The Glen breaks the Barrs' hearts at the end of an old-school club hurling classic

John Horgan

Hurling

Glen Rovers 1-21 St Finbarr’s 4-11 

GLEN Rovers and St Finbarr's produced one of the great games of the modern era and a throwback to the glory days of old at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

The Glen, chasing an SHC three in a row but on the brink of elimination after a defeat to Sarsfields in the previous round, fired 1-1 in a dramatic finale to snatch a victory from the Blues in what is a bumper weekend of action on the club front. 

This was old style, knock-out Cork senior championship hurling at its best, with David 'Paddy' Cunningham grabbing the goal in stoppage time to breaks the Barrs' hearts. 

By their own admission, the Glen had accepted their fate but then again you never say never in a game of hurling and with virtually the last act of a terrific game, Paddy Cunningham got a stick to a long delivery from Adam Lynch and the outcome was a goal to sensationally salvage their season.

The Barrs were crushed, their heroic effort had all been in vain and it was no consolation to them afterwards that they had fully restored the pride in the old jersey.

They had put four goals past a very shaky at times Glen defence but still came away empty-handed on a night when Cork city hurling again stood tall.

It was great stuff, the Barrs going two goals up inside the opening eight minutes through Philip Kelleher and Ian Lordan.

The Glen hit back, Cork seniors Patrick Horgan and Dean Brosnan who finished with 0-5 from play each, to the fore. Yet the Barrs were six ahead in the second half thanks to goals from Conor Cahalane, after good work from the impressive Robert O’Mahony, and then midfielder Billy Hennessy.

Even when they went down to 14 men in the 59th minute, the Barrs looked likely winners. 

You could not have scripted such a finish and full credit to the Glen for extricating themselves from what appeared to be a perilous situation. But then that is why they are champions.

It was a night to bring back memories of a time long past when these two were kings of Cork hurling.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: Patrick Horgan (0-11, 0-6 frees); D Brosnan (0-5); M Dooley, C Dorris (0-3 each); D Cunningham (1-0).

St Finbarr’s: I Lordan (1-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65); P Kelleher (1-1); C Cahalane, B Hennessy (1-0 each); R O’Mahony (0-2); G O’Connor (0-1).

See Monday and Tuesday's Evening Echo for extended coverage.