Premier SFC: Castlehaven power past Valley Rovers to seal knockout spot 

Castlehaven: 2-22 (2-0-22) 

Valley Rovers: 1-12 (1-2-8) 

The reigning champions Castlehaven are through to the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC following a comfortable win over Valley Rovers at Clonakilty on Saturday evening.

The three-in-a-row chasing Haven have now won their first two games in Group 1 showing different characteristics.

It was a super display here with the return of Brian Hurley following suspension buttressing the forward unit. He did go off injured though right at the very end, which could be a concern for them.

They led by 10 points at the interval and kept a sizable lead to win by 13 points in the end.

Seanie Cahalane's team can go into their final group game knowing the pressure will be off to a certain extent.

Their opponents in three weeks, Newcestown, have also now qualified for the business end.

Valley Rovers and Mallow are without any points as they face a huge game against each other next month.

It was a slow burner in this one with Valley Rovers very well structured in the first few minutes. A Fiachra Lynch free did get them up and running after five minutes, but once Robbie Minihane pointed for Castlehaven after six minutes, they hit their straps.

A Brian Hurley free and Mark Collins and Conor Cahalane efforts gave their side a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes.

Already, there was an air of predictability about the outcome. Even without the injured Michael Hurley, the Haven had no shortage of attacking power, Brian Hurley and Conor Cahalane tacked on quick-fire white flags with the latter’s effort could have easily been a goal.

It was all too easy for the West Cork team, a pair of Brian Hurley frees and a Mark Collins long range effort gave them a 0-9 to 0-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

The team in blue and white added five more points with Micheál Maguire’s effort the pick of them after a clever pass by his brother Rory Maguire.

Valley Rovers' first score in 25 minutes was badly needed when Adam Walsh-Murphy bisected the posts before they got a goal in added time. Fiachra Lynch’s effort for a point dropped short as the ball fell nicely for Jacob O’Driscoll who made no mistake.

Collins did get the last score of the half with a neat point, 0-15 to 1-2 at half-time.

Similar to the opening 30 minutes, Lynch slotted over a free for Valley Rovers, but any sustained comeback never looked on the cards.

Another Brian Hurley free and Collins’ fourth from wing-back gave Castlehaven an 11-point lead, 0-17 to 1-3.

In fairness to Valley Rovers, they were showing a bit more urgency and attacking intent with Adam Walsh-Murphy and Ciarán McCarthy adding points.

It was a brief spell for the beaten team, the Haven scored 2-2 without reply with the goals coming in the space of 55 seconds from Micheál Maguire and Jack Cahalane, 2-19 to 1-5 after 47 minutes.

The teams traded points as the game went into the final 10 minutes. Lynch, who was a bright spark for his team, did get a two-pointer from play as the Carrigdhoun side battled to the end despite the deficit.

Micheál Maguire tacked on another white flag before Valley Rovers netminder Billy Curtin did kick a brilliant two-point free, 2-21 to 1-10 with five minutes left.

The game got sloppy as Valley Rovers landed two of the last three points.

Scorers for Castlehaven: B Hurley 0-9 (0-8 f), M Collins 0-4, J Cahalane, R Minihane 1-1 each, M Maguire 0-3, C Cahalane 0-2, J O’Driscoll, Damien Cahalane 0-1 each.

Valley Rovers: F Lynch 0-5 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), J O’Driscoll 1-0, A Walsh-Murphy 0-3, B Curtin 0-2 (1 2pt f), J Cottrell (f), C McCarthy 0-1 each.

CASTLEHAVEN: Darragh Cahalane; J O’Regan, Damien Cahalane, S Walsh; J Walsh, R Minihane, M Collins; A Whelton, R Maguire; J O’Driscoll, J Cahalane, C Cahalane; C Maguire, M Maguire, B Hurley.

Subs: T O’Mahony for S Walsh (37), L McCarthy for J Walsh (42), S Browne for A Whelton (44 to f-t, temp), S Walsh for B Hurley (62, inj).

VALLEY ROVERS: B Curtin; M Woods, J O’Driscoll, D Muckian; A Walsh-Murphy, C Johnson, E Guinane; C O’Leary, D Murphy; J Kiely, E Delaney, R O’Sullivan; C McCarthy, F Lynch, S McEntee.

Subs: J Walsh for D Murphy, A Kenneally for E Delaney (both h-t), T McGrath for C Johnson (51), J Cottrell for J Kiely (58).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).