Dungourney grab PIHC semi spot by beating rivals Lisgoold as Jack Leahy and Diarmuid Healy shine
Jack Leahy, Dungourney, is tackled by defender Izaak Walsh, Lisgoold. Picture: Larry Cummins
A stunning second-half comeback by Dungourney saw a 1-13 to 0-11 deficit turn into a victory over rivals Lisgoold at Castlelyons in a thrilling encounter in the Co-Op Superstores PIHC, with Jack Leahy on top form.
The result means that Dungourney will finish top of Group 3 with maximum points, the only club in the PIHC to remain undefeated and straight to a semi-final where they'll face the winner of Carrigaline-Ballincollig.
The game got off to a fast start with Cork senior Diarmuid Healy firing over after two minutes; Leahy converted a close-in free in response. Kieran Cashman put Lisgoold back in front but Niall McGrath's reply drew the sides level for a second time 0-2 apiece after five minutes.
The sides again traded points before Lisgoold started to put a gap between them and Dungourney points from Healy (2), Liam O'Shea, John Cashman and Cathal Hickey opened up a 0-8 to 0-3 advantage. Leahy's reply put a halt to the Lisgoold onslaught.
Lisgoold upped the gears again with 1-1 without reply, the goal coming from Healy after he was played through by Hickey. But Dungourney hit back within three unanswered points to make it 1-9 to 0-7 with half-time looming.
The remainder of the half saw both sides slot over four points each, so Lisgoold who had to win to qualify, up 1-13 to 0-11 at the break.
Dungourney reemerged in determined fashion as they outscored Lisgoold 0-4 to 0-2. The margin then became one when Niall Mothetherway and Leahy combined for white flags. Liam O'Shea's reply kept Lisgoold's lead intact, 1-16 to 0-17, after 37 minutes.
Shane Hegarty responded with the next score after a tense period before Cian O'Callaghan split the posts, 0-19 to 1-16, heading into the last quarter.
That period was frantic with the lead changing on three occasions, but Dungourney stood strong as they pulled away to record a memorable victory.
Dungourney manager Martin Hennesy was thrilled with his players.
"Absolutely delighted with our second-half performance. Our backs were against the wall but in fairness to Lisgoold, they really put it up to us. We had a lot of questions to ask at half time but absolutely thrilled with how our lads responded."
J Leahy 0-11 (0-4 f), M Leahy, S Hegarty 0-4 each, J Ahern 0-3, C O'Callaghan, C Murphy 0-2 each, N McGrath, N Motherway 0-1 each.
D Helay 1-7, L O'Shea 0-7 (0-3 f), J Cashman, C Hickey, M Hegarty 0-2 each, K Cashman 0-1.
P Flynn; J McCarthy, M Leahy, D Healy; R Harney, J Griffin, M McGrath; S Hegarty, C Murphy; N McGrath, J Leahy, B Forbes; N Motherway, J Ahern, C O'Callaghan.
B Flynn for R Harney.
C Cronin; J Hegarty, C Cashman, C Scannell; K Cashman, I Walsh, J Cronin; M Hegarty, J O'Leary; L Walsh, D Healy, C Hickey; J O'Driscoll, J Cashman, L O'Shea.
E Holden for K Cashman (temp), P Fitzpatrick for L Walsh.
Pa O'Driscoll (Bride Rovers).
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