Harbour Rovers too crafty for Clyda Rovers

Harbour Rovers 0-16 Clyda Rovers 0-7

Harbour Rovers moved a step closer to reaching the knockout stages of the Cavanagh’s Fermoy Div 1 HL when they ran out convincing winners over Clyda Rovers at Glanworth on Sunday morning.

The opening stages saw the home side get to grips from an early stage. Stephen Condon with three points had them 0-3 to no score in front by the 10th minute. Clyda Rovers quickly settled and a brace of points by Kevin Coffey left a point between the teams by the 19th minute.

However, Harbour Rovers were finding scores much easier to come by. Stephen Condon added two more frees before they came close to scoring the game’s opening goal when Stephen Condon and John O’Sullivan combined well to set up Emmett Sheehan who was denied by a fine save by the Clyda Rovers keeper Patrick Ryan.

Further pressure saw Stephen Condon and Emmett Sheehan stretch the winners lead to 0-7 to 0-2. In injury time Clyda Rovers pulled a point back when Kenneth Fitzgerald pointed from distance and it closed the margin to 0-7 to 0-3 at the short whistle.

On the changeover Harbour Rovers continued to exert the early pressure with Brian Gallagher, Sean Finn, Darragh O’Brien, John O’Sullivan, Emmett Sheehan and the Condon brothers most effective.

By the 37th minute their authority on proceedings was reflected when they opened up a 0-10 to 0-3 cushion. Kevin Coffey with two frees kept the Mourneabbey side in touch. Harbour Rovers response was immediate with Sean Finn setting up Padraig Hannon for a well taken point in the 43rd minute. Kevin Coffey added another point from a ‘65’ for Clyda Rovers but it was the home side that saw out the game in a very determined manner. Emmett Sheehan and Stephen Condon combined well to set up John O’Sullivan who sent over from long range. The winners added four more points in the last 10 minutes before Clyda Rovers completed the scoring in stoppage time when Kevin Coffey pointed a ‘65’ but there was no denying Harbour Rovers a comfortable victory.

Scorers for Harbour Rovers: Stephen Condon 0-10 (0-6f), Padraig Hannon 0-2, John O’Sullivan 0-2, Emmett Sheehan 0-1, Thomas Condon 0-1f. Clyda Rovers: Kevin Coffey 0-6 (0-4 ‘65’ 0-2f) Kenneth Fitzgerald 0-1.

Harbour Rovers: David O’Sullivan, Jamie Fogarty, Brian Gallagher, Philip Blackburne, Jerome Fitzgibbon, Thomas Condon, Jessie Walsh, Darragh O’Brien, Sean Finn, Peter Condon, John O’Sullivan, Padraig Hannon, Stephen Condon, Michael Blackburne, Emmett Sheehan. Subs: Edmond Roche for Michael Blackburne, Pa Roche for Padraig Hannon (inj), Marc Moloney for Jessie Walsh, John Blackburne for Jamie Fogarty, David Campion for Emmett Sheehan,

Clyda Rovers: Patrick Ryan, Aidan Walsh, Chris Kenny, Sean Kelly, James Buckley, Kenneth Fitzgerald, Colin Kelly, Eoin Walsh, Kevin Graham, Luke Brophy, Chris Buckley, Niall Hanley, William Cronin, Daniel O’Callaghan, Kevin Coffey, Subs Conor Murphy for Colin Kelly (inj), Daniel Fitzpatrick for Luke Brophy (inj).

Referee Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll).