Reconnaissance work pays off for Rockies

While they gave up home advantage for Sunday’s RedFM Hurling League Division 1 game against Charleville, it was a decision that proved worthwhile for Blackrock.

A 2-27 to 2-17 triumph featured 12 scorers despite being short of full strength – and the relocation to Mourneabbey rather than Church Road.

Clyda Rovers’ home will host the Rockies’ Premier SHC clash with Kanturk on Sunday, September 6 and so the they sought to replicate the scenario, even down to the 4pm throw-in time.

Manager Jamie Harrington was more than satisfied with how everything played out on Sunday.

“We just tried to do today what we're going to do when we play Kanturk here in two months’ time,” he said.

“Even as regards driving here and what time to meet here and the dressing-rooms and the pitch – it was worth giving up the home venue for us on Sunday.

“We’re comfortable coming out of Blackrock and Cork, we have a very good record outside of Páirc Uí Rinn and Páirc Uí Chaoimh – in fact, we actually have a better record outside of the city than we have inside the city.

“So look, yeah, it's good to get out and the pitch is in good order here and the place is well set up so. We knew all this beforehand, but it's still good to get here.”

While Charleville struck for a goal at the very beginning of the game, Blackrock soon got on top despite playing into the wind, with a strong show of scorers such as Michael O’Halloran, who got both goals, Kevin O’Keeffe and Niall Cashman.

By half-time, Blackrock were 1-14 to 1-8 in front as their visitors – who had a similar journey to the ‘hosts’ – failed to make the elements count.

“No, they didn't,” Harrington said.

“We definitely used the ball very well, we got some great scores.

“We had a very good strike-rate – we had the capacity to score inside and outside, so we were very happy with it.

“Obviously, we conceded a goal inside the first 30 seconds but after that I thought our first half was very good, bar a ten-minute patch after we scored the goal.

“Generally, I thought our hurling was good.”

All in all, it was a productive day, with the impressive showing ensuring that Harrington and his selectors have a tricky task to pick a team when the championship games against Glen Rovers, Fr O’Neill’s and Kanturk do come around.

“Yeah, we do, hopefully,” he said.

“To be fair to a lot of the lads there, I mean we had a kind of a must-win game on Saturday for the intermediate team so there was a couple of starters who played the full hour on Saturday and played again Sunday and all the subs had played Saturday too.

“Everybody's a little bit weary going away but look, as a weekend for the club, a great win Saturday against Kildorrery, a good win Sunday for us so we're just very happy.”