Patrick Horgan hits 13 points as Glen Rovers prove too good for St Finbarr's in SHL clash in Togher

St Finbarr’s 1-23 

Glen Rovers 2-24 

A classic Red FM Senior hurling division one league clash at Togher on Thursday with the honours going to Glen Rovers with former Cork Senior hurling star Patrick Horgan chipping in with a 13 point tally.

After a league campaign that saw both clubs suffer with depleted sides the Barrs welcomed back Cork panelists Ethan Twomey and Ben Cunningham, with Michael Mullins making a rare start for the Glen.

Right from the throw in it was evident both teams were up for battle with the Barrs only taking 40 seconds to register a point courtesy of Eoghan Finn.

The Blackpool outfit responded quickly with Patrick Horgan showing his quality following a subline white flag with the Barrs James Murray bringing the sides on parity with a sublime point.

It was evident the Glen were intent on raising green flags and when Horgan flicked into the path of Rhys Dunne, he finished with a quality strike to the back of the net.

The pace of the game was electric with both sides trading quality points and when Horgan split the posts in the 24th minute his side commanded a four-point lead 1-8 to 0-7.

In fairness Ben Cunningham was unlucky not to bring the minimum between the sides but his thunderous shot went inches wide of the right post.

After another quality move the Barrs substitute Jack O’Kelly found the back of the net with six minutes remaining to the interval.

Kevin O’Flynn was on hand in the closing minute to level the game but it was fitting Horgan would finish the half with a long range free that gave the Blackpool outfit a one point lead at the break 1-10 to 1-9.

On the restart the Barrs playing with the wind were back on terms courtesy of James Murray point in the opening minute.

Ben Cunningham always looked dangerous when getting clear looks and he edged the Barrs ahead in the next possession.

The hurling continued to be crisp played at a ferocious pace and the sides were level in the 41st minute following a superb Simon Kennifick white flag.

The introduction of Jack Cahalane improved the Barrs going forward and he made an immediate impact with a stunning strike between the posts.

Just when the Barrs looked to gaining control with a three point lead the Glen punished them with a classy goal.

The build up was clinical as once again the vision of Horgan found Stephen Lynam whose finish was unstoppable to the roof of the net.

When the game hung in the balance the Glen won the majority of dirty ball coming down the stretch and with Horgan registering five points in the closing six minutes the Barrs simply had no answers.

Credit to the Barrs, they battled hard but the Glen defence held firm as they departed for Blackpool in full knowledge they had produced their best performance of the season.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: B Cunningham 0-8 (0-5f), J O’Kelly 1-2, E Finn 0-4, J Cahalane 0-3, K O’Flynn 0-2, D Murray, E Keane, J Murray, S Cunningham (0-1 each).

Glen Rovers: P Horgan 0-13 (0-9f), S Lynam 1-1, R Dunne 1-1, D Brosnan 0-3, L Quilligan 0-3, S Kennifick, D Noonan, D Wall (0-1 each).

St Finbarr’s: S Hurley; S Daly, J Burns, S Kennedy; C Crowley, E Twomey, E Keane; B O’Connell, C Doolan; B Cunningham, S Cunningham, E Finn; C O’Connor, K O’Flynn, D Murray.

Subs: J O’Kelly for C O’Connor (inj 13), J Murray for C Doolan (inj 21), J Cahalane for D Murrray (21), A Buckley for C Crowley (55).

Glen Rovers: C Hickey; Z Lynch, E Varian, L Coughlan; A O’Donovan, L Horgan; D Noonan; M Mullins, R Dunne; G Mulcahy, D Brosnan, L Quilligan; S Lynam, P Horgan, S Kennifick.

Subs: D Wall for G Mulcahy (40), F O’Driscoll for S Lynam (50), A O’Sullivan for R Dunne (54).

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).