Valley Rovers Edge Out Kinsale in South East Junior A Hurling Final

Valley Rovers 0-18 Kinsale 1-12

(Joe Lynch accepting the Con Murphy Cup from, Myles Barry Chairman of the SE Board, following Valley Rovers' victory over Kinsale in the Ross Oil Junior A Hurling Final at Shanbally on Saturday) 

Eoghan Galgey delivered a match-winning performance as Valley Rovers overcame Kinsale in a closely contested Ross Oil South East Junior A Hurling Final at Shanbally on Saturday.

The Innishannon side will now turn their attention to the Co-Op Superstore County Junior A Championship, where they face Dromina in the first round.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening stages, with both teams exchanging scores in an entertaining encounter.

However, a crucial spell of dominance from Valley Rovers before half-time proved decisive, as they registered five unanswered points to establish a commanding position.

Kinsale made a positive start when John O’Brien converted a free, but Valley Rovers quickly threatened at the other end, with Conor Taheny’s goal-bound effort brilliantly kept out by goalkeeper Timmy Broderick.

Galgey opened the scoring for the Innishannon men from the resulting 65, before adding another point.

Eoin O’Reilly also found the target as Valley Rovers moved three points clear to lead by 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes.

Kinsale responded in style, with Michael Murphy producing an excellent individual effort to fire the ball into the Valley Rovers net and swing the momentum in his side’s favour.

Galgey and O’Brien exchanged points as the teams continued to battle for control, leaving Kinsale ahead by 1-2 to 0-4 midway through the first half.

The Cork coastal side subsequently strengthened their position, adding two more scores alongside a superb long-range free from Seán O’Regan to maintain a two-point advantage.

However, Valley Rovers finished the half strongly. Their five-point unanswered burst was spearheaded by Galgey, who contributed three scores during this decisive period.

The Innishannon men went into the interval with a 0-10 to 1-4 lead, having completely turned the contest around.

Kinsale attempted to respond after the restart, with O’Brien and Ollie Buckley getting their names on the scoresheet.

Both teams traded points during the second half, with each side registering eight scores over the period.

Yet Valley Rovers once again found another gear, hitting five unanswered points to extend their advantage.

Two of those scores came from Cottrell, leaving the Innishannon outfit in a strong position at 0-15 to 1-6 after 46 minutes.

Kinsale continued to battle and refused to surrender, with O’Brien and Galgey exchanging points as the match entered its closing stages.

With three minutes remaining, four points separated the sides, leaving Kinsale needing something special to force their way back into contention.

Despite their efforts to find the goals required to mount a late comeback, Kinsale were unable to bridge the gap.

They outscored Valley Rovers by three points to two in the closing stages, but the deficit proved too much to overcome.

Charlie O’Sullivan was outstanding in the Valley Rovers defence, helping his side withstand the late pressure and preserve their advantage.

As Kinsale’s hopes of a comeback faded, it was fitting that Galgey, who was deservedly named Man of the Match, registered the final score to seal a memorable victory for Valley Rovers.

Scorers for Valley Rovers: E Galgey 0-10 (0-6 F, 0-2 '65'), J Cottrell, E O’Reilly, K Dart O’Flynn 0-2 each, S O’Regan (0-1 F), C McCarthy, C Taheny 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kinsale: J O’Brien 0-9 (0-8 F, 0-1 '65'), M Murphy 1-0, O Buckley, C Fitzpatrick, M Murphy 0-1 each.

KINSALE: T Broderick; N McCarthy, K O'Callaghan, D O'Leary; J Murphy, O Ryan, B Coughlan; C Fitzpatrick, B O'Neill; N Ryan, O Buckley, J O'Brien; D Forde, C Fitzpatrick, M Murphy.

Subs: G Finn for N Ryan (43), C O’Leary for O Buckley (51).

VALLEY ROVERS: J Lynch; N Daly, C O'Sullivan, E Duarte; S O'Regan, D Lynch, E Delaney; C Kilduff, E O'Reilly; C McCarthy, K Dart O'Flynn, J Cottrell; S McEntee, C Taheny, E Galgey.

Subs: D Carthew for S McEntee (43), S O’Leary for C McCarthy (48).

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).