Imokilly march on to Premier Senior Hurling final as they cruise past Blackrock

Imokilly 1-29 Blackrock 1-20 

Leading from start to finish – Imokilly never looked in doubt.

A relentless first half that saw the divisional side punish Blackrock for their poor passing and lack of chance creation, Imokilly had built up an eight-point lead at the break on Sunday afternoon in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

One first-half score from play was never going to be enough for the Rockies, and they were fortunate their opponents’ gap wasn’t larger.

Despite an improved second half from Blackrock, they were unable to close the gap to less than three at any point, and Imokilly kept landing the jabs to win by nine.

Goal chances eluded the Rockies and they couldn’t keep pace with Imokilly who will now face holders Sarsfields in the Premier Senior Hurling Championship final.

The first score from play was through Diarmuid Healy, while follow-up points from Daire O’Leary and Brian Lawton put the Imokilly up 0-5 to 0-1 after eight minutes.

Sean Desmond had been a nightmare for Blackrock full-back John Cashman to deal with, so when Cashman lost possession and Desmond ran straight at goal, the Rockies were in trouble.

The Watergrasshill forward handpassed it across goal to Jack Leahy, who was there to strike it beautifully into the far corner, 1-5 to 0-1 after only nine minutes.

The goal briefly brought the Rockies to life, but Robbie Cotter’s chance at the other end was well saved by Eoin Davis. They managed a free in the 12th minute through Alan Connolly, just their second score of the game.

A free from Leahy got Imokilly firing again, and Bill Cooper set up Shane Hegarty for another score. Leahy fired over again before Lawton assisted O’Leary – and the Rockies could do nothing to stop the rampage.

When the East Cork division finally hit their first wide, they were up 1-9 to 0-2 after 21 minutes and Blackrock were still yet to score from play.

That point from play finally arrived on 26, after Imokilly had added two more prior to a free from Connolly.

An impressive double save from Gavin Connolly saw the Rockies’ goalkeeper deny both Desmond and Leahy, and with Imokilly ahead by 11 on the eve of the half – the contest already appeared to be settled.

Cotter had one last chance in the half to find a goal for the 2020 champions, and was fouled for a penalty by Mike Russell. Connolly struck it hard with top spin as Eoin Davis went the other way, leaving it 1-13 to 1-5 at the interval.

Peter Lenihan’s score after 15 seconds in the second period was exactly what Blackrock needed on the resumption, but Imokilly always kept their shape.

Two Connolly frees were sandwiched by a score from Kevin O’Keeffe, leaving the Rockies five behind after 37 minutes.

Lawton, who was very impressive for the candystripes, added another before again Blackrock hit three more without reply.

That left a goal in it with 20 minutes to go.

Two quickfire scores for Imokilly through Seámus Harnedy and Leahy left the division 1-18 to 1-13 in front after 43 minutes, and while Cotter replied – the scores just kept coming for Imokilly.

This time through substitute Mike Kelly and Bill Cooper, 1-20 to 1-14 after 49.

While again Blackrock pushed back they were no match for Imokilly’s firepower, and the gap between the teams remained at six after 56 minutes.

Imokilly pushed on at the end to win by nine, finishing with a scoring spread of 12 different players, and a monstrous tally of 1-29.

Scorers for Imokilly: J Leahy 1-8 (0-4 f), B Lawton 0-5, S Harnedy 0-4, D O’Leary, D Healy, E Davis (2 f) 0-2 each, S Desmond, S Hegarty, A Murphy, B Cooper, M Kelly, D O’Brien 0-1 each.

Blackrock: A Connolly 1-9 (0-7 f, 1-0 pen), R Cotter 0-4, R Sweeney 0-2, P Lenihan, K O’Keeffe, G Connolly (f), T Deasy, Ciarán Cormack 0-1 each.

IMOKILLY: E Davis (St Catherine’s); T Wilk (Cobh), M Russell (Aghada), C O’Brien (Cpt) (St Ita’s); D O’Leary (Watergrasshill), C Joyce (Castlemartyr), J Cronin (Lisgoold); S Hegarty (Dungourney) B Cooper (Youghal); S Harnedy (St Ita’s), D Healy (Lisgoold), B Lawton (Castlemartyr); A Murphy (Watergrasshill), S Desmond (Watergrasshill), J Leahy (Dungourney).

Subs: K O’Neill (Watergrasshill) for Russell (39), M Kelly (Castlemartyr) for Murphy (43), D O’Brien (St Ita’s) for Healy (58), L O’Shea (Lisgoold) for Desmond (60+1).

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

Subs: T Deasy for N Cashman (39), R Sweeney for O’Farrell (43), S O’Keeffe for M O’Keeffe (54), J O’Sullivan for Ciarán Cormack (56).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Nemo Rangers)