Valentia lose out in final against Churchill – but both are promoted

IN view of being without Brendan O’Sullivan, Jim Lynch, Barry Lynch, Senan Lynch and John O’Connor for this Division Five County League final versus Churchill on Sunday, July 29, in Glenbeigh, Valentia Young Islanders supporters travelled with little expectation of victory.

However, the team acquitted themselves admirably, losing by a score of 4-11 to 3-10. Both teams were already promoted.

Churchill led at half time by 2-7 to 0-5. Michael O’Brien and John Donnellan scored their goals, with their points being scored by Ivan Parker, John Donnellan, Cillian Fitzgerald (0-2), Michael O’Brien, Donal O’Brien and Pa McCarthy, who also missed a penalty.

Valentia’s points came from Andy Quigley(0-4, 0-3f ) and John Shanahan (0-1f ).

Shortly after the resumption, Churchill had two more goals, scored by Chris Hurley and JJ Prior respectively.

A further point by Cillian Fitzgerald and a pointed free by goalie Eoghan O’Brien copper-fastened their lead. They now led by 16 points – 4-9 to 0-5 – and our worst fears of a hammering were coming to pass.

Passions were running high on stand and field, with Valentia’s manager, Michael A O’Connell, rallying his men and calling for five minutes of pure and committed effort.

His men gallantly answered the call and replied with more than that. Full-back John Curran was now prominent, and together with centre half back Paul O’Sullivan and midfielder Rory Keating carried the game to Churchill with attacking running.

The 46-year-old, evergreen substitute John Daly tore through for a goal. His netting heralded a remarkable comeback.

Substitute Ger ‘The Plumber’ O’Shea added a point, and Andy Quigley scored two fine points of his own from play.

Then Steve Sheehan, who had now moved to full-forward, thundered into action and was fielding well as a target man.

He soon had the ball in the net. Then, he fielded another ball and, under intense pressure, he somehow carried it 20 yards and kicked a second goal, low to the net. The 6’5” proprietor of the Ring Lyne Bar was, on fire and how the Valentia supporters relished it in the stand.

We had a 12-point turnaround to leave us trailing by just four on a score of 4-9 to 3-8.Michael A O’Connell was ecstatic.

However, Churchill’s Jason Mortimer replied with two points. Valentia answered and that man again, Steve Sheehan, knocked the ball down to Brian Falvey ,who took his point. Valentia’s Andy Quigley added the last point of the game to leave the score at the final whistle at 4-11 to 3-10.

A feature of the game all through was the fine point-kicking of Andy Quigley, who scored seven points, four from frees.

The team was as follows: Richard Quigley, John Lynch, John Curran, Ciaran O’Donoghue, David Hussey, Paul O’Sullivan, Concubhair Guiney, Rory Keating, Paul O’Connor, Andy Quigley, Stephen Sheehan, Junior Murphy, Darragh Murphy, John Shanahan, Brian Falvey.

Subs introduced: Ger ‘The Plumber’ O’Shea, Colm Casey and John Daly.