Russell Rovers move on to East Cork showdown with St Catherine's

Russell Rovers 2-18 Milford 1-13 

RUSSELL Rovers were deserving winners over Milford in the Co-Op SuperStores Lower IHC quarter-final at Fermoy. 

Rovers were the sharper and fitter side and they led all through. 

John Paul Ivors placed Kevin Moynihan for the opening score. Rovers keeper Ross Walsh saved well from Anthony Watson. Josh Beausang followed with two points. 

Two points by Kieran Walsh had the Imokilly side 0-5 to 0-0 clear after 10 minutes. Anthony Watson opened Milford's account just before the break. Moynihan and Eoin Dillon (free) made it 0-6 to 0-2 by the water break.

On the resumption, Beausang was denied a good goal scoring chance by Michael Cremin. By the 24th minute, the winners led 0-8 to 0-2. Coming up to half time Brian Hartnett goaled. 

Dillon had two pointed frees before Beausang made it 1-9 to 0-4. 

Just before half time, Milford's key Eoin Dillon was red-carded. 

Deep in injury time good play by Mark Sheehy to Anthony Watson led to a foul that Brian Murphy converted but it was 1-10 to 0-5 at the break and it didn't look like there was a way back.

Milford, facing a daunting task in the second half, did well. 

The outstanding Watson had a point before Murphy followed with a free. 

Beausang then settled the favourites before the second goal by Hartnett. 

In the 39th minute, Watson worked well for Sean O'Connell who goaled cutting the lead to seven points: 2-12 to 1-8. 

The winners led 2-14 to 1-10 at the second water break. Watson and Luke Duggan-Murray swapped a point with Cillian O'Gorman landing a long-range free for Milford. 

Scorers for Russell Rovers: J Beausang 0-10 (0-6 f), B Hartnett 2-1, K Moynihan 0-3, K Walsh 0-2, L Duggan-Murray, J Scannell 0-1 each.

Milford: A Watson 0-5, B Murphy 0-4 f, E Dillon 0-3 f, S O'Connell 1-0, C O'Gorman 0-1 f.

RUSSELL ROVERS: R Walsh, K O'Brien, P Lane, E O'Sullivan, J P Ivors, J Kennefick, C Ruddy, K Tattan, K Walsh, J McGrath, K Moynihan, L Duggan-Murray, D Ruddy, B Hartnett, J Beausang. 

Subs: P Cummins for E O'Sullivan, D Moynihan for J McGrath (blood), J McGrath for D Moynihan, J Scannell for J P Ivors, D Moynihan for L Duggan-Murray (inj). 

MILFORD: M Cremin, G O'Mahony, P Watson, R O'Gorman, T O'Flynn, C O'Gorman, W Dillon, D Hayes-Daly, M Sheehy, M O'Flynn, E Dillon, S O'Connell, K O'Flynn, A Watson, B Murphy. 

Sub: B Villiers for D Hayes-Daly.

Referee: Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).