Blackrock beat Newcestown to join Fr O'Neills in knockout stages with Barrs out

Blackrock 3-17 Newcestown 0-21 

Two Blackrock goals in the space of eight second-half minutes were crucial in putting a dogged Newcestown outfit in a sunny Coachford.

The significance of this result is huge as it confirms St Finbarr's are out of the Premier SHC, with Fr O'Neills through alongside the Rockies.

The West Cork side challenged the city outfit right from the off as they hit three of the first four scores. Fionn Coleman opened the scoring for the Rockies before Jack Meade (free), Colm Dinneen and Sean O’Donovan gave Newcestown the ideal start.

Alan Connolly and Jack Meade traded frees before Peter Lenehen and Coleman both struck over to level it. The first goal of the game came on 13 minutes as a long ball from Alan O’Callaghan was latched onto by Coleman who laid it off to Connolly who buried it, 1-4 to 0-4.

Robbie Cotter hit over his first of the day before the influential Newcestown centre-back Luke Meade struck over from long range. Colm Dinneen kept Town in it with a lovely score while Connolly and Jack Meade were impeccable from frees once more.

Jack Meade continued his free-scoring in the absence of Eddie Kenneally while half-backs Luke Meade, and Niall Cashman for the Rockies, fired over to leave it 1-7 to 0-9 at the break.

O’Callaghan and Jack Meade traded scores at the start of the latter half before Kevin O’Keeffe joined in on the Rockies scoring act. Luke Meade fired over another for the West cork side before the second major came from Shane O’Keeffe.

A shot from Cotter headed towards goal but O’Keeffe made extra sure by flicking it beyond Cathal Wilson. Colm O’Donovan hit back straight away for Town before Peter Linehan cancelled that score out to put the Rockies 2-10 to 0-12 ahead with 20 to go.

Cashman and Connolly split the posts again before Dinneen kept the West Cork side in touch. Rockies corner-forward Cotter followed in brilliantly after a Connolly shot was saved to belt home the rebound.

From there on, while Newcestown didn’t give up, the Rockies were always in control. Niall Kelly got his first of the day for Newcestown but Connolly and Cotter quickly responded with a point each.

Ciaran O’Donovan took over free duty for Newcestown and did well with four in the second spell.

Luke Meade stepped up again for Town in a top-class performance however Coleman, Connolly sealed the Rockies scoring in a successful afternoon.

They face Fr O’Neills next for top spot in the group and a possible direct route to the semis.

Scorers for Blackrock: A Connolly 1-5 (0-3 f), R Cotter 1-2, F Coleman 0-4, S O'Keeffe 1-0, N Cashman, P Linehan 0-2 each, A O’Callaghan, K O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

Newcestown: J Meade 0-5 f, Ciaran O’Donovan (f), C Dinneen, L Meade 0-4 each, N Kelly 0-2, S O’Donovan, Colm O’Donovan 0-1 each.

BLACKROCK: G Connolly; S Murphy, J Cashman, O McAdoo; Cathal Cormack, A O’Callaghan, N Cashman; D O’Farrell, D Meaney; P Linehan, A Connolly, K O’Keeffe; F Coleman, S O’Keeffe, R Cotter.

Subs: R Sweeney for S O’Keeffe, Ciaran Cormack for D Meaney (both 47), J Golden for O McAdoo (59).

NEWCESTOWN: C Wilson; M McSweeney, F Keane, J Kelleher; C O’Neill, L Meade, E Collins; T Twomey, Colm O’Donovan; S O’Donovan, D Buckley, N Kelly; C Dinneen, J Meade, Ciaran O’Donovan.

Subs: O Walsh for L Meade (temp, 32-33), O Walsh for J Meade (34).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue).