Blackrock win big over Inniscarra and move on in this year's senior camogie championship

Blackrock 5-15 

Inniscarra 1-8 

Blackrock’s victory over Inniscarra in the SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship at Castle Road ensured they take third place in group two and booked themselves a preliminary quarter final spot where they will meet Carbery on Sunday next. 

With both sides having lost out to St Finbarr’s and St Catherine’s victory for either ensured the third place spot and it was Blackrock who hit the ground running with and impressive opening half performances to lead 4-8 to 0-5 at the half time whistle.

With Blackrock leading by a goal at the end of the opening quarter Inniscarra had a chance to get on level when they won a penalty but Aine O’Regan’s effort went wide and from here to the break Blackrock were in control as they dominated in every sector and building on their impressive opening half display they held the upper hand to the full time whistle to run out winners.

Aine O’Regan pointed to give Inniscarra an early lead but from the restart Cliona O’Callaghan struck for a Blackrock goal.

With the sides evenly matched it was point for point, Hayley Ryan, Erin Curtin and Kaitlin Hickey finding the range for Blackrock with Aoife Power, Aileen Sheehan and Ellen Crowley keeping Inniscarra in touch. 

Inniscarra applied pressure and won a penalty but with O’Regan’s effort sailing wide Inniscarra lost a valuable chance to get on level.

Inniscarra where hit a killer blow as Blackrock hit two goals inside a minuet Erin Curtin and Hayley Ryan on target as Inniscarra struggled to get into the game and with Blackrock moving the ball fast they picked off points.

Hayley Ryan with three in a row, Maeve Coffee one and Erin Curtin with two as Ellen Crowley responded with one for Inniscarra to leave them trailing at the break by fifteen points.

To their credit Inniscarra battled hard in the second half, Cliona O’Callaghan and Hayley Ryan had early points for Blackrock but three in a row from Inniscarra from Aileen Sheehan, Adele Lotty and Ellen Crowley cut the deficit but it was a mountain to climb for an Inniscarra side, who battled for every ball and never left their heads drop.

Cliona O’Callaghan grabbed Blackrock’s fifth goal before Claudia Keane goaled for Inniscarra on a night when the strength of Blackrock comfortably saw them through.

For Inniscarra they now face a relegation play off where they will meet Aghabullogue next weekend whilst Blackrock will look ahead with huge confidence to their clash with Carbery.

Scorers for Blackrock: C O’Callaghan, E Curtin 2-3 each, H Ryan 1-6 (0-2f’s, 0-1 45), K Hickey (f), M Coffee, M Murphy 0-1 each.

Inniscarra: E Crowley 0-3(0-2f’),C Keane 1-0, A Sheehan 0-2, A O Regan(f), A Lotty, A Power 0-1 each.

Blackrock: A Kearney; A Leahy, M Ryan, M Cashman; A Hegarty, O Grimley, R De Faoite; J O’ Keeffe, K Hickey; M Coffey, H Ryan, M Murphy; E Curtin, L McKeogh, C O’ Callaghan.

Subs: L Guerin for A Leahy (inj 14), S Mc McCarthy for L Mc Keogh (37), K O’ Sullivan for M Coffee (37), K Lyons for J O’ Keeffe (37), A O’ Farrell for R De Faoite (50).

Inniscarra: C Buckley; C Looney, R Buckley, A O’ Leary; B Holland, C Ring, N Dinan; A O’ Regan, E Looney; E O’ Reilly, A Power, C Keane; E Crowley, A Sheehan, S O’ Sullivan.

Subs: S Doyle for N Dinan (28), A Lotty for S O’ Sullivan (35), M Lyons for C Looney (42), J Lyons for B Holland (inj 43), S O’ Callaghan for A Power (inj 53).

Referee: Niall O’ Neill (Midleton).