Valley Rovers 3-5, Shamrocks 0-5
After the hammering against an on fire Ballymartle team during the week, this was a much better performance from an understrenght Shamrocks team at wet, windy and cold Brinny on Sunday morning last.
The conditions were certainly not conductive to fast, flowing hurling and it was reflected in a relatively low scoring affair. However, the greater firepower of the Valleys forwards was the real difference between the teams in the end, in particular their ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
The bitterly cold wind and rain blew right across the pitch – if anything it favoured Shamrocks in the first half as it blew into the Valleys corner back area. However, some early Valley Rovers goals, of the sloppy variety, made life difficult for Shamrocks. They were doing well throughout the middle third and apart from the early goals, they were holding their own. At half time, the score was 3-1 to 0-3 in favour of the home side.
Shamrocks played good hurling in the second half, indeed their striking of the sliotar was good in poor conditions – however, the old achilles heel of not being able to score enough, even create clear goal scoring chances stymied their chances, which their fine efforts no doubt deserved. Rovers held on for the 3 goal win on a morning when everyone was just glad to get indoors after the game. Hurling championship is on in June V Tracton. Football takes over for the next 2 weeks now.
Panel on duty: M. O’Neill, C. Brady., M. Prout, D. O’Neill, C. Kidney, J. Tuohy, B. Cusack, F. O’Neill, A. McCarthy, S. Collins, J. Brady, S. Keane, J. Wilson, D. Hayes, C. O’Grady.
