Blarney's start to the Senior A Hurling Championship shows how finely poised it is in Cork

The Cork Senior A Hurling Championship. The swings and roundabouts. And that’s just in Group 1.

Only for a last-minute injury-time goal from a free by Mark Coleman that saved the day three weeks ago, the story could have been so different for Blarney.

With time running out, the Cork star had to nail it in order to overturn a two-point deficit in round 1 against Castlelyons. At the time, Blarney head-coach Paul O’Leary said there was nobody else you’d want standing over such a high-pressure shot.

The win generated momentum. They left Riverstown that afternoon in high spirits.

Fast forward to Sunday, they arrive in Glantane with a pep in their step, and record an emphatic 2-28 to 0-20 victory over Ballyhea.

No nervous moments this time. Instead it was a collective team effort that produced 10 different scorers.

“We built on the Castlelyons game over the last couple of weeks,” O’Leary said.

“And that is what we were looking for today, a performance from the first minute to throughout the game. We’ve been playing in patches and we did that against Castlelyons unfortunately, but I think we got that consistent performance today.” 

The devastating outcome was all so different for pipped-at-the-post Castlelyons, who fell short in round 2 against Watergrasshill on Sunday and subsequently bowed out of the championship.

Within reach, but out of grasp.

“That is no surprise in terms that Watergrasshill are a good team,” continued O’Leary.

It goes to show, Castlelyons would have been in the top two or three favourites and now they are gone.

“We are under no illusions in two weeks’ time that Watergrasshill will be coming for us, after last year’s game as well (3-24 to 0-12). I suppose they will be sore after that. They beat (eventual champions) Bride Rovers after beating us.” 

Pádraig Power, after rolling his ankle and being replaced by Shane Mulcahy as a precaution, is expected to be fit for the short trip to Grenagh on Saturday, September 5 (5.30pm) for what will be a highly-anticipated table-top clash against Watergrasshill.

Both teams are on full points, with Blarney (+15) ahead of Watergrasshill (+9) on score difference.

“It keeps it very interesting. Watergrasshill, they’ll be absolutely hopping, they’re a young team. It is going to be a game to watch in a couple of weeks’ time.

“Both teams will just go hell for leather over the next couple of weeks.” 

CONSISTENT

It’s busy times in the Blarney club, and like most other dual clubs, juggling football and hurling has to be done.

Last week players lined out in football and hurling championship matches. So, replenishing tired bodies is the focus ahead of the Hill. Blarney are no strangers to preparing for these major days.

Since their promotion to senior hurling in 2020, there was only one year they didn’t reach the knockout stages. They’ve got to two finals (and a replay) and one semi-final in the last three years.

You get that deep sense of pride from former player O’Leary.

“We played junior championship last night and we played football on Monday night and a lot of them play football as well, that was a big focus for the club this year.

“We’ll be recovering the bodies after today. We are just delighted with the effort the lads put in.”