St Vincent's hurlers drive into Seándun semi-final after seven-goal thriller with Blackrock

St Vincent’s 4-21 Blackrock 3-15

St Vincent’s have qualified for the semi-finals of the AOS Security Seandún Junior A Hurling Championship, as they defeated Blackrock in a seven-goal thriller at Ballinlough. 

Despite their efforts, the Rockies are eliminated.

Vincent’s held the upper hand in the opening half, despite playing against the elements, as all their goals came before the break. They also dominated proceedings after the interval, while Blackrock, to their credit, got two goals.

Vincent’s led by 0-3 to 0-2, courtesy of two points by Blake Murphy and one by Trevor Broderick. Blackrock replied with points from Jack O’Sullivan and James Walsh.

The northsiders took a grip on proceedings as Adam Sorensen set up Sean Daly for the game’s opening goal in the eighth minute. Paddy Lynch exchanged points with Luke Callanan, before Blackrock found themselves pinned back.

In the 13th minute, Blake Murphy fed Daly for his second goal. Wayward puck-outs were proving to be costly for Blackrock as Callanan got two unanswered points: 2-6 to 0-3.

Blackrock responded with points by Walsh and Fogarty, before Daly set up Broderick for the third goal. Daly added a point from play while Callanan and Fogarty traded frees.

In the 25th minute, Robert Cregan capitalised on an error to raise a green flag but in response, Daly combined with Cormac O’Neill for the Saints' fourth goal.

Blake Murphy added a point. Blackrock converted three frees but were 4-9 to 1-9 down at the interval.

Vincent’s outscored Blackrock by 0-5 to 0-3 and entering the final quarter, Cian O’Leary intercepted a clearance to pounce for Blackrock’s second goal.

Lynch won possession from a free by Fogarty, to score Blackrock’s third goal, five minutes from time.

Scorers for St Vincent’s: S Daly 2-6, L Callanan 0-9 (0-2 f), T Broderick 1-2, Cormac O’Neill 1-0, B Murphy 0-3, A O’Donoghue 0-1.

Blackrock: P Lynch 1-3, J Walsh 0-5 (0-3 f), L Fogarty 0-4 (0-3 f), C O’Leary, R Cregan 1-1 each, J O’Sullivan 0-1.

ST VINCENT'S: R Fielding; C Dennehy, C Desmond, J Jones; S O’Leary, A Sorensen, A Harter; G McCarthy, A Higgins; Cormac O’Neill, L Callanan, Jamie O’Donovan; B Murphy, S Daly, T Broderick.

Subs: K Sorensen for Jones (h-t), Cian O’Neill for Dennehy (42), K O’Connor for B Murphy (45, inj), AJ Murphy for Cormac O’Neill (53), A O’Donoghue for G McCarthy (55).

BLACKROCK: P O’Brien; O McCarthy, C Coakley, C Long; J O’Sullivan, E Cantwell, Jerry O’Donovan; S O’Sullivan, K Morgan; L Fogarty, J Walsh, C Perrott; R Cregan, P Lynch, D Garvan.

Subs: C O’Leary for Perrott (40), E O’Meara for Cantwell (47), R Harrington for S O’Sullivan, A O’Brien for Long (both 49).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).