- Kildorrery denied in Co. I.F.C. final -

Valley Rovers 1-12 Kildorrery 3-4

Valley Rovers are this year’s Co. IFC champions after they overcame a gallant Kildorrery side in the co. final at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday evening last. For Kildorrery it was further disappointment after being defeated in the Co. JAFC final last year by Canovee.

On Saturday evening last the winners were the better side for most of the game. Their defence was very solid while Chris O’Donovan and Kevin Canty were commanding figures at midfield.

Up front they possessed a greater scoring threat than their opponents but nevertheless Kildorrery helped by goals at vital stages remained in the hunt right up till the final whistle but in the end there was no denying the Innishannon/Brinny side their deserved win.

The opening stages saw the South East side start at a blistering pace and some fine points from Hugh O’Donovan (2), Eamonn Collins (2) and Fiachra Lynch saw them move 0-5 to no score clear by the 8th minute. Kildorrery were now under severe pressure, they gradually began to get a foothold on proceedings with Eamonn O’Connor very effective at centreback.

The North Cork side opened their account in the 10th minute when Andrew O’Brien had a point. Kildorrery were now right back in the contention and over the next couple of minutes they began to get on top working the short passing to great effect.

They struck for their first goal soon after when a long sideline kick by Peter O’Brien, Tom Monaghan working the ball well up the field to find Andrew O’Brien who was brought down in the square and a penalty awarded. Peter O’Brien billowed to the net for Kildorrery to lead for the first time 2-1 to 0-5 after 13 minutes.

However, their lead was short-lived with Valley Rovers going straight down the field from the kick-out with Eoin Manning’s delivery finding Fiachra Lynch and Hugh O’Donovan while Kildorrery had a late point when Eamonn O’Connor kicked over a great solo point to trail at the break 1-7 to 2-2.

The second half was once again close. Kildorrery opted for a two man fullforward line with Andrew O’Brien moving out to midfield. Valley Rovers showed the greater urgency going forward but at times they found it very hard to break down a resolute Kildorrey defence.

Hugh O’Donovan had a point from a free in the 36th minute with Kildorrery responding with a point from Peter O’Brien three minutes later. O’Donovan added another point from a free but over the next 10 minutes both sides kicked two wides each before the winners opened up a four point lead when Kevin Canty set up Eoin Manning for a fine point in the 52nd minute.

In an exciting finish Kildorrery battled to the end and in the 55 minute they came right back into contention when Tom Monaghan’s delivery across the square was finished to the net by Dave White 1-10 to 3-3. In a nail-biting finish both team battled hard for supremacy. John Burke opened up a two point game with a well-taken point.

Kildorrery responded when John McCarthy kicked over a great point under severe pressure. Kildorrery went in search of an equalising point but it was not to be with James Young scoring the point of the game deep in injury time to help his side hold out for a close but deserved win.

Kildorrery: Brendan Hannon, Stevie Kent, Tom Paul Murphy, Richard McEniry, Jerry McCarthy, Eamonn O’Connor, Liam Kelly, Shane Fitzgerald, Peter O’Brien, John Howard, Dave White, Michael Walsh, Tom Monaghan, Andrew O’Brien, Jeremiah Aherne. Subs: Stephen Coughlan for Shane Fitzgerald, Padraig Hanley for Jeremiah Aherne, John McCarthy for Stephen Coughlan (injured). Referee: James Dorgan (Nemo Rangers). After the game Jerry O’Sullivan, Vice Chairman of the Co. Board presented the cup to the winning captain Eamonn Collins. Kildorrery: Peter O’Brien 1-1 (1-0 penalty), Jeremiah Aherne 1-1, Dave White 1-0, Eamonnn O’Connor, Andrew O’Brien, John McCarthy 0-1 each.