Blackrock junior hurlers strike late to secure draw with Na Piarsaigh

Blackrock 4-14 Na Piarsaigh 1-23

Last year’s beaten finalists Na Piarsaigh have maintained their unbeaten run in the AOS Security Seandún Junior A Hurling Championship, as their nail-biting encounter against Blackrock, before a good-sized attendance at Ballinlough, ended in a stalemate.

This result leaves Na Piarsaigh in pole position in their group, while Blackrock are propping up the table on a single point.

With the scoreline reading 1-23 to 3-14 in favour of Na Piarsaigh, Blackrock equalised when Tom Grainger set up Paddy Lynch for their fourth goal with the game’s last play, six minutes into stoppage time. This ensured a share of the spoils for both sides.

Blackrock made the better start, before Na Piarsaigh’s goal midway through the second half, turned the tide in their favour. Na Piarsaigh also had a penalty saved by Blackrock net-minder Paul O’Brien, as the sides finished level at the break. Na Piarsaigh dominated the second half, but were out-goaled by Blackrock.

Grainger exchanged two points, including a free with Michael Sheehan and Sean Paul Cooke, before the tide turned in Blackrock’s favour.

Luke Fogarty and Lorcan de Burca opened a two-point gap for Blackrock, before Dayne Lee and Peter Lehane responded with points for Na Piarsaigh.

Grainger put Blackrock in the driving seat as he converted his second free, but Na Piarsaigh seized the initiative as Lee set up Alan Keating for the game’s opening goal in the 14th minute. This left Na Piarsaigh leading by 1-4 to 0-5.

Lehane and de Burca traded points before Na Piarsaigh took a grip on proceedings. Michael Sheehan slotted over two points, including a free. Na Piarsaigh missed a penalty in the 20th minute, but Michael Sheehan tagged on a point to increase his side’s lead to 1-8 to 0-6.

Blackrock responded with a point by de Burca, which was followed by Paul O’Brien’s first free.

Blackrock levelled matters in the 24th minute, when Grainger set up David Garvan for their first goal, which tied the scores at 1-8 apiece.

Both teams scored three points each approaching the break. Fogarty exchanged points with Shane Galgey. Keating converted a 65 and a free for Na Piarsaigh. Blackrock responded with pointed frees by Paul O’Brien and Grainger.

This left the sides level at 1-11 each at the interval.

With the elements in their favour after the resumption, Na Piarsaigh had Blackrock pinned back as Michael Sheehan tagged on two unanswered points and Keating chipped in with a pointed free.

Garvan replied with a point for Blackrock. Grainger set up James Walsh for Blackrock’s second goal in the 42nd minute, which left Blackrock leading by the minimum.

Na Piarsaigh regained the lead, courtesy of points by Evan Sheehan and Christopher Joyce. Keating also converted a 65, to leave Na Piarsaigh leading by 1-17 to 2-12.

Entering the final quarter, Walsh got his second goal for Blackrock, as he capitalised on the rebound of a save by Na Piarsaigh net-minder, Jack Logergan.

In the closing stages , Na Piarsaigh had six unanswered points, which included frees by Keating and Lee.

Blackrock responded with a point from Keivn Morgan and a free by Grainger, to set the scene for a dramatic finish.

Scorers for Blackrock: J Walsh 2-0; T Grainger 0-5 (0-4 f); D Garvan 1-1; P Lynch 1-0; L Fogarty 0-3; P O’Brien (f), L de Burca 0-2 each; K Morgan 0-1.

Na Piarsaigh: A Keating 1-6 (0-3 f, 0-1 65); M Sheehan 0-6 (0-1 f); D Lee 0-4 (0-1 f); P Lehane, E Sheehan 0-2 each; SP Cooke, S Galgey, C Joyce 0-1 each.

BLACKROCK: P O’Brien; D Stokes, T Harrington, J O’Donovan; J O’Sullivan, C Coakley, R Cregan; L de Burca, K Morgan; T Grainger, P Cotter, L Fogarty; D Browne, P Lynch, J Walsh.

Subs: D Garvan for Lynch (11), D McClafferty for O’Donovan (58), Lynch for Garvan (60).

NA PIARSAIGH: J Lonergan; E Cronin, K Power, J Scanlan; C Joyce, P Cunningham, G Joyce; SP Cooke, J Morrissey; A Keating, S Galgey, P Lehane; M Sheehan, A Dennehy, D Lee.

Subs: C O’Leary for Keating (temp, 1-2), for Dennehy (42), E Sheehan for Lehane (36), S Daly for Cooke (53), C O’Brien for E Sheehan (60+).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).