SHC: Bride Rovers move through and condemn Kilworth to relegation play-off

Bride Rovers 0-16 Kilworth 0-14

BRIDE Rovers have qualified for the knock out stages of the Co-Op Superstores SAHC after a hard-earned win over local rivals Kilworth that was in the balance right up to the final whistle.

The Rathcormack side will now play Newcestown in the quarter-final, while Kilworth will face Killeagh in a relegation play-off.

It was a great defensive performance by the Rovers where Tadgh O’Sullivan, Brian Murphy and Eoin Roche were outstanding.

The sides were level on five occasions but once Bride Rovers edged three points ahead with five minutes remaining they withstood a late Kilworth rally.

Kilworth opened the scoring with a pointed free from Noel McNamara after four minutes but the Rathcormack side hit five unanswered points in the next 10 minutes with Paddy O’Flynn, Cian O’Connor, Brian Roche, Ryan Prendergast and William Finnegan all finding the target.

But they were to go the next sixteen minutes without a score as Kilworth got themselves back in the game.

Fouling was to cost the Imokilly side dearly as McNamara converted four free and one from play. Goalkeeper Kieran Walsh landed a magnificent free from deep inside his own half.

Jamie Sheehan pointed from play to give Kilworth a three-point lead before O’Connor ended Bride Rovers' drought with a point on the stroke of half time as Kilworth led 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.

Bride Rovers upped the ante with three points from Finnegan and one by Daniel Dooley to lead by one at the end of the third quarter.

Two frees from McNamara restored Kilworth’s lead but sensing an upset, Bride Rovers took control and three points from Finnegan and one each by Jason Mannix and Eoin Roche had the Rathcormack side three ahead entering the final stages.

Kilworth reduced the deficit to a point before Finnegan’s sixth free decided it.

Scorers for Bride Rovers: W Finnegan 0-8 (0-6 f), C O’Connor 0-2, D Dooley, J Mannix, E Roche, R Prendergast, P O’Flynn, B Roche 0-1 each.

Kilworth: N McNamara 0-10 (0-9 f), K Walsh 0-1f, J Sheehan, B Sheehan, L Whelan 0-1 each.

BRIDE ROVERS: C Hogan; J Pratt, B Murphy, T O’Sullivan; S O’Connor, E Roche, S Walsh; D Dooley, K Kearney; W Finnegan, R Prendergast, P O’Flynn; M Collins, C O’Connor, B Roche.

Subs: Jason Mannix for Collins (8 inj), M Quinn for Pratt (41 inj), DJ Cahill for S O’Connor (44 inj), C Barry for O’Flynn (56).

KILWORTH: K Walsh; M McNamara, N Byrne, A O’Hara; D Twomey, E McGrath, T Twomey; J McCarthy, J Saich; E Carey, L Whelan, W Condon; J Sheehan, N McNamara, B Sheehan.

Sub: M Sheehan for Twomey (41).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).