Blackrock push on in second half to defeat Fr O'Neill's
Fr O'Neill's Ryan Kenneally clears his lines past Blackrock's Lee O'Sullivan, during their SHL clash at Church Road. Picture: David Keane.
Despite a slow start Blackrock showed their class in the second half to see off Fr O’Neill’s in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League.
In terrific warm conditions, the Rockies inspired by the inclusion of Cork panelist Robbie Cotter showed glimpses of brilliance and finished with a 1-6 tally.
Right from the throw in Fr O’Neill’s looked up for battle and with them winning the majority of dirty ball they surged into a two-point lead 0-3 to 0-1 with a brace coming from the stick of talisman Kevin O’Sullivan who finished with a 13- point contribution.
Indeed, with Blackrock giving away soft frees O’Sullivan continued to punish them at will.
Midway through the half the east Cork side commanded a four-point lead but the Rockies punished them with a sucker punch goal.
Cotter got ball 40 yards from goal before making an incredible run and his finish to the back of the net was right from the top drawer.
After looking a side firmly on the ropes Blackrock suddenly looked a different unit but they were lucky to escape six minutes before half time when Paudie McMahon’s shot was parried to safety.
The determination of Fr O’Neill’s was rewarded four minutes later when Joe Millerick placed a pinpoint assist to Michael Wall who drilled a low shot to the corner of the net.
After Cotter drilled over a free in added time O’Neill’s immediately responded with O’Sullivan’s seventh white flag as the sides went in the break level on 1-10 each.
On the restart, it was evident the Rockies was intent on pressing their opponents with Cotter and Tadgh Deasy striking over consecutive points.
Suddenly being under pressure the Rockies were now in full flow and five minutes into the restart Cotter almost registered his second goal but keeper Paudie O’Sullivan did well.
The free-taking of O’Sullivan kept O’Neill’s within striking distance as all they muster up was three points from play in the second half.
Niall Cashman was outstanding in this period as his physical power and striking saw him contribute consecutive points both from all of 80 yards with his final number tallying five white flags from play.
Tadhg Deasy was another player to excel in this period as O’Neill’s offered little going forward, particularly in the second half.
The East Cork side who are having a good league campaign can have few excuses from this encounter as once the Rockies turned the screw they had few answers.
In the end Blackrock will be happy to get this win under their belt with their coaching staff firmly setting their sights on championship.
R Cotter 1-6 (0-2 f), R Sweeney 0-6 (0-5 f, 0-1 65), N Cashman 0-5, F Coleman 0-3, T Deasy, PJ Lenihan 0-2 each, L O’Sullivan 0-1.
K O’Sullivan 0-13 (0-10 f), M Wall 1-0, J Millerick 0-3, P Hassett, R Kenneally 0-1 each.
G Connolly; J Ryan, E Cantwell, S Healy; A O’Callaghan, J Cashman, T Deasy; N Cashman, L O’Sullivan; F Coleman, P J Lenihan, I O’Keeffe; R Sweeney, R Cotter, J O’Sullivan.
P O’Sullivan; M Millerick, E Motherway, D O’Neill; M O’Keeffe, D Harrington, R Kenneally; K O’Sullivan, J Millerick; R Cullinane, P McMahon, P Hassett; John Millerick, M Wall, B Dunne.
Niall Fahy (Brian Dillons).
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