Denis Walsh hails Carrigtwohill's battling qualities after dramatic victory over Na Piarsaigh

While the loss of a seven-point lead in their last Co-op SuperStores SAHC group game might not have been what Carrigtwohill wanted, it served them in good stead in Friday’s quarter-final against Na Piarsaigh.

The advantage they held against Ballinhassig at Páirc Uí Rinn was wiped out, though a draw still secured qualification for the knockout stages; on the other side of the equation against the city side at the same venue, they trailed by six but battled back to send the game to extra time and then penalties before prevailing.

That the team refused to give in was something that made Carrigtwohill manager Denis Walsh proud.

“Yeah, massive encouragement,” he said.

“The lads, against Ballinhassig we were pegged back from seven points up and after 59 minutes, we were going with the championship and they turned it around in the last six minutes, including the stoppage time.

“It was the same thing here, how many times tonight were we going with the championship? They just refused to die, they refused to lie down.

Never stop

“They kept going and, with any team, you just hope that they’ll do that, regardless of how you're hurling, that they just don't stop, and they didn't stop.

“In fairness to our lads, they showed incredible character because they didn't have their best stuff tonight by any means – we didn't hurl the way we can.

Obviously, Na Piarsaigh were a big factor in that, because they were very good and didn't allow us to play the way we normally might or would.

“Look, we've said it a million times, but it's always true – that's no way to lose a match or no way to decide a match, penalties after a titanic game, an absolutely titanic game for 85 or 90 minutes.

“I know it’s a tight calendar and a tight schedule and there's no room for replays and stuff like that, but it’s still a cruel way for them to go. We had it ourselves a few hours ago, we were relegated on penalties by Charleville and they changed the rule after that for the relegation.”

In matching their achievement of last year in making the last four, Carrigtwohill will now lock horns with Blarney.

An injury list must be contended with – Seán Walsh remains out, though Justin Oke is likely to be available after a storming display off the bench on Friday.

Walsh is fully aware of the size of the task at hand, but the key factor is that they are there.

“Look, they're the favourites for the county, they've been the favourites all year.

“They have a savage team, obviously, with their three Cork seniors and the whole lot, we'll be underdogs, but what harm, that's perfect.

“We'll try and get fellas back in one piece, try and get fellas rested and fit and back on the pitch in two weeks.

“It's great to be there – that was our target at the start of the year, to get back to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, that's everyone's target, so we're thrilled to be going there in two weeks' time.”