SAHC: Shane Barrett shines as Blarney beat Courcey Rovers in a classic

Blarney: 1-23 

Courcey Rovers: 3-13 

Blarney are through to the knockout stages of the Co-Op SuperStores SAHC following a hard-fought win over Courcey Rovers at Riverstick on Saturday evening.

This second group game in Group 1 was keenly contested with no quarter asked or given with a lot on the line. In the end, Blarney’s extra bit of class got them over the line with the bit of X factor from the likes of Cork hurlers Mark Coleman and Shane Barrett as the Muskerry club record a second victory on the trot. Barrett in particular was the star of the show, he was simply awesome as he finished up with 0-11, six from play. Pádraig Power, another Cork player, burst into the game in the second half and and his three points proved crucial. 

The winners had many impressive performers apart from the usual suspects, Peter Philpott and Declan Hanlon hurled a world of ball in defence while the Hegarty brothers, Olan and Cathal, were outstanding in midfield.

This is Courcey Rovers second loss and as a result of Na Piarsaigh beating Carrigtwohill on Friday, the dream of finishing in the top two is now over for the Carrigdhoun side.

It was championship hurling as its best. This was a game that kept everyone entertained right to the finish. There was four points in it at the end, and that was about right. Last year's beaten finalists had a better balanced team. 

Despite Courcey Rovers being aided by a strong wind in the first half, Blarney hit the first two points from Shane Barrett, one which was a free.

Courcey Rovers response was a Richard Sweetnam placed ball from a difficult angle but they were under the cosh in the early stages as Blarney hit 1-2 in two minutes. Cathal McCarthy with the goal after nine minutes after he had an easy finish from close range.

Coleman set up Shane Barrett whose shot was well stopped by Courcey Rovers goalkeeper Stephen Nyhan only for the ball to fall nicely for the goal scorer, 1-4 to 0-1.

The teams swapped the next four white flags before Courcey Rovers roared into proceedings, a Sweetnam free was followed by two green flags in a minute. Aidan O’Donovan and Cork hurler Seán Twomey with the crucial scores as they went in front for the first time, 2-4 to 1-6 after 19 minutes. The second goal was one Blarney should have avoided as goalkeeper Paul Hallissey got overturned by Seán Twomey as he came out with the ball and the forward had the easiest of finishes.

Blarney’s response was phenomenal as they hit five of the next six points to lead 1-11 to 2-5 after 27 minutes. Denis McSweeney’s effort from an impossible angle the pick of the scores.

It threatened to boil over in the closing stages of the first half but referee Canice Walsh kept a lid on things. Blarney held a three point advantage at the break in what was a relentless opening 30 minutes, 1-11 to 2-5. 

Blarney had the wind advantage for the second half even if it wasn’t as strong as the first half. The Muskerry club hit the first score of the half through Cian Barrett, younger brother of Shane, before Tadhg O’Sullivan bisected the posts for his side.

Shane Barrett and Coleman added points for Blarney as they pushed 1-14 to 2-6 clear after 35 minutes. The sides swapped points as Blarney remained in control. A pair of Sweetnam frees did keep Courcey Rovers in touch, and that was followed by a Seán Twomey boomer, down to two points, 1-15 to 2-10 after the third quarter. 

A Shane Barrett free was a timely score for Blarney as they would then hit three of the next four points to lead 1-19 to 2-11.

The Ballinspittle/Ballinadee side needed a spark and it arrived after 52 minutes when sub Ruairí O’Callaghan unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net. It didn't rock Blarney, they went down the other end more or less straight away as Shane Barrett pointed.

The sides exchanged the next four points as Blarney led 1-22 to 3-13 going into injury time. A Coleman free from long range put the icing on the cake for the Mid Cork outfit. A hugely enjoyable contest between two committed teams. Blarney qualify for the business end with a game to spare. Seán Guiheen's Courcey Rovers now can't finish in the top two as they now bid to avoid any relegation talk.

Blarney will face Na Piarsaigh in their final group outing in two weeks while Courcey Rovers take on Carrigtwohill.

Scorers for Blarney: S Barrett 0-11 (0-5 f), C McCarthy 1-3, P Power 0-3, M Coleman 0-2 (0-1 f), P Philpott, D McSweeney, E Kirby, C Barrett 0-1 each.

Courcey Rovers: R Sweetnam 0-9 (0-8 f), A O’Donovan (0-1 f), S Twomey 1-1 each, R O’Callaghan 1-0, T O’Sullivan, O Crowley 0-1 each.

BLARNEY: P Hallissey; A McEvoy, C Power, S Mullane; P Philpott, D Hanlon, M Coleman (c); O Hegarty, C Hegarty; D McSweeney, S Barrett, E Kirby; C Barrett, P Power, C McCarthy.

Subs: S Mulcahy for E Kirby (44), J O’Keeffe for D McSweeney (60), M O’Leary for C McCarthy (63).

COURCEY ROVERS: S Nyhan; B Mulcahy, K Collins, D Collins; F Lordan (c), M Collins, C Roche; L Collins, DJ Twomey; T O’Sullivan, O Crowley, R Sweetnam; B Ryan, S Twomey, A O’Donovan.

Subs: R O’Callaghan for O Crowley (h-t), D O’Donovan for R Sweetnam (61).

Referee: Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).