Shane Barrett: Blarney must refocus for Courcey Rovers and Na Piarsaigh

Blarney produced an awesome display of hurling before demolishing Carrigtwohill in a one-sided Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship clash.

Cork hurling star Shane Barrett finished with a 1-6 tally and he was delighted with the result.

“We have lost our opening games in this championship for the last two years so getting on top early paved the way to see off a tricky Carrigtwohill side,” said Barrett.

The next opponents for Blarney are Courcey Rovers and Barrett believes they will need to be ready for a tough battle.

“There has only been a puck of a ball between us as they beat us two years ago and we turned them over last year and then you have Na Piarsaigh one of the most iconic clubs in Cork so there is a lot of hurling to be played in this championship."

After witnessing his side produce a top brand of hurling the Blarney manager Michael Barrett was naturally pleased with his side.

“It was a very good performance considering we are competing in the division three league and although we were happy enough with our league performance it wasn’t what we would have liked,” said Michael.

Carrigtwohill had a very good league campaign in Division 1 and Blarney knew they needed a good display on the day.

“The lads knew it was going to be a challenge and they produced the hurling they are capable of as all our key players turned up on the day and we are over the moon without getting carried away,” added Barrett.

The stats of the game showed that every Blarney player scored from 5 to 15 and Barrett believes it was a true team performance on the day.

Even the lads that came off the bench did well but looking at the game all our forwards had scored up to half-time and that’s great work by the lads in giving them quality ball." 

Having three players on the Cork squad is a major achievement but as Barrett explained his team only welcomed them back six days before this game.

“Look our Cork players are quality and all our squad are Blarney men to the core and I think the camaraderie in this team is something very special and that’s why we could put in a serious shift here today.

“When you have players who work so hard for one another it makes our job in management that much easier and it’s a pleasure working with them."

Blarney lost the final last season to Newcestown following a replay but Barrett believes his team have moved on.

“Look the first game was a draw and in the replay, Newcestown got three early goals and despite showing great character in the manner we came back in the end we just didn’t have enough.

MOVING ON

“My opinion is that last year is gone and now it's about 2024 as we have no business looking back as our group are young lads who have the ambition to go one better this season.

“There are no easy games and although winning today we had to play very well and we just happen to get the goals at the right time and now we will focus on playing Courcey Rovers for the third consecutive year.”