PIHC: Kilworth's blistering first half enough to beat Valley Rovers

Kilworth 1-22 Valley Rovers 3-12 

KILWORTH'S impressive first half display was enough to get them over the line against Valley Rovers on Sunday in Caherlag and into the Premier Intermediate HC semi-final.

Kilworth were outstanding in the first half and were ahead by 12 at the break. Despite a late charge from the Inishannon club that saw them hit two goals late on through Colm Butler and Kevin Canty, Kilworth held out in the end and won by four points.

The Avondhu side have impressed so far in the campaign but will need to do better in the last 10-15 minutes of games if they are to beat Ballincollig.

Kilworth started strongly, hitting the first three scores in two minutes from Jamie and Michael Sheehan, as well as Noel McNamara.

Adam Kenneally replied in style for Valleys, as he controlled the sliotar excellently before taking a shot from range. The ball looked as though it would drop short of the goal, and Charlie Lyons leapt high, attempting to knock it into the back of the net.

His presence was enough to put off Kilworth keeper Killian Heggtviet, and it dropped into the net to undo Kilworth’s promising start.

Valleys couldn’t get firing even after the goal, and Kilworth pointed twice more through Michael Sheehan and Eoin Carey.

Rovers got their first point of the game when Shane O’Leary hit one over after seven minutes, but Kilworth were unstoppable, and fired a staggering seven scores without reply.

The Avondhu side continued their strong start with the likes of Michael Sheehan and Noel McNamara standing out among the forwards, while midfielder Eoin Carey was easily the best player on the pitch.

They now led 0-13 to 1-2, until Eoin Guinnane got one back for the Inishannon outfit.

When Valleys did finally reply, Kilworth hit 1-2 back, with Cormac Donnellan’s goal striking the post on the way in – a just reward for their incredible first half shift.

Colm Butler’s free saw Valley’s get just their fourth point of the game, but another great score from Carey meant Kilworth were 1-16 to 1-4 ahead at the break, and they were full value for their first half, hitting 16/18 attempts between the posts, while Valleys had a contrasting six wides.

Kilworth weren’t just impressive going forward, they were impenetrable at the back with Kieran Lane standing out, and he began the second half with a superb block.

Rovers hit the first score of the second period as Canty pointed, but the combination of Carey and McNamara popped up again for the reply.

Valleys did improve, hitting four without reply as Kenneally, and Cobh Ramblers’ centre-half Lyons both pointed from play, while Butler sent two frees between the posts to reduce the gap to eight with 20 minutes to go.

Rovers certainly raised the tempo in the second half, but Kilworth remained tight at the back, and seemingly whenever Valley’s put one over, Kilworth went down the other end and hit one back.

The pace of the game slowed for a period of 15 minutes, as the teams hit just three points each between minutes 40 and 55. Valleys fought desperately to create a goalscoring opportunity, but Kilworth wouldn’t budge.

However, Rovers made a late push as Canty pounced on a mistake from Heggtviet, getting a goal with only a minute of regular time to go.

Butler struck one low from 25 metres out, making it difficult for Heggtviet, who conceded a third goal.

With Valleys now just three behind, they made a late charge for the win, but an excellent long-distance score from Eoin Carey ensured Kilworth went through.

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

Valley Rovers: C Butler 1-6 (0-6 f), K Canty 1-2, A Kenneally 1-1, S O’Leary, E Guinnane, 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, C Donnellan, N McNamara; M Sheehan, W Condon, B Sheehan.

Subs: L Coffey for Donnellan (h-t), R Jordan for Saich (44 inj), P Riordan for 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: D O’Shea for Desmond, J Cottrell for Savic (both h-t), J Kenneally for O’Leary (37) E O’Shea for Lyons (52).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue)