Valley's Early Blitz is the difference

Valley Rovers 1-12 Sliabh Rua 0-10

(JJ Hurley)

The Valley Rovers team that defeated Sliabh Rua in the Intermediate Camogie League in Brinny tonight

Valley Rovers’ early score tally proved decisive as the home side saw off a brave effort from Sliabh Rua in the Intermediate Camogie League at Brinny on Monday evening. 

Despite clocking up an impressive tally of 1-5 to 0-0 after 11 minutes, the Clontead ladies had come within two points of the Rovers with less than three minutes remaining in the contest.

However, former Cork intermediate star, Jillian O’Leary had reduced the deficit with a superb individual score, but another couple of steps might have opened a goal chance.

In the end, it all proved immaterial as the Rovers tagged three points and took the all-important league points.

It was the home side that were first out of the traps as they scorched into an early lead, with points from Laura Brew and Caoimhe Craig, both of whom were impressive over the hour.

 For Sliabh Rua, Hannah Hayes was simply outstanding for 60 minutes, as she produced a hatful of brilliant stops.

However, she could do nothing on 11 minutes as Danielle Murphy found the net,

Sliabh Rua looked rudderless during the period, but a free from Emma MacSweeney, who was deadly over the hour from the placed ball, gave her side the desired impetus.

With Gillian O’ Leary and Claire Bernard beginning to boss the game, it was Sliabh Rua’s turn to take the initiative as they hit the next four on the bounce, MacSweeney (3) and one for Niamh Nash.

Another couple of fine stops from Hayes left the score at the break at 1-5 to 0-5.

Early doors in the opening stages had the sides swapping a brace of points as Valley’s Brew was in no mood to miss from the dead ball.

On 48 minutes Eva O’Dwyer, who was very conspicuous for the length of the contest, landed what looked like giving the home side clear water as they led 1-9 to 0-7.

  The visitors to their credit came back with three points from MacSweeney (2) and O’Leary, but Valleys got the breaks in the remaining minutes, to claim the victory, as O’Dwyer, Brew and Kim Muckian added three points to the final tally.

Scorers for Valley Rovers: Laura Brew 1-6 (5F), Danielle Murphy 1-0, Caoimhe Craig 0-3, Eva O’Dwyer 0-2  Kim Muckian 0-1. Sliabh Rua: Emma MacSweeney 0-6 (6F), Gillian O’Leary 0-2, Niamh Nash, Caitlin Hurley (0-1 each)

Teams

Valley Rovers: C Prendergast; C O’Dwyer, A Collins, S O’Dwyer; L McCarthy, M Lynch, A Lynch; E O’Dwyer, S Forde; C Murphy, C Craig, E Dullea; D Murphy, K Muckian, L Brew.  Subs E Collins for C Murphy, R O’ Mahony for D Murphy.

Sliabh Rua: H Hayes; A McCarthy, A Cummins, C Hurley; A Murphy, C Bernard, E O’Callaghan; E Harnett, O Cummins; O McCarthy, G O’Leary, N Nash; E MacSweeney, A Harrington, G McCarthy.  Subs R O’Brien for A Harrington.  

A gallant Sliabh Rua side who just lost out to Valley Rover tonight in the intermediate Camogie League