Had a few twists and turns

job when it mattered, and they found the kick to claim victory, the winning margin of seven points was a little bit unfair to the losers because, coming towards the end of regulation time, just two points separated the pair only for the divisional side to pull away and close out the game with a 1-2 tally, the goal netted by Darragh Moynihan.

Duhallow 0-13 Valley Rovers 0-10

NOT for the first time, Duhallow proved a bogey outfit for Valley Rovers.

For the second consecutive season, the divisional side squeezed their wasteful opponents into submission in the County SFC quarter-final at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Perhaps lucky to be ahead at the break, Duhallow looked far the more formidable force on the resumption, playing comfortably within themselves though forced to absorb some late pressure to bank a crucial three point victory. Above all, pretty efficient rather than a spectacular performance, it was good enough to secure a passage to a semi final against in-form Castlehaven.

For Duhallow, Donncha O’Connor emerged the main man in attack, showing repeatedly for the ball and finishing confidently with a 0-6 tally to show the retired county player has lost none of his scoring gloss.

Duhallow 0-13 Castlehaven 0-13

FOR so long the masters, Duhallow had victory plucked from their grasp by never say die Castlehaven in a dramatic Co. SFC semi final at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

In doing so, a hotly fancied Castlehaven left it late to shoot the closing seven points, trailing 0-15 to 0-8 with 55 minutes elapsed, a man down and operating against the breeze.

Little wonder there were scenes of bedlam within the Castlehaven camp at the long whistle after a trademark rally produced a get out of jail card when super sub James Davis landed the equalising point in the 6th minute of time added on.

From a contest of swaying fortunes, Duhallow had earlier looked head and shoulders above the championship favourites for long stretches.

Duhallow 2-15 Castlehaven 1-18 (aet)

FOR sheer excitement and energy sapping drama, this County SFC semi-final replay was hard to beat, between two committed sides that finished deadlocked after extra time at Pairc Uí Rinn.

Rarely in recent seasons has there been such a competitive contest, and the welcome sight of playing bright, attacking football gripped the large attendance.

During the latter stages, near the end of the hour and late in extra time, Castlehaven looked the more probable winners. Crucially, Duhallow, having passed up chances earlier, held their nerve. After initially falling five points adrift, they availed of an opportunist goal from substitute Daire Moynihan before Michael Vaughan angled over an equalising point to take the game into extra time.

Anthony O’Connor looked to grab a latter winner for Duhallow only for Conor Cahalane to earn the ‘Haven a late reprieve.

Duhallow 3-13 Castlehaven 0-16

DUHALLOW issued a warning of their intentions to send Castlehaven crashing out of the Co. SFC in the third instalment between two committed teams.

The divisional side laid down an early marker, and were boosted by an early penalty converted by Donnacha O’Connor.

Though Castlehaven responded with points from Michael Hurley and Damien Cahalane, Duhallow pilfered an opportunist goal from Seamus Hickey to enjoy a 2-7 to 0-7 interval advantage,.

And it got better for Duhallow upon the restart, when Jerry O’Connor darted into space to drill the ball powerfully beyond ‘Haven keeper Anthony Seymour.

Hard though as the club side attempted to mount a rescue, Duhallow never lost their sense of direction.