Luke Callanan buries late free to give St Vincent's dramatic victory over Blackrock

St Vincent’s 2-18 Blackrock 2-17

There were dramatic scenes at Ballinlough as St Vincent’s defeated Blackrock with a last-minute goal from a free to claim the Cormac O’Connor Butchers & Foodhall Craobh Rua Hurling Cup.

The scoreline was reading 2-17 to 1-18 in favour of Blackrock when Luke Callanan drilled home the winning goal from a free, with the last puck of the game at Ballinlough.

Vincent’s made the better start as they were playing with the aid of a slight breeze for the opening half, but the tide turned in Blackrock’s favour, following the first half water break. After the interval, St. Vincent’s tightened up at the back, while persistent fouling was proving to be costly for Blackrock.

The northsiders opened the scoring with points from James Collins and Luke Callanan. Blackrock replied with a point from Caoimhín Perrot. This was followed by a free by Luke Fogarty, which tied the scores at two points apiece.

Vincent’s regained the lead in the sixth minute, when Jake Galvin set up Luke Callanan for the game’s opening goal. They continued to have Blackrock pinned back as Luke Callanan and Dylan Doherty each scored points.

Blackrock replied with unanswered points by Lorcan de Burca, James Walsh and Peter Cotter.

The Rockies took the lead for the first time when Fogarty set up Walsh for their first goal, 1-5 to 1-4 at the first water break.

Walsh tagged on two points from play and Peter Leneghan also got a point. Callanan replied with four points, including two frees, for Vincent’s. This left the half-time scoreline reading 1-10 to 1-8 in favour of Blackrock.

Callanan converted his third free three minutes after the resumption. Peter Cotter traded points with Dylan Doherty. Fogarty added one for Blackrock and Callanan responded with two points, to level matters.

Fogarty nailed two 65s, while Collins replied for St Vincent’s. Callanan pointed his fourth free, to tie the scores at 1-14 each at the second half water break.

In the final quarter, Collins got Vincent’s only score from play and Callanan slotted over three frees.

Paddy Lynch replied with two points for Blackrock. Blackrock’s second goal came in the 54th minute, when de Burca set up Leneghan.

Fogarty also converted his third 65 to set the scene for a dramatic finish.

Scorers for St  Vincent’s: L Callanan 2-13 (1-8 f), D Doherty 0-3, J Collins 0-2.

Blackrock: L Fogarty 0-7 (0-3 65, 0-3 f), J Walsh 1-3, P Leneghan 1-1, P Lynch, P Cotter 0-2 each, L de Burca, K Perrott 0-1 each.

ST VINCENT'S: D Peelo; K McCarthy, J Galvin, M Long; C Dennehey, C Walker, A Bridgeman; D Callanan, A Higgins; D Doherty, L Callanan, C Doherty; S O’Brien, J Collins, C Hegarty.

Subs: J Jones for Long (16), D Fitzgerlad for Bridgeman, J O’Mahony for McCarthy (both h-t), D Ahern for Peelo (36, inj), N Breen for Galvin (50, inj).

BLACKROCK: K Foley; C Long, T Harrington, A O’Brien; C Perrot, S Cormack, K Morgan; R Cregan, L de Burca; P Leneghan, L Fogarty, J Walsh; P Cotter, P Lynch, C Casey.

Subs: J O’Donovan for Casey (35), B O'Leary for Cregan (50), C O’Leary for Walsh (52).

Referee: John Horgan (Gleann na Laoi).