Strong finish gives Newcestown victory over Valley Rovers
Newcestown's Micheál McSweeney tries to get past Fiachra Lynch of Valley Rovers during Saturday's McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC clash at Kilmurry. Picture: David Keane
A late surge from Newcestown gave them the spoils in Saturday evening’s McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC local derby against Valley Rovers at Kilmurry.
Leading by seven points, 1-9 to 0-5, at half-time after playing with the wind, the Carbery side saw that advantage whittled down to a single point as their Innishannon opponents reeled off a series of two-point scores.
When Fiachra Lynch brought his account to 0-6 for the evening in the 52nd minute, it was 1-14 to 0-16 and all the momentum was with the Rovers, but they were not to add to their scoring output.
Instead, Newcestown’s Richard O’Sullivan’s strong run was ended illegally and primary marksman David Buckley landed a two-point free to increase the margin to a goal again. Then, his tally matched the number 12 on his back when he sent over another, brought forward for dissent.
In the four minutes of injury time, Newcestown managed the remainder well and subs Cárthach Keane and Jack Made finished periods of ball-retention with points to leave six between the sides at the end.
In a group also featuring county champions Castlehaven and last year’s semi-finalists Mallow, the two points here were always going to be targeted and Newcestown laid the foundations as they adjusted well to the first-half breeze behind them.
While Lynch opened the scoring for Valleys in the first minute but their advantage was a brief one and wouldn’t be repeated. Enjoying supremacy at midfield, Newcestown soon claimed the upper hand.
Tadhg Twomey, not far short of his 42nd birthday, set the tempo from centre-forward and it was he who rounded off a good move to make it 0-3 to 0-1 on 11 minutes.
While Lynch replied to that with a point, Newcestown further solidified their lead as Luke Meade and David Buckley linked with Séamus O’Sullivan and, though goalkeeper Billy Curtin got a touch on the latter’s shot as he narrowed the angle, he couldn’t keep it out.
Newcestown almost added another goal immediately after that, with Eoghan Collins firing just over, but their flow was barely affected and Buckley’s free made it 1-5 to 0-2 in the 17th minute.
Another Buckley effort that dropped short was almost spilled in to the net by Curtin while Séamus O’Sullivan went close again coming up to half-time, though at the other end Lynch almost diverted a William Hurley delivery beyond Chris White.
Newcestown’s half-time advantage was extended as Richard O’Sullivan pointed but a massive Chris O’Leary effort from well outside the 45m line brough Valleys back to within six and Johnnie Kiely almost created a goal opening in the wake of that, denied by good defending from centre-back Micheál McSweeney, who was superb throughout.
On the three-quarter mark, another Buckley free, in response to a two-pointer from Valleys sub Seán McEntee, left it 1-14 to 0-10 but that deficit was soon eroded.
David Muckian’s point was followed by a lovely two-pointer from the outside of Lynch’s boot before O’Sullivan also raised an orange flag. Lynch was then on hand to make it 1-14 to 0-16, but Newcestown produced a stout response to ensure they stayed on top.
D Buckley 0-12 (3 2ptf, 0-3 f, 1 2pt), S O’Sullivan 1-1, R O’Sullivan, T Twomey, S O’Donovan, E Collins, C Keane, J Meade 0-1 each.
F Lynch 0-6 (1 2pt, 0-2 f), R O’Sullivan 0-3 (1 pt), C O’Leary, S McEntee 0-2 (1 pt) each, A Walsh Murphy, W Hurley, D Muckian 0-1 each.
C White: P Kelly, C O'Donovan, N Murray; G O’Donovan, M McSweeney, C Dinneen; S O’Donovan, E Collins; L Meade, T Twomey, D Buckley; N Kelly, S O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan.
D McAree for Twomey (44), C Keane for Dinneen (48-51, temporary), Keane for Murray (51).
B Curtin; C O’Keeffe, E Delaney, D Muckian; A Walsh Murphy, J O’Driscoll, M Woods; C O’Leary, D Murphy; J Kiely, R O’Sullivan, W Hurley; A Kenneally, F Lynch, E Guinane.
J Walsh for Kenneally (half-time), S McEntee for Guinane (39), C Johnson for Woods (43), J Cottrell for Kiely (48), T McGrath for O’Keeffe (59, injured).
J Ryan (Macroom).
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