J.H.L.-2A   Play Off

July 13th 2025

Blackrock 1 – 19 V 1 – 12 Nemo Rangers @ Church Road.

Report by Roger Ryan

Our Junior 2 team put in a sterling performance at Church Road on Sunday morning in the J.H.L. Play-Off and thus qualified for the final stages of the J.H.League.

Played in brilliant sunshine and a very fast and firm surface, our boys opened well against the breeze and a point each from Barry Grainger and James Allen soon had us ahead. Kyle Leahy added a point, and this was followed by a goal and a point from James Allen to leave the score at Rockies 1 – 04, Nemo 0 – 01 with about 15 minutes elapsed. Nemo's second point was quickly answered by a similar score from Luke Fogarty. Nemo then set about reducing the lead and 3 points on the trot had them back to within 3 points of us at 1 – 05 to 0 – 05.

Paddy Lynch chipped in with a point, Nemo replied with a similar score and Paddy duly obliged with another point. With half-time approaching, Nemo made a determined burst and got through for a goal to leave the score at 1 – 07 to 1 – 06 as the Ref blew for a well-earned break. Our scorers in this half were: James Allen 1 – 02, Paddy Lynch 0 – 02, Barry Grainger 0 – 01, Luke Fogarty 0 – 01, Kyle Leahy 0 – 01.

Jack O'Sullivan, Barry Grainger, and James Allen with a point each soon had us 4 points ahead again. Nemo replied with the next 2 points to reduce our lead to two, but James Allen's next point was followed up by 3 points on the trot from Barry Grainger to push the score to 1 – 14 to 1 – 08. Nemo with the next 2 points brought it back to 4 but our boys were on a roll now and really piled on the pressure with James Allen, Paddy Lynch, Barry Grainger, and Brian Lynch all scoring a point each. It was now 1 – 18 to 1 – 10 and a Nemo point was quickly answered by Paddy Lynch. Nemo had the closing score of a point leave the final score reading 1 – 19 to 1 – 12.

This was a great overall team effort and we look forward to the next stages of the competition.

Paul O'Brien's long puck-outs were eagerly pounced on by our centre field and half-forwards where James Allen, Paddy Lynch and Barry Grainger were a constant threat in front of goal. Cian Coughlan was a commanding figure at centre-back while Sean Cormack, Tom Monaghan and Ronan Lyden provided good cover for our goalie Pobs.

 Scorers in the second half were: Barry Grainger 0 – 05, James Allen 0 – 03, Paddy Lynch 0 – 02, Jack O'Sullivan 0 – 01, Brian Lynch 0 – 01.

Total Scorers: James Allen 1 – 05(03f), Barry Grainger 0 – 06. Paddy Lynch 0 – 04, Luke Fogarty 0 – 01, Kyle Leahy 0 – 01, Jack O'Sullivan 0 - 01, Brian Lynch 0 – 01.

Team: Paul O'Brien, Sean Cormack, Tom Monaghan, Ronan Lyden, Darragh Browne, Cian Coughlan, Scott O'Sullivan, Luke Fogarty C, Jack O'Sullivan, Peter Cotter, Kyle Leahy, Barry Grainger, Peter Leneghan, Paddy Lynch, James Allen.

Subs Used: Brian Lynch, Denis Moran, Conor Sweeney.

Referee: John Horgan.