Premier SFC: Eoin Guinane the hero as Valley Rovers edge derby thriller against Newcestown
Eoin Guinane makes a pass for Valley Rovers against Newcestown. Picture: Larry Cummins
Eoin Guinane was the match-winner for Valley Rovers as they edged out neighbours Newcestown in a gripping McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC Group 2 Round 2 tie at Coachford on Saturday evening.
It was a real statement victory for the team in green and white, considering they ended up in the relegation play-off last year while their opposition reached the semi-final stage.
But this was no fluke from Valley Rovers. They showed great character to recover from conceding three goals and had the quality and composure to beat a seasoned Newcestown outfit.
The eventual winners trailed by four points after 45 minutes, but through a combination of two-pointers and sheer grit, they reeled in their rivals, with Guinane showing steel to point the decisive score.
Valley Rovers had Cork footballer Jacob O’Driscoll back from abroad, and his calmness in midfield played a huge role in this win. Four points from two games puts Valley Rovers in a strong position to qualify.
Newcestown never showed the same quality that was evident in their eye-catching win over Nemo Rangers three weeks ago. They were over-reliant on Cork footballer David Buckley, though it must be said that key forward Seamus O’Sullivan was a loss due to injury.
Newcestown couldn’t have wished for a better start. They goaled after three minutes following a long passage of play, the ball ending up in the hands of Jack Meade who simply couldn’t miss.
Valley Rovers’ response was immediate, with points from Guinane and player-coach Fiachra Lynch. The sides traded points before Jack Walsh drew Valley Rovers level, 0-4 to 1-1 after 12 minutes.
Valley Rovers were on top, with the tall Chris O’Leary causing problems around the square. But they suffered a sucker punch when Niall Kelly made full use of Valleys' failure to clear their lines as he finished to the net, 2-1 to 0-4 after 15 minutes.
Again, Valleys responded well, kicking two of the next four points, with Buckley getting Newcestown’s scores. An outrageous two-pointer from Lynch left his team a point behind, 2-3 to 0-8 with nine minutes to the break.
The sides traded points until Valley Rovers, who were the better team, got a great goal before the short whistle. Shane Ryan finished after defender Cian O’Keeffe started the move, leaving it 1-9 to 2-4 at half-time.
Newcestown were level a minute into the new half when Buckley slotted over a two-point free. Another Adam Walsh-Murphy free restored Valley Rovers’ advantage, but there was more urgency about Newcestown in this half, led by sub Humphrey Canty.
A fisted Eoghan Collins effort levelled matters, 2-7 to 1-10 after 39 minutes, followed by another Buckley two-point free. William Hurley cut the gap to one, but Newcestown got their third goal 15 minutes from time. The ball fell nicely for Luke Meade, who calmly finished to the net, 3-9 to 1-11.
An O’Driscoll orange flag made things interesting with just two in it. It was level when Lynch converted a two-point free from a difficult angle with seven minutes to play.
It was anyone’s game entering the closing stages. But Valley Rovers stepped up, with Guinane bisecting the posts a minute into added time. A derby win and a statement result all in one for Valley Rovers.
F Lynch 0-5 (1 2pt f, 1 2pt), S Ryan 1-1, A Walsh-Murphy 0-3 (0-3 f), E Guinane, J O’Driscoll (1 2pt), J Walsh 0-2 each, W Hurley 0-1.
D Buckley 0-7 (2 2pt f), J Meade 1-1, N Kelly, L Meade 1-0 each, E Collins 0-1.
B Curtin; C O’Keeffe, T McGrath, N Daly; T O’Brien, C Johnson, L Casey; J O’Driscoll, W Hurley; J Walsh, E Guinane, A Walsh-Murphy; F Lynch, C O’Leary, S Ryan.
M Woods for L Casey (39), O McCarthy for C O’Leary (59).
C White; J Kelleher, C O’Donovan, G O’Donovan; R O’Sullivan, M McSweeney, C Dinneen; S O’Donovan, E Collins; L Meade, T Twomey, D Buckley; D McAree, J Meade, N Kelly.
H Canty for N Kelly (h-t), C Keane for T Twomey (55), J Kenneally for D McAree (57).
David Murnane (Macroom).
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