Harbour Rovers too crafty for Shanbally’

Harbour Rovers 0-20 Shanballymore 1-9

Having lost their last game to Killavullen, Harbour Rovers returned to winning ways in the Cavanagh’s of Fermoy Div 1 HL, when they ran out worthy winners over Shanballymore on Tuesday evening last week in Shanballymore.

Rovers, with a good blend of youth and experience, were quick to set out their intentions with Padraig Hannon (4), Jamie Fogarty (2), Emmett Sheehan, Aaron Noonan, Jamie Fogarty and Diarmuid O’Brien reeling off some fine points, that moved them 0-9 to 0-3 in front by the 19th minute – the Shanballymore points coming from Darragh Palmer, Eoin O’Regan and Shane Looney.

As the half went on, Shanballymore improved greatly. In the 23rd minute a good delivery by Cory Buckley set up Shane Looney for a point, while at the other end, a good pass by John Landers placed Padraig Hannon for a point for the winners. Jack Twomey and Harvey McGrath traded late points, with the home side creating a goal scoring opportunity in injury time when Jack Twomey was denied by a good save from the Rovers keeper, Brian Gallagher. At the break, Harbour Rovers held a 0-11 to 0-6 advantage.

On the changeover, Shanballymore made the best possible start when a delivery by Darragh Palmer was finished to the net by Shane Looney that closed the deficit to just two points. However, Shanballymore found scores hard to come by for a while with the better equipped Harbour Rovers’ outfit prevailing from here. Some well taken points by Padraig Hannon (4), Pa Roche (2), Diarmuid O’Brien (2) and Michael Blackburne helped seal the issue long before the final whistle, when leading by 0-20 to 1-6.

Shanballymore battled away in the closing stages with Paul Burke (2) and Jack Twomey having points before the end, but there was no denying Harbour

Rovers the manner of their victory.

TEAMS & SCORERS

Harbour Rovers: Brian Gallagher, Philip Blackburne, Eric O’Donoghue, Bart O’Keeffe, John Landers, Thomas Condon, Jamie Fogarty 0-2, Diarmuid O’Brien 0-3, Peter Condon, Marc Moloney, Padraig Hannon 0-9 (0-7f), Emmett Sheehan 0-1, Aaron Noonan 0-1, Scott Sheehan, Ricky O’Donoghue. Subs: Harvey McGrath (0-1) for Thomas Condon, Pa Roche (0-2) for Eric O’Donoghue, Dave Campion for Scott Sheehan, Michael Blackburne (0-1) for Emmett Sheehan, Shane Mullins for Philip Blackburne, John Gallagher for Aaron Noonan.

Shanballymore: Stephen Donegan, Conor McDonnell, Barry Sheedy, Darren Roche, Micheal Burke, Eoin O’Regan 0-1f, Billy O’Grady, Cory Buckley, Shane Looney 1-2, Jordan O’Grady, Dean Carey, Richard Hallinan, Alan Sheedy, Darragh Palmer 0-2 (0-1f), Jack Twomey 0-2 (0-1f). Subs: Paul Burke (0-2) for Conor McDonnell, Shaun Cronin for Jordan O’Grady, Jimmy Burke for Dean Carey.

Referee Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).