Junior B HurlingChampionship S/F
Sun. Oct. 15th @ Ballinlough

Blackrock 1 – 09 V Douglas 2 – 13 ​

Report:  Roger Ryan

Following a wholehearted and gritty performance, our Junior B Hurlers were defeated by our neighbours Douglas in the semi-final of the Championship at sun-splashed Ballinlough on Sunday morning on a score of Rockies 1 – 09, Douglas 2 – 13.

The game started at a very lively pace with both the Rockies and Douglas 1 - 6 trading an opening point. Our score came from the accurate stick of Paul O'Brien hereafter referred to as POBs. Eoin De Burcva edged us ahead with the next point and Douglas levelled from a free. Douglas pushed ahead but POBs soon levelled again from a 65 and he then put us ahead again with a pointed free. The score now read Rockies 0 – 4, Douglas 0 – 3. Douglas from a free reached parity and then in the 20th minute, took the lead with a point from play. This was followed by a point from play by POBs to level and Eoin De Burca with his second point had us ahead as the clock read 25 minutes elapsed. Against the run of play, Douglas then scored a goal and added a further point to lead at half time on a score of Rockies 0 – 6, Douglas 1 – 6.

The selectors made some changes and Brian O'Leary and David Cashman lined out for the second half. Eoin De Burca opened the scoring in this half with a point but Douglas pointed a 65 to retain their 3 points advantage, before David Healy was introduced to the fray. POBs then traded point's with Douglas to put us within 2 points of Douglas again but Douglas took the initiative at this stage and with 5 points on the trot, built up a nice lead of 7 points, 0 – 8 to 1 – 12. POBs redressed the situation though when he latched on to a speculative lob at the edge of the square and with the swerve of a ballet dancer and a deft flick of the wrists, he firmly planted the sliothar in the back of the Douglas net. Game on now as we came within 4 points of them 1 – 8 to 1 – 12. Dara Hayes made an appearance at this stage and things improved again when Eoin Coughlan pointed a free to put us within one score of Douglas, Rockies 1 – 09 to 1 – 12. Time was running out now and try as we may, we couldn't get the all important score to bring us level. To make matters worse, Douglas pointed a free and scrambled a second goal on the call of time to emerge winners by 7 points.

Great credit is due to this panel of players and their mentors for putting in some sterling performances throughout the year and for reaching the semi-final stage, the only adult team to do so this year.

Scorers: Paul O'Brien 1 - 05 (02f), (1-65), 02. Eoin De Burca 0 – 03, Eoin Coughlan 0 – 01(F).

Team: Conor Sweeney, Dan Linehan, Cian Mc Carthy, Oscar Mc Carthy, Aenghus Ó Drisceoil, Ronan Buckley, Dan Tyner, Kevin Morgan, Hugh Espey, Peter Cotter, Luke Fogarty, Eoin Coughlan, Fionáin Leahy, Eoin De Búrca, Paul O'Brien. Subs Used: Brian O'Leary, Dave Cashman, Dave Healy, Dara Hayes.

Referee: Paddy O'Sullivan, Bishopstown.