Blackrock hold off Carrigaline in cracking hurling league clash
Fionn Coleman, Blackrock, taking on Ronan Kelleher, Carrigaline in their RedFM Hurling League Division 1 match at Church Road, Blackrock. Picture: Dan Linehan
Blackrock had to withstand a terrific second-half rally from Carrigaline before securing a hard-earned win in a pulsating RedFM Senior Hurling League clash at Church Road.
The Rockies were dominant for the majority of the first half but were given a reminder in the second half that games are won over 60 minutes at this level.
On the plus side for Blackrock, they had an 11-point contribution from Ryan Sweeney, and with Fionn Coleman showing his class with a 1-4 tally they will be pleased to get their first win under their belts.
The Blackrock press was incredible in the opening two minutes as they had three points on the scoreboard before Carrigaline finally settled and after a stunning move, the energetic Eanna Desmond split the posts with a terrific strike.
The Rockies were fired up following their defeat to Charleville and midway through the half, they extended their lead to five points following a Ryan Sweeney white flag. David Drake pointed for Carrgaline and only a poor final pass cost him a goal chance.
On each occasion that Blackrock pressed they looked capable of punishing the Carrigaline defence and they were rewarded with a stunning goal in the 20th minute.
A high ball was caught by Coleman and his pace saw off two defenders before blasting the ball to the roof of the net. He's a fine prospect and his skill as a ball-winner was very evident when possession came his way.
Another plus for Blackrock was the ability of keeper Gavin Connolly to help his defence while also placing perfect ball to his forwards.
In the closing play of the first half, midfield ace Ollie Macadoo placed a stunning 70-yard shot straight over the bar and they'd a seven-point lead, 1-12 to 0-8.
Carrigaline were in further trouble when points from Coleman (2) and Sweeney gave the Rockies a 10-point lead in the 35th minute. They looked in total control up to midway through the half but when Rob O’Shea billowed the back of the net from a close-range free Carrigaline found a new lease of life.
When Eanna Desmond drilled over a superb point with three minutes remaining the deficit was reduced to two points.
The hosts responded to the wake-up call and Coleman won a great ball and raised a white flag to end a nine-minute scoring drought.
Carrigaline answered with a majestic Callum O’Farrell point but the impressive Sweeney was on hand to register his 11th point in added time.
It concluded a terrific encounter as the Rockies will be hoping to build on this result but last year's Division 2 champions look a talented outfit for the coming PIHC campaign, having lost the final to Watergrasshill.
R Sweeney 0-11 (0-8 f), F Coleman 1-4, T Deasy 0-2, K O’Keeffe, I O’Keeffe, O Macadoo 0-1 each.
R O’Shea 1-3 (1-2 f), E Desmond 0-5, C Kearney 0-4, C O’Farrell 0-2, B Kelleher 0-2, D Drake 0-1.
G Connolly; J Ryan, G Norberg, S Healy; L O’Sullivan, S Cashman, T Deasy; N Cashman, O Macadoo; D O’Farrell, K O’Keeffe, I O’Keeffe; R Sweeney, F Coleman, PJ Lenihan.
R Cotter for O Macadoo (45), D Meaney for T Deasy (48), E Cantwell for L O’Sullivan (52), R Laide for S Healy (54).
C McCarthy; D Stack, S Williamson, C Vaughan; H Andrews, D King, R McCarthy; R Kelleher, R O’Shea; E Desmond, B Kelleher, C O’Farrell; C Kearney, K O’Reilly, D Drake.
T Vaughan for K O’Reilly (40), S Andrews for H Andrews (48).
Mark Maher (St Finbarr’s).
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