SAHC: Paul O'Leary hails Blarney's resolve as they secure direct semi-final place

Blarney manager Paul O’Leary praised his side’s resilience and work rate after they ground out a 0-22 to 1-14 victory over Watergrasshill in Saturday evening’s Co-Op SuperStores SAHC Group 1 Round 3 clash in Grenagh.

It’s a result that sends them directly into the last four as they look to finally get over the line after near misses in recent years.

With Watergrasshill already assured of a knockout place, both sides knew a win would seal the shorter route. Blarney were the better balanced outfit and finished five points clear.

“It was hard-fought. The conditions made it even tougher,” O'Leary said.

“But I’m delighted with the result. The lads dug in, and the work rate was savage. I don’t know what the turnover count was, but they worked unbelievably hard.

“It’s our first time going straight through to a semi-final from the group phase. We were unlucky for a couple of years not to do it. It gives some lads a break now to get their bodies right. A lot of them have two rounds of football coming up as well, so it’s a big help.” 

Saturday’s contest was exactly the type of battle O’Leary felt his team needed heading into the business end of the championship.

“This was a proper game and it’ll stand to us,” he says.

“In these conditions you find out what you’re made of. Playing against the breeze in the first half, the lads stood up and gave a good account of themselves.

“We lost the toss, so we had to play into it. We had a couple of goal chances we were disappointed not to convert, but we were happy enough to be ahead. We knew they’d come out fighting. It came back to a point at one stage, but our lads responded.” 

That response — a steady stream of points to cancel out Watergrasshill’s goal — was exactly what O’Leary has been demanding.

“We’ve been working on keeping the scoreboard ticking. In the last couple of games our scores dried up in the final ten minutes, but today we kept it going. And it shows the depth we have.

“They all chipped in. You can’t rely on one or two fellas at this level.” 

The manager admitted the role comes with its stresses, especially balancing it with family life, but results like Saturday’s make it worthwhile.

“It’s stressful, yeah — busy household at home,” he laughed.

“Winning helps. The semi-final is in four weeks, so it’s a nice break. The lads will have football, and we’ve a round of junior hurling to play as well. We’ll regroup and hopefully be ready for action in four weeks’ time.” 

Blarney will face Na Piarsaigh or Carrigtwohill in the semi-final, while Watergrasshill move on to a quarter-final meeting with Ballinhassig, with Erin’s Own waiting for the winners.