Another chapter in recent Barrs-Rockies rivalry

With 12 clubs involved and each of them guaranteed three group matches, it’s only natural that meetings between established sides have become more common since the change in format of the Cork county championships.

When, at the end of 2019, the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC was created, St Finbarr’s and Blackrock had met each other just twice across the previous 12 seasons.

While they did not cross paths in the first year of the new system, they were in the same group in 2021 and 2022 and met again in the final of the latter year. The draw for 2024 pitted them together again and Friday’s clash at Páirc Uí Rinn will be a fifth meeting across as many seasons.

It's not putting too fine a point on it to cast the 2022 game at the venue as a turning point in the Barrs’ recent history.

Without a county title since 1993, they had not got out of their group in 2020 or 2021. Then, having been drawn with Blackrock and Sarsfields, they drew their opening game against Charleville. It meant that the clash with the Rockies – who had beaten Sars – was effectively must-win.

In 2021, Blackrock’s win over the Barrs in the final group match had eliminated their oivals and when they built an early 0-11 to 0-2 lead, a similar outcome looked in store.

If a turning point can be narrowed to a single moment, it was probably the save by goalkeeper Shane Hurley to deny Alan Connolly a Blackrock goal in the midst of that run. Having trailed by 0-13 to 0-7 after 18 minutes, by half-time they were back to within one, 0-15 to 0-14.

In the second half, Ben Cunningham’s dead-ball accuracy and the midfield partnership of Ethan Twomey and Ben O’Connor helped the Barrs to push on and they were 0-24 to 0-19 ahead when Shane O’Keeffee’s goal for Blackrock was followed by a John O’Sullivan point to cut the deficit to the minimum but that gap remained.

Even with that win, the Barrs had to overcome Sarsfields to qualify from the group but did that and then saw off Douglas and Newtownshandrum to reach the final.

Having beaten Charleville to secure second place, Blackrock beat Imokilly on penalties and then Erin’s Own to make the decider.

October 16 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a dog of a day with continuous rainfall – though the pitch held up well – and still there was a crowd of 15,165.

Not since 1982 had the clubs met in a final; the conditions meant it wouldn’t be a classic but that scarcely mattered to the Barrs. They led 0-4 to 0-1 early on before Mark O’Keeffe’s goal helped Blackrock push ahead – but it was to be the only time they held the upper hand.

Cunningham had six to his name as the Barrs retired with a 0-9 to 1-5 half-time advantage.

Blackrock pressed on the restart but couldn’t find another goal. In contrast, the Barrs made the most of their possession, with Brian Hayes landing a second goal for them. They won by 2-14 to 1-7, ending a 29-year wait for the Seán Óg Murphy Cup.

The clubs’ paths didn’t cross in 2023 – the Barrs’ defence of the title ended with semi-final defeat to Midleton while the Rockies were knocked out by Sars a round earlier – but last year they were drawn together again, meeting in the opening fixture.

Robbie Cotter goaled early for Blackrock and when Connolly also netted, they were 2-5 to 0-4 to the good. By half-time, the Barrs were back within three, 2-7 to 0-10, and Hayes levelled with a goal on the restart.

Blackrock responded well to get four of the next five points but again the Barrs came back, Sam Cunningham netting for them. They led by 2-15 to 2-14 down the stretch but Alan O’Callaghan’s leveller for Blackrock was followed by Cotter’s second goal.

While Ben Cunningham cut the deficit to a single point with a pair of goals, it was as close as they came. Despite the loss, there was a sense that the Barrs would still advance but another defeat, to Fr O’Neills, saw them eliminated after just two games.

Friday’s clash won’t be on such a knife-edge as both sides won their openers, but both teams will know that another victory will provide vital breathing space.