SAHC: Blarney captain Patrick Crowley focused on performance as Carrigtwohill test looms

Blarney captain Patrick Crowley says last year’s semi-final defeat has long been parked, but the lessons taken from that loss continue to shape the group as they get ready for Saturday’s Co‑Op SuperStores SAHC semi-final against Carrigtwohill at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (5.15pm).

Crowley doesn’t dress it up. Conceding four goals to Castlelyons at the same stage last season hurt, and the winter that followed was a long one. But he stresses that dwelling on it was never an option.

“We weren't happy with the way the game went against Castlelyons," he says.

"In fairness, they were very good on the day. We took a month to six weeks off afterwards and then we were back into it, back into the gym and getting going with our running. 

"We learned from it, put it behind us, and just drove on for the next year. That’s all you can do really.” 

If last year’s exit lingered, it didn’t weigh them down. Instead, Crowley feels the group has quietly matured. 

There’s no dramatic reinvention, no sweeping changes — just a squad that has steadily grown together. Paul O'Leary is back as manager this season.

“There was a lot of work done over the last couple of years,” he said. 

“Players have been involved in this team for a long time now. There’s a lot of games played by lads, so there’s a bit of experience coming into the team as well. 

"It’s always nice to have a new opinion in the group, and young fellas coming in freshen things up. There’s a lot of competition for places, keeping things spicy in training.” 

That internal drive has been evident across the campaign, and Blarney’s direct passage to the semi-final — their first time doing so under the new structure — has added another layer to the season.

Crowley explains that the club’s footballers have played a central role in keeping the hurlers sharp.

“We’ve been playing football and the whole parish is kind of rolling in behind the club,” he states.

“We played our football championship against Aghabullogue and won that game. So it’s been a mix — football and hurling training. Match fitness, no matter where you get it from, is always good. 

"You get more out of a game than you would out of training. Players are in good form and they’re happy to be still playing hurling at this time of year.” 

Carrigtwohill arrive buoyed by their dramatic quarter-final win over Na Piarsaigh, a penalty shootout that will have injected serious momentum into their camp. Crowley knows exactly what’s coming.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” he says. 

“They’re going to get a huge lift off that Na Piarsaigh game. No doubt we’re going to be up against it. It’s going to be a very tough challenge.

“We’re looking forward to it, as I expect Carrigtwohill are too. We’re really just focusing on what we can do on the day and trying to get a performance out of ourselves.”