Valentia triumphs in league thriller

THIS County League Division Five game played in ideal conditions at O’Connor Park in Chapeltown, Valentia, on the evening of Saturday, June 16, saw the Islanders get off to an ideal start with two early goals by wing forward Jim Lynch.

Pa Rahilly opened Scartaglin’s scoring with a close-in free, but subsequent points for Valentia from Paul O’Connor, Andy Quigley, Junior Murphy and John Shanahan left the islanders ahead by 2-4 to 0-1 as they defended the village-end goal. Brian Falvey, Rory Keating and Andy Quigley contributed a further point each, with more Scartaglin scores coming from Daniel Murphy, Pádraig Reidy, Pa Rahilly, Eddie Horan, Hugh O’Connor and Sean Horan. This left the half-time score at 2-7 to 0-7. Pa Rahilly was also very unlucky to see a shot come off the crossbar.

Eddie Horan opened the second half scoring with a point. This was added to by a Daniel Murphy pointed free. A point by Valentia’s Paul O’Connor left the score at 2-8 to 0-9 when Niall Casey, at full forward, had a goal for Scartaglin. Eddie Horan added a point, and the score stood at 2-9 to 1-10 when a strong run by Paul O’Connor ended in him being pulled down in the square for a penalty.

Prior to this, the Valentia goalie Richard Quigley pulled off a fine save. Scartaglin’s goalie, Martin Hewitt, saved Andy Quigley’s penalty, but Andy won the rebound and kicked the ball to the net. It was now 3-9 to 1-10.

With John Curran, Paul O’Sullivan, John Lynch and Concubhair Guiney prominent in defence, Rory Keating and Paul O’Connor doing well at midfield and Jim Lynch fielding well, they copper-fastened their lead with further points by Paul O’Connor, Andy Quigley (a free) and Ger “The Plumber’’ O’Shea. It was now 3-12 to 1-10.

However, Scartaglin were resilient and dogged and replied with points by Eddie Horan (0-2), Padraig Reidy, and Pa Rahilly to leave the score at 3-12 to 1-14. Valentia’s Ger ‘’The Plumber’’ O’Shea added a point, replied to by an Eddie Horan pointed free. Scartaglin’s Daniel Murphy and Valentia’s Barry Lynch also exchanged points.

In the dying moments Scartaglin’s Fred O’Connor goaled for them to leave just a point between the sides (3-14 to 2-16). Scartaglin had a last attack which was repelled, and much to the relief of the home crowd, referee Paul O’Sullivan blew full time on a most entertaining, hard-fought and sporting encounter.

Valentia Young Islanders: Richard Quigley, Ciarán O’Donoghue, John Curran, Senan Lynch, Concubhair Guiney, Paul O’Sullivan, John Lynch, Rory Keating, Paul O’Connor, Junior Murphy, Andy Quigley, Jim Lynch, Brian Falvey, John Shanahan, David Hussey.

Subs introduced: Ger ’The Plumber’ O’Shea, Barry Lynch, Stephen Sheehan, John O’Connor and Darragh Murphy.

Division five is divided into two separate groups, with four qualifying from each to make up the last eight.

Valentia have been drawn at home to Moyvane in the quarter-finals. The date has yet to be decided.

The club welcomes to its ranks the London-based Valentia men, Barry Lynch and John O’Connor, who have transferred from the St Clarets club. Barry scored what turned out to be a winning point.

The passionate, colourful and animated Young Islanders manager Michael A O’Connell and his selectors, Darby and Ger Lynch, are going in the right direction and building the panel nicely. Full marks to them

Well done also to the groundsman, John O’Sullivan, who had the field in top shape for this encounter.

Some patrons enjoying the game against Scartaglin.