Patrick Horgan hits 2-9 as Glen Rovers overcome tough Castlelyons test

The Blackpool side are one game away from an immediate promotion to the top tier.

Sun, 06 Oct, 2024 - 20:29

Therese O’Callaghan

Glen Rovers 3-16 Castlelyons 1-16

Glen Rovers are an hour away from regaining their top-tier status after getting past a tough encounter with Castlelyons in the Co-Op Superstores Cork senior AHC semi-final at a misty SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday evening.

The Blackpool club, who were relegated in 2023 after 97 years in the top grade, came into this tie as favourites and progressed straight to the last four. This game also marked the return of Patrick Horgan, who having not played since Cork’s All-Ireland final defeat in July, made his first competitive start for Glen Rovers and he announced his arrival with 2-9 - 2-5 in the first half alone.

Credit to tenacious Castlelyons though. They took the lead with nine minutes remaining,1-16 to 2-12, but after the Glen’s Eoin O’Leary netted, it put daylight between the sides, and they added four unanswered points.

The east Cork club were promoted to senior A in 2023, however losing full-back Colm Barry - already wearing a heavily strapped knee - who limped off injured after a mere 12 minutes and then Niall O’Leary, who took a heavy hit from Robert Downey 11 minutes later, was a blow to their chances.

Horgan got the Glen up and running, his first major arrived in the 12th minute after defender David Dooling sent in a long delivery, and Hoggie finished the sliotar to an empty net.

His second goal came four minutes later from the penalty spot, the number 14 fired a bullet after Eoin O'Leary was brought down.

It put the Glen in the driving seat 2-9 to 1-8 at the break, despite hitting double as many wides as their opponents.

Yet, they were finding it difficult to shake off a determined Castlelyons, who actually took the lead when Anthony Spillane raised the first green flag of the match in the ninth minute, the full forward doubled to the net after Cathal Hickey had made an initial save.

The second half began with Castlelyons talisman Alan Fenton reducing the deficit, and there was a super score from James Kearney after he ran down the middle, the gap down to three at the end of the third quarter, 2-12 to 1-12.

A run of four points from Castlelyons saw them dominate and ultimately overtake the Glen. And they had a great chance of a goal but David Morrison’s effort didn’t oblige.

Instead it was Glen Rovers - who will have to brush up on their shooting - that saw it out with O’Leary’s goal, after he linked up with Liam Coughlan and Dean Brosnan, putting them through.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: P Horgan (2-9, 1-0 pen, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65), E O’Leary (1-1), D Brosnan (0-2), B Moylan, R Dunne, M Dooley and S Kennefick (0-1 each).

Scorers for Castlelyons: A Fenton (0-9, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), A Spillane (1-3), C Spillane, J Kearney, C McCarthy and L Doocey (0-1 each).

GLEN ROVERS: C Hickey; A Lynch, E Varian, L Coughlan; B Moylan, R Downey, D Dooling; E Downey, R Dunne; M Dooley, D Brosnan (Capt), L Horgan; E O’Leary, P Horgan, S Kennefick.

Subs: S Lynam for M Dooley, D Noonan for L Horgan (both 40).

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; O Hallihan, C Barry, L Sexton; A O’Sullivan, N O’Leary, C Spillane (Capt); A Fenton, J Kearney; E Maye, L Doocey, K O’Leary; B Murphy, A Spillane, D Morrison.

Subs: D Spillane for C Barry (12 inj), J O’Leary for N O’Leary (28 inj), C McCarthy for B Murphy (36), B Spillane for K O’Leary (57).

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).