Shane Carey grabs crucial goal as Ilen Rovers' win over Mitchelstown secures IAFC semi spot

Ilen Rovers 2-12 (2-2-8) Mitchelstown 1-10 (1-0-10) 

Ilen Rovers are through to the semi-finals of the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC following a nail-biting victory over Mitchelstown at Newcestown on Saturday afternoon.

The Carbery side will face Adrigole next as they bounce back at the first attempt following their relegation from the Premier Intermediate grade.

Ilen Rovers had to do it the hard way as they saw a 1-8 to 0-4 lead at the start of the second half evaporate with a Mark Keane goal in the 48th minute.

Shane Carey came off the bench and hit the back of the net from a similar position, which pushed the Carbery side ahead at 2-11 to 1-9 late on.

There was still time on the clock for Mitchelstown and a late rescue mission was thwarted by Damien O’Sullivan diving low to stop a goal-bound shot from Cathail O’Mahony in the dying seconds.

There was always going to be a big finish, as the game started at a furious pace with the north Cork side soaring into a 0-3 to no score lead. Ilen Rovers’ first real advance ended with a penalty in the 5th minute and Luke Hannah denied Dan MacEoin.

Two-pointers from Micheal Sheehy and Adrian O’Driscoll opened their account and MacEoin added to this run.

Barry Collins then goaled and Ilen led 1-5 to 0-4, with Sean Connolly hitting a brace before the break to make it 1-7 to 0-4. They would have been further in front if not for five first-half wides, all from scoring positions.

Mitchelstown rallied after the restart with James Sheehan and Sean Walsh knocking two off their lead.

O’Mahony also set up Mark Keane for an attempt at goal and this was well stopped by Daniel O’Sullivan in the 45th minute.

Mitchelstown eventually raised a green flag, through an attempted two-pointer by Joe O’Sullivan. The ball dropped onto the square which allowed Mark Keane to punch it in: 1-9 apiece.

Adrian O’Driscoll responded for Ilen Rovers and Carey got his goal shortly after in the 57th minute. The insurance scores came from Connolly and Alan Holland on the counter as Mitchelstown had pushed for a second goal.

Scorers for Ilen Rovers: B Collins, S Carey 1-0 each, A O’Driscoll (1 2p f), M Sheehy 0-3 (1 2pt), S Connolly 0-3 each, D Mac Eoin 0-2, A Holland 0-1.

Mitchelstown: M Keane 1-1 (0-1 f), C O’Mahony 0-3 f, J Sheehan 0-2; K Roche, S Walsh, P Magee, C Walsh 0-1 each.

ILEN ROVERS: D O’Sullivan; D Coakley, J Collins, C O’Dwyer; A O’Sullivan, J Hickey, D O’Driscoll; D Hegarty, P O’Driscoll; B Collins, S Connolly, A O’Driscoll; D MacEoin, M Sheehy, S Minihane.

Subs: A Holland for MacEoin (40); S Carey for O’Driscoll (51), E Hourihane for Connolly (60).

MITCHELSTOWN: L Hannah; L Keane, F Herlihy, L Finn; D Flynn, K Roche, C Keane Hyland; S Walsh, S Beston; P Magee, C O’Mahony, S O’Sullivan; M Walsh, J Sheehan, J Cott.

Subs: M Keane for M Walsh (13); C Walsh for O’Sullivan (34), J O’Sullivan for Cott (34), C English for Sheehan (54).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).