Premier SHC: Blackrock on fire as they hammer Douglas to seal semi-final place

Blackrock: 0-33 

Douglas: 0-11 

Blackrock have finished the group stage with a routine 22-point win over city rivals Douglas in the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC at Ballyanly on Sunday evening.

Jamie Harrington’s team finish top of Group 3 and were already qualified for the business end prior to the last round of group fixtures and as things transpired, they go directly to the semi-finals on scoring difference over Sarsfields.

It was a workmanlike display in a game where they didn’t reach their full potential. They didn’t have to either. The teams were level early on, but once the Church Road-based outfit got into their stride, it never looked anything other than a Blackrock victory.

The winners hit 30 points from play in what was a great team performance.

Douglas end up with a point from their three games with the crucial draw against Kanturk last month enough to keep them out of the relegation play-off.

Their task here wasn’t helped by the absence of Shane Kingston due to illness. But, even if Douglas did have him, they were still going to be firmly up against it.

The Rockies hit the first three points inside three minutes. Kevin O’Keeffe with two points and a Robbie Cotter effort.

It took some time for Douglas to bring a bit of bite to the game. Mark Howell and Eoin O’Flynn were helping their side gain a foothold.

An Alan Cadogan free, Joseph Harte and a Seán Barron effort did draw Douglas level.

Blackrock always had an extra gear or two to kick on. They hit five of the next six points. Michael O’Halloran with two brilliant scores, 0-8 to 0-4 after 17 minutes.

Barron did leave a goal in it, but O’Halloran, Alan Connolly and Daniel Meaney gave their team a healthy advantage.

The teams traded points before a pair of Kevin O’Keeffe white flags pushed Blackrock 0-14 to 0-6 clear after 27 minutes.

Douglas did land two of the last three points of the half with a Cadogan free and a Conor O’Donovan effort with the scores, 0-15 to 0-8 at the short whistle.

The teams shared the first four points of the new half, but Blackrock were playing within themselves. It wasn't long before they turned on the afterburners. 

Kevin O’Keeffe, O’Halloran and Robbie Cotter points gave Blackrock a 0-20 to 0-10 lead with 17 minutes to go.

It was total dominance from the Rockies at this juncture. They would put together 10 unanswered points in a 16-minute spell. Substitute Fionn Coleman, who was lively when introduced, getting the pick of the scores with a sublime effort.

Jamie Harrington’s team also had a goal opportunity, during that scoring spree, but Alan Connolly’s well struck shot was stopped brilliantly by Douglas goalkeeper Donal Maher.

Douglas’ first score in 18 minutes came two minutes into added time when Joseph Harte bisected the posts, 0-30 to 0-11.

Blackrock registered the last three points of the game through sub Ciarán Cormack, Niall Cashman and Cotter.

They go directly to the last four while Douglas avoid the relegation play-off.

Scorers for Blackrock: K O’Keeffe, M O’Halloran, R Cotter 0-7 each, A Connolly 0-6 (0-3 f), N Cashman 0-2, Cathal Cormack, D Meaney, Ciarán Cormack, F Coleman 0-1 each.

Douglas: A Cadogan 0-4 f, J Harte, S Barron, R Dooley 0-2 each, Conor O’Donovan 0-1.

BLACKROCK: G Connolly; J Ryan, A O’Callaghan, S Murphy; Cathal Cormack, J Cashman, R Sweeney; N Cashman, D O’Farrell; P Linehan, K O’Keeffe, D Meaney; M O’Halloran, A Connolly, R Cotter.

Subs: F Coleman for D Meaney (36), Ciarán Cormack for K O’Keeffe (46), O McAdoo for P Linehan (50), I O’Keeffe for M O’Halloran (55), S Healy for D O’Farrell (61).

DOUGLAS: D Maher; D Murphy, B O’Neill, K McSweeney; E O’Flynn, M Howell, Cillian O’Donovan; D Kelly, A O’Connell; J Harte, S Barron, D Harte; A Cadogan, Conor O’Donovan, R Dooley.

Subs: B O’Connor for D Kelly (38), C Baldwin for A O’Connell (44).

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).