IT might have only been a first-round victory, but Blarney savoured their success over Ballinhassig.

They’d been underwhelming in recent campaigns and had to beat Youghal in the PIHC relegation series to avoid the drop to lower intermediate. Hurling is a religion in the Mid Cork club though and with Mark Coleman at the heart of their team and Cork minors Shane Barrett, Pádraig Power, and Declan Hanlon stepping up they weren’t short on talent.

The new wave and more experienced campaigners like Joe Jordan, Paul O’Leary, and Ray Murphy blended brilliantly as they outscored Hassig 0-14 to 1-3 in the second half.

“We’d some very lean years but throughout that time there was a cohort of five or six guys who kept the show on the road,” explained Jordan, who was outstanding at half-back. “We knew what was coming and we had to be patient. The injection of youth has been incredible for us.

“They play with total abandon. They throw the shackles off, they’ve fierce pace, and fantastic hurling too. The future of the club is bright.”

Jordan — who hurled at every level for Cork — has been rock solid for Blarney since they landed the Premier crown 11 years ago.

“It’s great for me because I was there back in 2008 and got to play with guys who were heroes of mine and win trophies with them. Now it’s different because I’m 32 next week and we’ve a new baby at home, that’s not the type of preparation I was used to but it makes me appreciate it even more.

“We’re not reliant on one or two anymore, we’ve a spread of talent. Coleman was able to play his own game because you can’t be trying to get him to do everything. We all have to look after our own patch and for me it’s great to roll back the years with a first-round championship win.”

There’s a strong CBC link in Blarney, from Jordan through to Barrett, Power and Hanlon.

“In my latter years, the hurling was coming in at Christians. It was the result of a couple of Blarney lads that won a minor in 2005. My father had the interest as the principal and Donal O’Mahony has been the steward of it. The fact we have the Blarney lads still featuring and the school involved in the Harty is very special, there’s a huge connection.”

The GP will be moving to Dublin this summer to pursue the sports side to medicine and he believes Cork hurling has never been better.

“I think Cork hurling is at a high because the skill levels have gone through the roof in terms of touch and composure. You’d be blown away even pucking around with some young guys.”