Killeagh pull clear of Valley Rovers in second half to book Cork JAHC final berth

Killeagh’s Alex Fogarty shoots for a point. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Cork JAHC semi-final: Killeagh 2-20 Valley Rovers 2-11 

Killeagh’s Cork Junior A Hurling Championship campaign rolls on to the final, as the East Cork champions pulled nine clear of Valley Rovers in Midleton after an eventful opening quarter.

After conceding two fortuitous goals in the span of a minute, Killeagh recovered from their shaky start with a couple of their own green flags to lead by six at the break, having played against the wind.

On the restart – while Valley Rovers did well to stick with their opponents – Killeagh had the greater attacking threat and with the aid of the breeze, had increased their lead out to nine with 20 minutes to go. The closest Valleys would get in the closing 20-minute period was seven points.

The first half brought all the drama. Killeagh went two points in front early, but Valleys received a gift in the sixth minute when David Lynch worked it to Cormac Kilduff, and though his point attempt dropped short, Killeagh goalkeeper Philip O’Neill uncharacteristically dropped it to the net.

Not even a minute later Valleys found the net again, this time as Seán O’Regan sent in a long-range free, and it bounced awkwardly in front of O’Neill and into the net.

Valleys’ led 2-0 to 0-2 after six minutes, but that was as good as it would get for the Innishannon outfit. Killeagh reeled off 2-2 without reply, and would not be caught from there.

The first goal came with a little fortune, a Ben Geary free tailed wide and short, dropping awkwardly and landing perfectly for Richie Long, who immediately pulled to the net, cutting the margin to one with eight played.

Geary levelled with his next free, before they found another major in the 11th minute, this time as Geary offloaded to Richie Long, who popped a low through pass for Cormac Deane. The Cork U20 gathered possession, lined it up, and buried the sliotar across goal.

When Geary tacked on another free they had moved four clear, only six minutes after trailing by four, and while Valleys had the margin at two at the end of the first quarter, they would get no closer.

Killeagh forced ahead with five of the next six points, Deane and Sean Walsh heavily involved while Andrew Leahy registered a couple of assists.

In the second half, Eoghan Galgey nailed the opening free but Killeagh would reply with a further four unanswered, Andrew Leahy and Walsh both on target again, while Geary added a couple of frees.

The intensity dropped from there, though Killeagh did enough to ensure they were never dragged into a late battle. Valleys fought hard, with David Lynch particularly impressive in defence, but they lacked a goal threat for too much of the game.

With the calibre of minors and players with senior experience at Killeagh’s disposal, they were just that bit ahead, and they’ll feel the margin should have been greater.

Scorers for Killeagh: B Geary (0-10, 0-9 f), C Deane (1-3), R Long (1-0), S Walsh (0-3), A Leahy (0-2), Colm Leahy, D Motherway (0-1 each).

Scorers for Valley Rovers: E Galgey (0-5 f), S O’Regan (1-0 f), C Kilduff (1-0 each), C Taheny (0-3), E O’Reilly (0-2), D O’Shea (0-1).

KILLEAGH: P O’Neill; K Kelly-Budds, R Treacy, Ciaran Leahy; J O’Rourke, J Coleman, A Brenner; M Fitzgerald, S Walsh; M Murphy, C Deane, A Leahy; R Long, Colm Leahy, B Geary.

Subs: J Ogbebor for M Fitzgerald (38), S Meade for Long (45), D Motherway for Murphy (47), C Brennan for A Leahy (54), G Leahy for Walsh (60+1).

VALLEY ROVERS: J Lynch; N Daly, C O’Sullivan, E Duarte; S O’Regan, D Lynch, E Delaney; C Kilduff, D O’Shea; E O’Reilly, K Dart O’Flynn, D Carthew; C McCarthy, C Taheny, E Galgey.

Subs: D Brady for O’Regan (40), A Slattery for Carthew (47), A Casey for McCarthy (57).

Referee: R King (Kilbrin).