Imokilly and Blackrock - always a classic showdown

It’s a championship meeting that doesn’t come around very often – with Blackrock and Imokilly only meeting in the championship three times in the last 23 seasons.

When they do clash though, it never disappoints.

Tomorrow, at 2pm, Blackrock and Imokilly will meet in Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the semi-final of the Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship.

The last meeting between the city side and the divisional powerhouse was at the quarter-final stage two seasons ago, and it was certainly a classic.

It was Blackrock goalkeeper Gavin Connolly who emerged as the hero on the day – denying Seamus Harnedy, William Leahy and Josh Beausang in the penalty shootout to see the Rockies’ through to the semi-final.

After Robbie Cotter’s goal for Blackrock at the tail end of the game forced extra time, the two were then separated by the minimum at the break, with Imokilly leading 1-21 to 1-20.

Shane O’Keeffe was next to step up for the Rockies, firing into the back of the net with four minutes of extra time to go.

Leahy saved Imokilly in the third minute of added time to equalise from a 65, taking the contest to the dreaded penalty shootout, but the city side weren’t going to be defeated on this occasion.

Alan Connolly, Tadhg Deasy and Michael O’Halloran all scored from the penalty spot – and Gavin Connolly’s heroics between the posts set up a semi-final meeting with Erin’s Own.

As they have been all through 2024, the goals were crucial for Blackrock in that semi-final in 2022, and they beat the east Cork side 3-21 to 0-21, with Deasy, Cotter and O’Halloran all finding the back of the net.

The Rockies fell short to St Finbarr’s in the final though, unable to add a 33rd senior county title to the trophy cabinet.

That 2022 quarter-final was the first meeting between Imokilly and Blackrock since their 2017 final – when the division won the first of three consecutive senior titles.

On this occasion, it was goals that eluded Blackrock, ultimately costing them the trophy.

Despite Imokilly conceding seven goals in the quarter and semi-final stages, the Rockies were unable to find the back of the net – while goals from Harnedy, Cian Fleming and Brian Mulcahy ensuring the Candystripes were victorious by four points.

The Rockies’ absence of a three point haul from anyone outside of free takers Michael O’Halloran and Alan O’Callaghan meant they never led, though O’Callaghan came close to finding a green flag late on.

His close range strike from a free went over the head of then goalkeeper Declan Dalton and between the posts, while Brian Mulcahy of St Catherine’s, who had come on in the 58th minute, found the back of the net late on to ensure Imokilly would lift the title for the first time in 19 years.

Lisgoold’s John Cronin starred while Cork senior Ger Millerick impressed in midfield, and the Rockies wait for a first senior title since 2002 would have to wait.

That final win in the 2002 against Newtownshandrum marked consecutive title wins for Blackrock for the first time since 1978/79, while the first of those victories in 2001 was against none other than Imokilly.

GOALS GALORE

With both teams boasting a wealth of quality in the teams they served up a six-goal thriller, while Cork legend Alan Browne starred, scoring 3-8 of Blackrock’s 4-8 as they defeated Imokilly by seven points.

Another star of that generation in current Cork senior selector Wayne Sherlock was outstanding at the back as he captained the Rockies to their title win, keeping Joe Deane to just one score from play.

Imokilly’s best performer was none other than Deane’s Killeagh teammate Mark Landers, who captained Cork to All-Ireland glory with their one-point win over Kilkenny in 1999.

Despite his best efforts at half-back and a tally of 2-2, Browne’s breathtaking display ensured the Rockies would be crowned 2001 champions.

There’s no doubt we’re in for another thriller tomorrow afternoon, and while Imokilly are favourites with the bookies for a reason – you can never count out Blackrock.

Both teams will be eager to get back to a county decider and make up for their eliminations last year at the hands of Sarsfields.