Carrigdhoun Teams Eye Final Match-Up

(JJ Hurley)

Action shots from Carrigaline V Valley Rovers earlier in the season in the Co-Op Superstore PIHC (Bernard Laverty)

Carrigaline and Valley Rovers must overcome two tough opponents should they wish to face each other in the Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Final.

Waiting in the wings to face the Carrigdhoun outfits are Ballincollig and Dungourney, both of whom will have their own ambitions of lifting the Séamus Long Trophy.

Carrigaline faced Ballincollig in the knockout elements of the championship in 2025, with the village proving too strong for the Owenabue side on the day.

Having not had the most inspiring league campaign, Carrigaline’s first outing in the championship seemed to suggest tough days ahead, as they were beaten by Valley Rovers by an eleven-point margin in Riverstick.

However, with the club making notable moves in the McCarthy Group Insurance Senior Football Championship, it seemed to rub off on the Carrigaline hurlers, who made a remarkable comeback in their next outing.

Playing next-door neighbours Ballymartle, the Riverstick side looked to have the game wrapped up, only to see Rhys McCarthy score a hugely important goal deep into injury time.

It was a result that would eventually see them pip Ballymartle, despite the Riverstick side producing a superb performance to beat Valley Rovers by a single point.

Carrigaline, having recognised that they had been thrown something of a lifeline, made light work of Cloyne in the quarter-final.

With the contest in the bag at half-time, they eventually ran out winners by 0-32 to 2-12.

Now they must face the team who knocked them out of last year’s championship, Ballincollig, with a 4pm throw-in today, Saturday, in Ovens.

Ballincollig were beaten finalists in last year’s competition and may feel they have something to prove.

So Carrig’s men will need to be on their toes, and the load cannot just be left to Brian Kelleher and Kevin O’Reilly to carry if Carrig are to reach the decider.

Also down for decision on Saturday in Ballyanley is Valley Rovers, who face a tough nut in Dungourney at 4pm.

The East Cork men emerged from a so-called group of death, despite losing their first game to Cloyne.

One of the pre-favourites for the competition, Valley Rovers will need to be at their best form, the form that saw them win their first two games with an impressive score tally.

However, their performance against Ballymartle may be a cause for concern, leaving the Riverstick side to pip them with a late Leo Hennessy point in Ballinspittle.

Prior to the Ballymartle game, it had been a 100% record for the Innishannon men, as they had claimed victories over Carrigaline and Kilworth.

Incidentally, Valley Rovers have not scored or conceded a goal in their three games so far.

However, despite those stats, a team led by the evergreen Chris O’Leary, joined by a number of emerging talents, including Joe Twohig and Eoin Guinane, will certainly put it up to the pre-tournament favourites, Dungourney.

In what promises to be another intriguing game in a competition that always throws up one or two surprises, can the Carrigdhoun sides win through to create an all-South East Division decider?

Action shots from Carrigaline V Valley Rovers earlier in the season in the Co-Op Superstore PIHC (Bernard Laverty)