Dungourney return to PIHC semi-final after epic clash with Aghabullogue

Dungourney 3-26 Aghabullogue 3-25 (aet)

John Ahern had the final say as Dungourney booked a Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC semi-final spot following a dramatic extra-time encounter against Aghabullogue on Saturday evening.

While the east Cork side led by eight points early in the second half of normal time, the concession of three goals left them facing elimination as Aghabullogue roared back.

The end of the regulation period had the sides tied at 3-19 each before the Coachford side seized the initiative to lead by two at turnaround in extra time. By this stage, Dungourney’s cause had been hampered by the loss of dead-ball specialist Jack Leahy to a hamstring issue but Ahern – who had scored four points from play in normal time – landed two frees to tie the game.

While Dan Dineen’s fine effort had Aghabullogue back in front, Ahern rounded off a good move involving the tireless Dylan Healy and Seán Geaney before two-goal hero Cillian O’Callaghan put them back in front.

After Dungourney goalkeeper Paul Flynn was quick off his line to deny Aghabullogue’s Matthew Bradley a goal, play was brought back for a free, which Shane Tarrant converted for his ninth point but, with the clock showing 80 minutes, Dungourney went again.

Sub Cathal Murphy almost had an instantaneous impact as he shot from distance, forcing Ian Barry-Murphy to bat the ball out for a 65, but Ahern made no mistake from that and Dungourney held out in injury time to set up a last-four clash with Valley Rovers.

It was a game where Dungourney looked likelier winners for long period, set on their way by an O’Callaghan goal inside 25 seconds as he latched on to a delivery from centre-back Jack Griffin.

When the pair repeated the dose on 14 minutes, it was 2-6 to 0-4 and while James Foley and James Lane helped to bring Aghabullogue back into it, the half-time whistle still showed a 2-11 to 0-13 advantage.

Leahy inspired Dungourney to a strong second-half opening as they moved eight in front again, but Bradley’s goal on 40 – after he had initially been denied by a superb Paul Flynn save – gave Aghabullogue renewed impetus, with Cillian Timmons coming to the fore in defence.

Tarrant’s frees brought them to within a goal, 2-17 to 1-17, before the game swung dramatically inside the final 10 minutes.

First, a searching ball from Aghabullogue wing-back Pauric O’Sullivan led to Dineen scoring a fine levelling goal; then they were in front when Lane poked home a loose ball after uncertainty in the Dungourney defence.

Trailing for the first time, Dungourney could have wilted but instead Leahy’s vision led to him picking out Griffin with a pass from the endline and he blasted to the net.

While Shane Hegarty had Dungourney a point ahead in injury time, Tarrant forced the additional 20 minutes but it was to be Dungourney’s night.

Scorers for Dungourney: J Leahy (0-4 f, 0-1 65) 0-9, John Ahern 0-8 (0-2 f, 0-1 65), C O’Callaghan 2-2, J Griffin 1-0, F Daly, S Hegarty 0-2 each, D Healy, K Coady Byrne, C Griffin 0-1 each.

Aghabullogue: S Tarrant 0-9 (0-6f), J Lane 1-4, M Bradley 1-2, J Foley 0-4, D Dineen 1-1, S Feury 0-2, O O’Connell, L Casey, M Dennehy 0-1 each.

DUNGOURNEY: P Flynn; C Morgan, R Harney, D Healy; M Leahy, J Griffin, M McGrath; S Hegarty, N Motherway; K Coady Byrne, N McGrath, F Daly; John Ahern, C O’Callaghan, J Leahy.

Subs: James Ahern for John Ahern (36-37), C Griffin for N McGrath (55), S Geaney for Daly (67), C Ryan for Motherway (68, injured), James Ahern for Leahy (half-time in extra time, injured), C Murphy for Griffin (79, injured).

AGHABULLOGUE: I Barry-Murphy; M Dennehy, P Ring, Oisín O’Connell; C Gillespie, C Timmons, P O’Sullivan; C Feury, S Feury; S Tarrant, J Foley, J Buckley; J Lane, M Bradley, Odhrán O’Connell.

Subs: C O’Connell for Oisín O’Connell, D Dineen for Buckley (both half-time), L Casey for Odhrán O’Connell (42), J Corkery for S Feury (45), S Feury for O’Sullivan (69, injured), J Buckley for Timmons (74).

Referee: C Walsh (Nemo Rangers).