Battling Duhallow deliver late scoring burst to end Valley’s hopes

Duhallow 0-16 Valley Rovers 0-15

DUHALLOW stung Valley Rovers with a late salvo of points to erase a three-point deficit and savour a victory by the minimum of margins in a dramatic conclusion to the Bon Secours County Premier SFC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday evening.

Not for the first in the campaign have Duhallow come back from the brink, rising to the challenge in style and five consecutive points allowed the divisional men drive home their superiority on the run for home.

Given the fact that the majority of the side have played championship football the previous day with their clubs, somehow Duhallow had the legs to push on and land a ticket against Nemo Rangers or Ballincollig in a semi-final.

With the sides deadlocked on nine occasions, the outcome was always going to be close between two well matched outfits. Falling behind by three points entering the latter stages, Duhallow responded with bravery and conviction to land those run of points to tilt a close confrontation in their favour.

It’s fair to say that defeat was cruel luck on Valleys Rovers, though the lead changed hands, Rovers appeared to becoming a dominant force at the appropriate time, evident from forging a lead and it might well had been of a wider proportions after they passed up goals and point chances.

Duhallow refused to panic and quickly set the wheels in motion to redress the balance on points to Jerry O’Connor, Paul Walsh and Donncha O’Connor for parity. Those scores allowed Duhallow discover a new lease of life, substitute Dáire Moynihan pointed for a lead with Jerry O’Connor doubling the advantage.

Valley made a concerted effort to mount a comeback with John Corbett obliging with a free. Late on, it was backs to the wall for Duhallow as the defensive unit rose superbly to the challenge and stave off raids in search of a reprieve.

Rovers settled into the game quickly and passed up chances after target man Fiachra Lynch pointed early. Steadily Duhallow got to grips with the situation and contributed to the board thanks to the accuracy of Seamus Hickey and Donncha O’Connor

At times, Valley carried an attacking threat and a run of points, highlighted by a fine Chris O’Leary effort helped secure a 0-4 to 0-3 lead at the initial water break. Again Duhallow got moving with purpose as John McLoughlin, Bart Daly and Shane Hickey formed a commanding presence in defence with Mark Ellis putting the shoulder to the wheel in the centre.

For a spell, Duhallow utilised possession to good effect in attack with Donncha O’Connor and Ellis on target, substitute Jerry O’ Connor intercepting a kick-out only for his rising drive skin the crossbar. However, the pendulum continued to swing both ways, Valleys remained in the hunt and a pair of quick fire points from Lynch earned stalemate at 0-8 apiece by the interval.

Game firmly on, neither side prepared to bow on the changeover, Much a similar pattern continued, the sides trading points for further stalemate. Heroic Duhallow defending from keeper Patrick Doyle and Hickey in quick succession denied Valley’s goal chances before Ellis swept down field to point.

Still the Innishannon side appeared to take a grip from points to Tadgh O’Brien, Fiachra Lynch and Billy Crowley. As the clock ticked on, Duhallow showed true character on reacting with an overwhelming attitude to mount a terrific comeback. Substitutes Paul Walsh and Daire Moynihan created an impact as the divisional men’s control and retention of possession confirmed a measure of an experienced side that refused to panic.

Points to Jerry O’Connor, Paul Walsh and a Donncha O’Connor free that resulted on a black card picked up by Valley defender John Kiely. Indeed Duhallow drove home their numerical advantage, Moynihan and Jerry O’Connor split the uprights.

Rovers stubbornly refused to give up the ghost, Corbett pointed a free, under pressure, Duhallow held firm on by battening down the hatches and progressing to the penultimate hurdle.