Fri. Aug. 15th. P.S.H.C.  

Blackrock 2 – 25 V 2 – 14 St.Finbarrs @ Pairc Ui Rinn.​

Report by Roger Ryan

Following an outstanding display of top-class hurling, our Senior Team emerged victorious over St. Finbarrs in the Premier Senior Hurling Championship at Pairc Ui Rinn on Friday evening with 11 points to spare on a score of Rockies 2 – 25 to Barrs 2 – 14. Our boys set out their stall early and had 5 points on the board before the Barrs registered their first score---a point. Kevin O'Keeffe with a sweet stroke from the middle of the field had our first point, John Cashman followed suit and Alan Connolly sent over a free for our third. Niall Cashman was next to score and he was followed by Robbie Cotter and suddenly we were 5 points ahead. The Barrs opening point was equalled by Ryan Sweeney and the Barrs scored again to leave it at 0 – 06 to 0 – 02. Then, midway through the first half, Tadhg Deasy took off on one of his explosive runs runs up-field and after evading several tackles he unleashed a piledriver towards the corner of the net. Somehow the Barrs goalie Shane Hurley managed to parry the sliothar out and the vigilant Michael O'Halloran was on hand to return it to the back of the net for our first goal. The score now stood at Rockies 1 – 06, Barrs 0 – 02. Our boys were looking good at this stage and more importantly they were hurling with great confidence and skill. Alan Connolly and Ryan Sweeney tacked on a point each, the Barrs scored a point and Robbie answered with a point to leave the score at Rockies 1 – 09, Barrs 0 – 03. Gavin Connolly with a mighty long-range free added a point and Michael O'Halloran chipped in with a point to put us ahead by 11 points lead 1 – 11 to 0 – 03. The Barrs then scored 2 points followed by a goal to reduce our lead to 6 points but Robbie and Alan soon had it back to 8 when they added a point each. With half time approaching the Barrs closed out the first half with a point to bring the score to 1 – 13 to 1 – 06'

The Barrs had the opening score of the second half – a point, Kevin replied with a similar score before the Barrs had the next 2 points on the trot to leave the score at 1 – 14 to 1 – 09. Ryan Sweeney with 1 point followed by 2 points from Alan Connolly pushed us 8 ahead as the board read Rockies 1 – 17, Barrs 1 – 09. Ryan Sweeney then unleashed a piledriver which seemed destined for the cornet of the net but the Barrs goalie diverted it out for a 65. Alan Connolly duly pointed the resultant free. Shortly after that Michael O'Halloran crashed home his second goal, this was followed by a point from Niall Cashman. The Barr's then added 3 points before Michael O'Halloran had our next point to bring the score to 2 – 20 to 1 – 12.

The Barr's then scored their second goal from a penalty, Alan Connolly added a point and the Barr s had the next 2 points to leave 7 between us 2 – 21 to 2 – 14. Time was now running out but our boys weren't finished yet as first, Alan Connolly put over a point followed by Peter Linehan and Niall Cashman closed out the game with 2 points to leave the final score at Rockies 2 – 25, Barr's 2 – 14.

Scorers: Alan Connolly 0 – 07(03f, 01-65), Michael O'Halloran 2 – 01, Niall Cashman 0 – 04, Robbie Cotter 0 – 03, Ryan Sweeney 0 – 03, Kevin O'Keeffe 0 – 02, John Cashman 0 – 01, Peter Linehan 0 – 01,Fionn Coleman 0 – 01, Gavin Connolly 0 – 01.

Team: Gavin Connolly, Jamie Ryan, Alan O'Callaghan, Stephen Murphy, Cathal Cormack, John Cashman C, Tadhg Deasy, David O'Farrell, Niall Cashman, Ryan Sweeney, Kevin O'Keeffe, Daniel Meaney, Robbie Cotter, Alan Connolly, Michael O'Halloran.

Subs Used: Fionn Coleman, Peter Linehan, Ollie Mc Adoo.