Dungourney secured a 2-14 to 1-15 victory against Valley Rovers in the Co-Op Superstores Premier IHC semi-final at Ballyanly. Corner-back Dylan Healy scored the winning goal with the final play of the match to send his side into the final against Ballincollig.
Dramatic Finish at Ballyanly Secures Final Spot
The match remained tight throughout the 60 minutes. Valley Rovers appeared to have secured the decisive score when Eoghan Crowley netted a goal during injury time. That score put Valleys ahead 1-15 to 1-14 two minutes into added time.
However, Dungourney mounted one final attack. Kelvin Coady Byrne played the ball in to Dylan Healy, who had pushed up from his corner-back position to strike the winning goal. The narrow one-point margin sealed the semi-final win.
Dungourney’s full-back line and Niall Motherway, who played as a sweep, were noted for outstanding performances. During the game, Kelvin Coady Byrne and Shane Hegarty blocked a shot from Valley Rovers’ Cian Johnson, resulting in Coady Byrne breaking his hurley.
First Half Scoring and Dungourney Goal
Jack Walsh opened the scoring for Valley Rovers before John Ahern answered with a free for Dungourney.
Chris O’Leary put Valleys ahead again, but a second Ahern free leveled the game after six minutes. Eoghan Crowley and Cormac Griffin then traded points. After 12 minutes, the sides were level for the fourth time following scores from Adam Kenneally and Kelvin Coady Byrne. Ahern and O’Leary exchanged frees to tie the game at 0-5 each before Niall McGrath put Dungourney in front. Walsh responded to level the score at 0-6 each for a sixth time. William Hurley and Fionn Daly then scored to make it 0-7 apiece after 22 minutes. Crowley added a point for Valleys shortly before Dungourney scored the only goal of the first half.
Dungourney delivered the only goal of the first half right after the restart. Kelvin Coady Byrne burst forward from the throw-in and fed Cillian O’Callaghan, who beat Valley Rovers goalkeeper Matthew Kelleher. That goal helped Dungourney establish a 1-7 to 0-9 advantage at the interval after O’Leary scored a late free for Valleys.
Valley Rovers level score before late winner
Valley Rovers leveled the score immediately after the resumption through Eoin Guinane. Jack Leahy then made an immediate impact for Dungourney, scoring with his first touch after coming on as a substitute in the 38th minute.
Valley Rovers responded with a 65 from Chris O’Leary and Crowley’s subsequent goal before Healy intervened with the last-gasp winner. Before the late surge, Shane Ryan and O’Leary scored for Valleys, while Ahern and Mike Leahy replied. O’Callaghan stretched the lead to two points in the 57th minute to make it 1-14 to 0-14.
Cillian O’Callaghan led the scoring for Dungourney with 1-2, supported by John Ahern with four points from frees and Dylan Healy with 1-0. Cormac Griffin and Jack Leahy added 0-2 each, while Kelvin Coady Byrne, Niall McGrath, Fionn Daly, and Mike Leahy scored 0-1 each. Valley Rovers relied on Eoghan Crowley (1-2) and Chris O’Leary (0-5, four frees, one 65) to drive their scoring efforts, with Jack Walsh and William Hurley contributing 0-2 each, and Adam Kenneally, Eoin Guinane, Shane Ryan, and Joe Twohig scoring 0-1 each.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Premier IHC Semi-Final
Who did Dungourney defeat in the Premier IHC semi-final?
Dungourney defeated Valley Rovers by a final score of 2-14 to 1-15 at Ballyanly.
Who scored the winning goal for Dungourney?
Corner-back Dylan Healy scored the winning goal with the final play of the game after receiving a pass from Kelvin Coady Byrne.
Which team is Dungourney facing in the final?
Dungourney advances to face Ballincollig in the decider.
Who refereed the Ballyanly semi-final match?
Simon Stokes of Tullylease officiated the encounter.