First-half blitz powers Kilworth into semis

Kilworth avenged the quarter-final defeat by Valley Rovers two years ago

Kilworth's Michael Sheehan clashes with William Hurley and Shane O'Leary of Valley Rovers during the Co Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final match in Caherlag. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Cork Premier IHC quarter-final: Kilworth 1-22 Valley Rovers 3-12 

An awesome first half from Kilworth, after which they led by 12 points, helped them defeat Valley Rovers in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier IHC quarter-final at Caherlag on Sunday. Revenge also for two years ago, when they lost out to them at this juncture by a couple of points.

This latest victory comes after they finished the group stage in a blaze of glory against Ballinhassig. They can now look ahead to a last four meeting with Ballincollig, their first semi-final appearance since 2019.

“That first half is the best performance I’ve seen since my three years involved with Kilworth,” manager Pat O’Brien said. “We knew the big open pitch would suit us. Valleys were always going to fight back. They got a couple of goals at the end, but look Killian (Heggtviet) is doing well for us all year.” 

Valley Rovers, who topped their group, tried to make a game of it with late goals, but the match as a contest was over at this stage.

The score-taking from Kilworth was rampant. They struck 13 points in a wind-assisted first 20 minutes - 10 from play. An Adam Kenneally goal in the third minute kept Valleys in touch. But there was no stopping the north Cork men.

By the interval, they had seven different scorers, including five from stalwart Noel McNamara (finished with seven).

There were contributions from everywhere, but none more so than Eoin Carey who started at centre-field, but he must have covered every blade of grass on the Erin’s Own pitch. Throw five glorious points into the mix as well.

Cormac Donnellan’s goal from a tight angle in the 25th minute was the cherry on top, 1-16 to 1-4.

Valley Rovers did improve in the second half and they got to within three points courtesy of Kevin Canty and Colm Butler goals in the 59th and 60th minute. Prior to that, the margin drifted between eight and nine points.

The strength of Kieran Lane at full-back was a huge factor in keeping them out.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to be in the semi-final when the draw was made. We will knuckle down again on Tuesday. Last year we were finished hurling at this time,” added O’Brien.

The other semi-final involves Castlelyons and Castlemartyr.

Scorers for Kilworth: Noel McNamara (0-7), M Sheehan (0-6, 0-5 frees), E Carey (0-5), C Donnellan (1-1), B Sheehan, J Sheehan and W Condon (0-1 each).

Scorers for Valley Rovers: C Butler (1-6, 0-6 frees), K Canty (1-2), A Kenneally (1-1), S O’Leary, E Guinnane and C Lyons (0-1 each).

KILWORTH: K Heggtviet; L Carey, K Lane, A O’Hara; J Saich, D Twomey, M Gowen; L Whelan, E Carey; J Sheehan, N McNamara, W Condon; M Sheehan, C Donnellan, B Sheehan.

Subs: L Coffey for C Donnellan (half-time), R Jordan for J Saich (44 inj), P Riordan for W Condon (52).

VALLEY ROVERS: J Lynch; J O’Driscoll, C Desmond, E Delaney; D Murphy, T O’Brien, W Hurley; E Guinnane, R O’Sullivan; C Butler, A Kenneally, S O’Leary; K Canty, M Savic, C Lyons.

Subs: J Cottrell for M Savic, D O’Shea for C Desmond (both half-time), J Kenneally for S O’Leary (37), E O’Shea for C Lyons (52).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue).