rovers

With both themselves and Valley Rovers having tasted victory on the opening weekend of action, this was a top of the table clash, not that you’d have guessed such given the one-sided nature of proceedings.

CONVINCING: Fiachra Lynch, Valley Rovers, Shane Merritt, Mallow.

Mallow 2-11 Valley Rovers 0-7 

Reigning champions St Finbarr’s, 2020 winners Nemo Rangers, and Carbery Rangers represent the illustrious company now being kept by premier senior newcomers Mallow as these are the four teams safely through to the knockout phase of the Cork PSFC with a round of group action still remaining.

An extension of their winning start in Group B, coupled with yesterday’s Douglas-Ballincollig stalemate, means Mallow are guaranteed their place in the last seven of the Cork football championship after only two outings.

Eight and a half months after winning the Cork Senior A title at the second attempt, the premier senior newcomers are the surprise package of this year’s championship, positioning themselves as they have at the top of Group B with two wins from two.

Saturday’s comfortable win over Valley Rovers had put Keith Moynihan’s charges in the driving seat for involvement in the knockout phase ahead of their final game in three weeks’ time, but confirmation of their progression arrived far earlier than expected yesterday afternoon when Douglas and Ballincollig could not be separated, a result that ensures a top two group finish for Mallow.

“If we win the next day, we’re into the next round. That is the priority – to get out of the group,” Moynihan had said directly after Saturday’s win.

“We are absolutely delighted to have had two good wins and two good performances, with more to work on. That is exactly where you want to be as a coach.” “A team that lost a championship final to Éire Óg and then came back and won it a few months later must be given credit. There is a certain amount of resolve and belief within the group. Our league this year didn’t go well. The fact that fellas hung in there, fellas worked, and learned, we are getting reward now in these two games.” At the root of their second consecutive premier senior championship win was a clinical streak in front of goal that their opponents were so sorely lacking.

That contrast in scoring efficiency and ruthlessness was perfectly captured during back-to-back passages of play around the 19th minute mark of the first half.

In the first, a series of intricate handpasses put Valley Rovers’ Ciaran McCarthy inside the cover, but his shot was deflected over the crossbar by Mallow ‘keeper Kevin Doyle. From the ensuing restart, Mallow went down the field and Kieran O’Sullivan delivered the game’s opening goal, via the left-hand post, to move Mallow 1-4 to 0-3 in front.

Ryan Harkin added a point three minutes later to stretch out the Mallow lead, a score that came from a turnover at the other end after Valley Rovers’ latest hit and hope into their inside forwards did not stick. Their persistence with percentage passes in the direction of the inside line was a head-scratching approach given the complete lack of joy it brought them.

A free from Mallow’s Seán McDonnell in first half stoppages had the interval scoreline reading 1-6 to 0-3, Valley Rovers left to rue three first half wides and three further efforts that dropped short.

The game as a contest was effectively over on 37 minutes when McDonnell, following a neat one-two between himself and John Browne, supplied Mallow’s second goal.

William Hurley’s point response for Valleys was their first score in 21 minutes. The Innishannon men were way off the pace on Saturday evening and fell 2-11 to 0-5 behind following four-in-a-row from Browne (free), Harkin, O’Sullivan, and McDonnell.

Browne, Harkin, and McDonnell comprised an inside line that contributed 1-9. But having conceded just three scores from play in total, Mallow’s defending was every bit as impressive as their shooting.

“It looks like they are actually enjoying defending, which is such an important thing now in the modern game,” Moynihan continued.

“It is not just about the back six, there is 12, 13 involved in defending these days. It is about getting fellas back into the right places and they are enjoying the turnovers as much as their scores.” Their enjoying winning in the top-flight too, clearly.

Scorers for Mallow: S McDonnell (1-3, 0-2 frees); K O’Sullivan (1-1); J Browne (0-2 frees), R Harkin (0-3 each); J Dillon (0-1).

Scorers for Valley Rovers: F Lynch (0-3, 0-2 frees); B Crowley (0-2, 0-2 frees); W Hurley, C McCarthy (0-1 each).

Mallow: K Doyle; P Lyons, S O’Callaghan, E Crone; S Copps, S Merritt, M Taylor; D Moynihan, E Stanton; K O’Sullivan, J Dillon, P Herlihy; J Browne, R Harkin, S McDonnell.

Subs: J Glynn for Herlihy (51); P Attridge for Browne (55); M Fitzpatrick for O’Sullivan, F Heffernan for Stanton (both 57).

Valley Rovers: C Desmond; D Muckian, J O’Driscoll, T O’Brien; J Kiely, D O’Shea, R O’Sullivan; D Murphy, W Hurley; E O’Reilly, K Canty, C McCarthy; B Crowley, E Delaney, F Lynch.

Subs: D Lynch for McCarthy (30); A Kenneally for Delaney (38); J Cottrell for Lynch (49).

Referee: P O’Leary (Kilmurry).