Dylan Healy grabs dramatic late goal to send Dungourney past Valley Rovers into PIHC final
Dungourney's Cillian O'Callaghan hammers the ball to the Valley Rovers net during their Premier IHC semi-final clash at Ballyanly. Picture: David Keane
A dramatic finish saw Dungourney get the better of Valley Rovers in their Co-Op Superstores Premier IHC semi-final clash at Ballyanly on Saturday.
In a game that was tight all through it looked like Valleys got the decisive score in injury time, when Eoghan Crowley goaled.
But with the last play of the game corner-back Dylan Healy was the hero for Dungourney as he popped up in attack to score their second goal and with it a place in the final against Ballincollig.
This was a close game all through and when Dungourney went three points clear after 57 minutes it looked like it was going to be enough.
But Valleys hit back and when Crowley scored it was 1-15 to 1-14 to them two minutes into injury time, before Healy got the winning score for his side.
All over the pitch the winners had some magnificent displays with their full-back line outstanding, along with Niall Motherway who played a sweeping role.
They had to start without influential forwards Jack Leahy and James Ahern, but Leahy came on in the second half to play his part in their win.
Jack Walsh opened the scoring for Valley Rovers, with John Ahern replying from a free for Dungourney.
Chris O’Leary put Valleys back in front, with a second Ahern free seeing the sides level again after six minutes.
Eoghan Crowley, Valleys, and Cormac Griffin exchanged points as there was nothing between the sides early on.
Adam Kenneally and Dungourney’s Kelvin Coady Byrne were on target for their respective sides as they were level for the fourth time after 12 minutes.
Ahern and O’Leary exchanged frees to make it 0-5 apiece, before Niall McGrath put Dungourney in front.
Walsh replied for Valleys as they matched each other point for point to see it level for the sixth time, 0-6 each.
William Hurley pointed for Valleys, with Fionn Daly to make it 0-7 apiece after 22 minutes.
Crowley pointed for Valleys, before Dungourney scored the only goal of the first half.
Straight from the restart Coady Byrne burst forward and played Cillian O’Callaghan in, to give Matthew Kelleher no chance of saving.
O’Leary pointed a late free for Valleys as Dungourney led by 1-7 to 0-9 at half time.
Eoin Guinane put Valleys back on level terms two minutes into the second half, before Leahy, with his first touch after coming on, made it 1-9 to 0-11 for Dungourney.
O’Leary and Shane Ryan scored for Valleys, with Ahern and Mike Leahy replying.
O’Callaghan stretched their lead to two and when he scored in the 57th minute it looked all over, as they led 1-14 to 0-14.
O’Leary pointed a 65 before Crowley got the goal that swung it in Valleys favour.
But Healy was the hero for his side as Coady Byrne played him in for the decisive score.
C O’Callaghan 1-2, J Ahern 0-4 f, D Healy 1-0, C Griffin, J Leahy 0-2 each, K Coady Byrne, N McGragh, F Daly, M Leahy 0-1 each.
E Crowley 1-2, C O’Leary 0-5 (4f, 0-1 65), J Walsh, W Hurley 0-2 each, A Kenneally, E Guinane, S Ryan, J Twohig 0-1 each.
P Flynn; C Morgan, R Harney, D Healy; M Leahy, J Griffin, M McGrath; S Hegarty, N Motherway; K Coady Byrne, J Ahern, N McGrath; F Daly, C O’Callaghan, C Griffin.
J Leahy for F Daly (38), J McCarthy for C Griffin (45).
M Kelleher; T McGrath, M O’Leary, C Johnson; A Kenneally, E Guinane, W Hurley; S Ryan, J Kenneally; J Walsh, B McCarthy, J Towhig; E O’Shea, C O’Leary, E Crowley.
D O’Connell for J Kenneally (44), C O’Shea for J Twohig (50), T O’Brien for C Johnson (53).
Simon Stokes (Tullylease).
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