Michael O'Halloran hit a 66th minute winner as Abbeyside edged out Dunhill in a rip roaring curtain raiser at Fraher Field on Sunday (3-13 to 1-18).
Victory came at a cost however as top scorer Mark Ferncombe will miss the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Furry sent over eight points before he hobbled off in added time. He has accumulated 1-22 in three games. Pat Curran's side also lost county footballer Brian Looby to a hamstring injury while Déise captain Conor Prunty didn't tog out due to a quad injury.
Last year's intermediate champions led by five points after 42 minutes but couldn't close it out. Michael Kiely set up cousin Eoin Kiely for a goal with twelve minutes left before Ferncombe snuck Abbeyside in front from a free. Shane Casey levelled on 58 minutes. The former county forward registered 1-6 but missed four second half frees. O'Halloran nailed the decisive score in the sixth minute of injury time when he punished a loose clearance. Adam Green missed a last gasp chance to force extra time.
Three Eamonn Murphy points helped Dunhill into an 8-4 lead inside 20 minutes. Abbeyside hit five wides before Tom Looby opened their account.
The game exploded into life on 22 minutes when a long ball from Neil Montgomery bounced into the Dunhill net. Murphy then crossed for Shane Casey who whipped home. On 24 minutes, Ferncombe turned the ball over and laid off to O'Halloran who buried the ball past Donal Carey (2-5 to 1-8).
Murphy's fourth point edged Dunhill ahead. There was goalmouth drama at both ends. Carey blocked Patrick Hurney before John Elsted hooked Dylan Power. Abbeyside shot stopper Aaron Beresford then made two brave saves from Murphy and Casey. Two Casey dead balls left Dunhill 1-11 to 2-6 to the good at the interval.
Scorers for Abbeyside: Mark Ferncombe 0-8 (5fs, 1 65), Michael O'Halloran 1-2, Neil Montgomery, Eoin Kiely 1-0 each, Tom Looby, Willie Beresford, Michael Kiely 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dunhill: Shane Casey 1-6 (2fs, 1 65), Eamonn Murphy 0-4, Cillian Bonner, Adam Green 0-2 each, Daryl Swift, Conor Quinn, Dylan Power, Mike Hally 0-1 each.
Abbeyside: Aaron Beresford; Colin Foley, Brian Looby, Darragh McGrath; John Elsted, Neil Montgomery, Daire Slevin; Tom Looby, Sean Whelan Barrett; Mark Twomey, Michael Kiely, Willie Beresford; Michael O'Halloran, Patrick Hurney, Mark Ferncombe.
Subs: James Beresford for Brian Looby (29), Charlie Treen for Twomey (HT), Eoin Kiely for Hurney (HT), Jack McGrath for Slevin (42), Rian Walsh for Ferncombe (62).
Dunhill; Donal Carey; Cian Hally, Walter Hally, Killian O'Connell; Daryl Swift, Micheal Harney, Conor Quinn; Eoghan Casey, Darragh Murray; Cillian Bonner, Eamonn Murphy, Adam Green; Dylan Power, Shane Casey, Mike Hally.
Referee: Nicky Barry.
