Cork footballer Jacob O'Driscoll rescues Valley Rovers in relegation battle against Carbery Rangers

Carbery Rangers: 1-9 (1-0-9) 

Valley Rovers: 1-9 (1-1-7) 

Valley Rovers fought back from seven points down to force a replay with Carbery Rangers after a tense McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC relegation play-off at Enniskeane on Saturday evening.

A draw looked very unlikely in truth, but a stirring comeback from the Carrigdhoun men ensured their top-flight status remains intact for another while.

Cork senior footballer Jacob O’Driscoll’s late goal means the teams must meet again in the coming weeks with a date for the replay to be confirmed shortly.

Carbery Rangers will be kicking themselves as to how the victory slipped from their fingers. 

Just 1-1 scored in the second 30 minutes. Their last score came after 43 minutes in what was a total malfunction in the final quarter from them albeit their opposition did show plenty of composure to eke out the necessary scores.

After the game finished in a wealth of excitement, it was a tame enough start. Cork U20 footballer Timmy Cullinane landed a pair of points inside four minutes which settled Carbery Rangers.

After a slow enough opening by Valley Rovers, they raised white flags from Adam Walsh-Murphy and a Ciarán McCarthy effort after great work by Johnnie Kiely.

Parity was short-lived for the Innishannon team. John O’Rourke, Paul Hodnett and Cullinane all bisected the posts as Carbery Rangers led 0-5 to 0-2 after 17 minutes.

The West Cork team were doing all the football, much more urgency and slickness.

John O’Rourke sent over a beauty, but to only be bettered by a pair of sublime Paul Hodnett efforts, 0-8 to 0-2. 

Valley Rovers brought out Fiachra Lynch from full-forward on occasions given their trouble in claiming sustained possession.

It did work at times, but they managed three wides in the opening half as they didn’t show enough attacking intent, 0-8 to 0-2 at half-time.

Whatever slight wind that was there, it was favouring Valley Rovers for the new half.

Patient play was rewarded for Denis Kiely’s charges when McCarthy kicked a two-pointer from play after sub Rory O’Sullivan did well to make it happen.

A potentially crucial moment arrived though after 38 minutes, Valley Rovers made a mistake coming out of defence and it was punished when John O’Rourke was fouled and a penalty was awarded.

Paul Hodnett saw his effort saved by Billy Curtin, but the ball fell nicely for the forward to tap home to the net, 1-8 to 0-4.

The teams traded points before a McCarthy effort did keep Valley Rovers just about in touch. 

They were showing more fight and adventure, points from Lynch and Adam Walsh-Murphy left their side 1-9 to 0-8 adrift with seven minutes remaining of normal time.

Another McCarthy white flag left three points in it before a goal in added time from O’Driscoll drew Valley’s level.

It was a lovely flick from close range after a gorgeous floating delivery sent into the square by Darragh Murphy.

There was still time for a hero. Carbery Rangers’ goalkeeper Paul Shanahan had a two-point effort from a free right at the death, but his effort tailed wide.

Both teams will have to meet again.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: P Hodnett 1-4, T Cullinane 0-3, J O’Rourke 0-2.

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

CARBERY RANGERS: P Shanahan; J Kevane, T O’Rourke, C Daly; S Linehan, J O’Riordan, J Hodnett; B Hodnett, J O’Brien; M Hodnett, J O'Rourke, P Hodnett; T Cullinane, D Hayes, C Twomey.

Subs: C McCarthy for J O’Riordan (43, inj), P O’Rourke for M Hodnett, C Santry for P Hodnett (both 52), B Shanahan for D Hayes (58).

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

Subs: R O’Sullivan for C Johnson (h-t), D Muckian for S McEntee (40), L Casey for J Kiely, A Casey for A Kenneally (both 55).

Referee: Robert Whelan (Gleann na Laoi).