Barry Casey credits youth, identity and grit as Valley Rovers edge neighbours Newcestown

Valley Rovers’ one-point victory over Newcestown in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC Group 2 Round 2 tie at Coachford on Saturday evening meant everything to those involved.

It was a derby, a test of nerve, and a measure of how far this young Valley Rovers group has travelled in a short space of time. They ended up in the relegation play-off last year.

For manager Barry Casey, the performance told the story after the 1-16 to 3-9 win.

“We’ve had a few years of relegation battles and narrow escapes,” he said afterwards. 

“Fiachra Lynch took over the coaching this year and the lads have reacted to it. We had a very young squad when we played St Michael’s — around eight U21s on the pitch that day.” 

That youth was central again in Coachford. Valley Rovers didn’t flinch when Newcestown struck for three goals, and didn’t lose their shape when the game swung back and forth. Casey said the group’s development has been deliberate.

“We started young for this, we gave them a chance, they rewarded us,” he says.

“We kicked a lot of wides the first day and we were disappointed, but we knew there was more in us. In fairness, they put the shoulder to the wheel and did everything they could to win the game for us. We’re delighted now.” 

The win also carried emotional weight given how close Valley Rovers came to dropping to Senior A last season. Casey didn’t need reminding.

“We were very close to going down, especially the first game against Carbery Rangers, and obviously we won the replay. But Fiachra [Lynch] understands we’ve a certain way of playing football and we might have lost that a bit over the years.

“The lads are reacting. We’re a young squad, eager to learn, eager to try. It’s hard with the dual players, but to be fair, they’ve put their shoulder to the wheel and they got their just reward today.” 

Casey said the message after the St Michael’s game was simple, keep kicking. It wasn’t pretty that day in the two-point victory, but this time around it was a stark improvement.

“I don’t know how many wides we kicked against St Michael’s, but the message after it was keep kicking. We didn’t want to tie them up or make them afraid to shoot.

“Similarly at the back, we make mistakes, but every time Newcestown got a goal today, we came up the field and got a score ourselves. Great credit to the lads.

“We talked that if we went behind, we wouldn’t panic. We’d stay in the game and do ourselves proud. To be fair, that’s what the lads have done.” 

Eoin Guinane’s influence was highlighted with the forward stepping up to kick the winner. Even aside from that all-important point, he was very effective.

Casey revealed they had planned to introduce four or five substitutes, but the tightness of the game made it difficult. They did make two.

“Everyone was playing reasonably well,” he states.

“You’re trying to freshen it up, but the game didn’t allow that today. Then Eoin [Guinane] kicked the winner. He was very good the last day too — second half against St Michael’s, up the hill, into the wind. He held onto the ball and got frees for us. He’s a very clever player.” 

Four points from two games leaves Valley Rovers in a strong position, though Casey remains cautious with Nemo Rangers to come in four weeks’ time.

“We spoke about it Thursday night at training — I genuinely believed we were capable of winning this. There’s no guarantee we’re through yet. Our scoring difference against St Michael’s might come back to haunt us, but it’s a better place than the last number of years. A win puts a bit of pep in your step.” 

Attention now turns to a quick turnaround for the dual players ahead of Thursday’s Co-Op SuperStores PIHC fixture against Kilworth at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“Chris O’Leary’s getting married at the weekend, so the game’s brought forward. A few tired bodies, a bit of recovery now and back at it on Thursday. That’s what it’s all about.”