Ballymartle finish the stronger against Valley Rovers to win the Red FM Division three hurling league title
Ballymartle Captain Darren McCarthy with the trophy after his side defeated Valley Rovers in the RedFm Division 3 hurling league final at Ballygarvan, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan
Ballymartle 2-20
Valley Rovers 1-19
Neither team led by more than three points in the second half, until added time when two scores from Ballymartle ensured they came away victorious in the RedFM Division 3 Hurling League Final against Valley Rovers in Ballygarvan on Sunday afternoon.
The defeat marks two consecutive league final defeats for Valley Rovers, but yet another promotion under their belt, as they’ll compete in Division 2 for 2025.
Neck and neck throughout the entire 60 minutes, Valley Rovers changed the game in the 54th minute, as O’Reilly made a superb solo run before burying it from close range, leaving just two points in it.
The goal was little more than yet another swing to the scoreline, as Ballymartle would not concede fought back and got their second goal two minutes later, courtesy of substitute Brian Corry, who made a significant impact after coming on.
Only a two point gap once again.
The closing stages saw Darren McCarthy send over his seventh free, though Evan O’Shea pegged them back with a minute plus added time remaining.
Scores from Niall Crowley, McCarthy and Higgins ensured Ballymartle ran out four point winners, but they had to work exceptionally hard for it.
They made a good impression from the start, as Ryan Deasy set up Luke O’Callaghan as the Ballymartle corner-forward pointed under pressure, before Deasy won a free that was converted by goalkeeper Daniel O’Leary.
Valleys responded from an Eoin Guinane free, but Ballymartle hit back through Darren McCarthy from a placed ball.
The teams thrice traded scores with Ballymartle leading 0-6 to 0-4 after 14 minutes of play.
Valleys closed the gap to a score once again as Adam Kennedy played a one-two with Brian McCarthy to create space before popping it over the bar, with the teams locked in battle.
The Innishannon outfit thought they had a goal when Guinane dropped it into Cormac Desmond, who knocked it into the back of the net but he was deemed to be in the square.
It was a wakeup call for Ballymartle, as Fionn Desmond played it back to Deasy, who went long to John McCarthy.
The wing-forward picked O’Callaghan, and he played it across to Cillian Lordan. The full-forward missed his first strike but managed to pull on the rebound, getting the first goal in the 20th minute after a brilliantly worked goal.
Ballymartle goalkeeper O’Leary struck over his third free, while Valley’s responded through Brian McCarthy to keep the margin at two as the referee blew for half-time.
Valleys struck first in the latter half, as Rory O’Sullivan split the posts. He then set up Brian McCarthy for the equaliser, 0-11 to 1-8 after 35 minutes.
An Eoin O’Reilly score gave Rovers the lead for the first time after 37 minutes, but it was short lived as Darren McCarthy converted twice from frees, and set up Lordan for his second point from play.
O’Reilly and a quick fire double from substitute Jonathan Kenneally put Valleys in front once more, but such was the closeness of this final, Ballymartle had re-established a three point advantage the lead after five minutes.
Butler’s free gave Valleys their first score in over six minutes, and Adam Kenneally raised another white flag – 1-15 to 0-17 in favour Ballymartle.
Rovers’ goal certainly changed the outlook of the game, but Ballymartle held their nerve, and outscored 1-5 to 0-1 in the remaining seven minutes to take the title.
Scorers for Ballymartle: D McCarthy 0-8 f, C Lordan 1-2, B Corry 1-1, D O’Leary 0-3 f, L O’Callaghan 0-2, S Cummins, J McCarthy, M Higgins, N Crowley 0-1 each.
Valley Rovers: E O’Reilly 1-2, C Butler 0-4 f, A Kennedy 0-3, R O’Sullivan, E O’Shea (f), B McCarthy, J Kenneally 0-2 each, E Guinane (f), J Cottrell 0-1 each.
BALLYMARTLE: D O’Leary; R Stewart, TJ Murphy, P Dorney; R Deasy, J Dwyer, S Corry; F Desmond, S Dorney; S Cummins, R Cahalane, J McCarthy; D McCarthy, C Lordan, L O’Callaghan.
Subs: N Crowley for Cahalane (16, inj), B Corry for Lordan (45), M Higgins for Cummins (58).
VALLEY ROVERS: J Lynch; D Lynch, D Murphy, M Woods; C Johnson, W Hurley, E Guinane; B McCarthy, A Kennedy; C Butler, C Desmond, J Cottrell; R O’Sullivan, E O’Shea, E O’Reilly.
Subs: J Kenneally for Desmond (HT), S McAntee for Butler (52).
Referee: Brian Murphy (Carrigtwohill).
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