Barry Hazelwood was first to score from a free which was awarded to the Rovers at the throw-in but Mallow's response was quick with a point from Michael Maher. John Walsh added a second for Mallow with a long range pointed free & by the seventh minute Mallow had their 3rd point from Full-Forward, M.Galvin. Bride Rovers replied with a fine point from a tigerish Colm O'Keeffe who worked hard to win possession before scoring. Barry Hazelwood added another point from a free before Mallow struck with a goal in the 19th minute. Mallow scored another point minutes later to leave the Rovers trailing by 5 points. Just on half-time Barry Hazelwood scored from a 65'. Half-Time Bride Rovers 0-04 Mallow 1-05.

Immediately after half-time the Rovers squandered three chances of points with three wides. However another 65' converted by Barry Hazelwood was followed by a Mallow point. Padraig Murphy & Mike Hogan were winning alot of possession in midfield &  In the 10th minute of the 2nd half a well taken goal by Donal Ryan was followed by a fine point from Barry Hazelwood out on the wing to leave the scores at 1-06 each. However the scores were to remain level for the shortest of periods as Mallow struck for their second goal on the very next attack.

Mallow & the Rovers swapped a brace of points, the Rovers scores coming from Barry Hazelwood (frees). Terry Broderick, now operating at Centre-Forward, struck over a point to reduce Mallow's lead to just 2 points & minutes later Colm O'Keeffe made an incisive run alonmg the end line before handpassing the ball to the in rushing Sean Ryan who flicked the ball to the net to put the Rovers up a point & into the lead for the first time since the opening minute of the game.

Mallow equalised on the 22nd minute but Donal Ryan restored the Rovers lead with a point. Mallow scored an equaliser again from a pointed free as the game entered injury time & a draw looked likely. But a long clearance from Brendan Walsh had the Rovers on the attack again. Sean Ryan pounced on a loose ball & at that was fouled. Barry Hazelwood made no mistake from the resultant free & secure a one point victory for the Rovers.