JOHN COUGHLAN

 
Killeagh/St Ita’s 1-15
Valley Rovers 0-16

GAME of the season at CIT last night as Killeagh/St Ita’s overcame Valley Rovers in a thrilling Rebel Og Premier 2 Minor hurling championship clash played before a large attendance.
With the excitement of the Olympics over this was the perfect way to witness the sport of hurling played at its very best.
It has been a hard 10 days for the Innishannon club as they have now been eliminated from three key championships.
One would have to give credit to their players in this game as they gave their all only to beworn in the closing minutes by this resilient Killeagh side.
Since their opening round defeat to Ballincollig the east Cork side have now managed todefeat two fancied sides in Blarney and Valley Rovers.
Both sides were full of energy from the throw in but with Killeagh committing silly fouls the pinpoint striking of Jason Crowley punished them at will.
The Innishannon side led 0-6 to 0-5 in the 20th minute when Killeagh were awarded a penalty but despite Dan Landers striking it well the Valley Rovers keeper David Lynch parried it to safety.
With Crowley’s tally increasing to six points at the break his side deservedly led 0-9 to 0-5 and looked in control.
Killeagh after hitting two points in the opening four minutes got the perfect start and when substitute Eoghan Keniry drilled in a superb goal a minute later they were back on level terms.
The one guarantee you have from this Killeagh side is commitment and will to win and with David Cahill striking over points from frees that any Senior hurler would be proud of they gradually began taking control.
Sadly for Jack Murphy he could have won the game late for Valley Rovers but Colin Walsh produced a save from the top drawer that denied him a certain goal.
A magnificent point in the final minute from Dan Smiddy sealed a famous win for the east Cork side but both teams should be complimented for the wonderful hurling they produced over the hour.
Scorers for Killeagh/St Ita’s: D Cahill 0-5 (f), E Keniry 1-1, M Murphy 0-2, S Smiddy 0-2, S Treacy, C O’Brien, D Long, D O’Brien, D Smiddy (0-1 each).
Valley Rovers: J Crowley 0-11 (0-8f), 65), D Looney 0-2, A McCarthy, E O’Reilly, D Healy (0-1 each).
Killeagh/St Ita’s: C Walsh; B McCarthy, D Cahill, M Coleman; S McCarthy, C O’Brien, S Treacy; D O’Brien, J Walsh; M Murphy, D Cahill, P Walsh; D Long, D Landers, S Smiddy.
Subs: E Keniry for D O’Brien (h-t), D Smiddy for P Walsh (45).
Valley Rovers: D Lynch; C Hayes, C Desmond, B Murphy; T O’Brien, D Murphy, A McCarthy, D O’Brien; E Fallon, D Healy; D Canty, D Murphy, E O’Reilly; L Counihan, D Looney, J Crowley.
Subs: C O’Connell for A McCarthy (h-t) J Murphy for L Counihan (37).
Referee: D Kirwan (Eire Og).