Blackrock 0-21
Na Piarsaigh 2-14
Fintan O’Toole reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh
CORK U21 MICHAEL O’Halloran fired over the match-winning point to cap a second-half comeback from Blackrock as they ended a 14-year wait for a county senior hurling final appearance this afternoon at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Blackrock were rocked early in the second-half of this semi-final clash as they saw their narrow half-time advantage, 0-12 to 0-11, wiped out when Evan Sheehan was sprung from the bench by Na Piarsaigh at the interval to devastating effect.
Having netted in this year’s All-Ireland minor hurling final, Sheehan showed his scoring instincts as he billowed the net twice inside the opening three minutes of the second half with terrific individual strikes.
But Blackrock remained composed as they steadily chipped away at Na Piarsaigh’s advantage. Sheehan flighted over a point to push Blackrock 2-13 to 0-15 in front by the 44th minute before Blackrock reeled off five points without reply to go in front courtesy of O’Halloran (3), Ger Regan and David Cashman.
Na Piarsaigh captain Eoin Moynihan slotted a 56th minute point from a ’65 to bring the sides level before O’Halloran supplied the priceless winning point, availing of great composure from substitute Cashman to pick him out in space.
Blackrock ultimately deserved their triumph with their powerful finish to the match. O’Halloran was their top scorer but Regan, Shane O’Keeffe and Alan O’Callaghan all made important contributions as well.
In an entertaining opening period, the teams were level on five occasions before Na Piarsaigh, who were spearheaded up front by Padraig Guest and Keith Buckley, were boosted by that brace of goals from Sheehan.
However they were outscored 0-6 to 0-1 in the closing quarter and that statistic proved crucial. Blackrock celebrated with gusto at the final whistle, a 14-year absence has been brought to an end.
Scorers for Blackrock: Michael O’Halloran 0-8 (0-6f), Ger Regan, Shane O’Keeffe 0-3 each, Alan O’Callaghan 0-2, Niall Cashman, Stephen Murphy, David O’Farrell, David Cashman, Liam O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Evan Sheehan 2-1, Padraig Guest 0-5 (0-4f), Keith Buckley 0-4 (0-1f), Eoin Moynihan 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1 ’65), Shane Forde, Christopher Joyce 0-1 each.
Blackrock
1. Gavin Connolly
2. John Cashman
3. Dylan Stokes
4. Gary Norberg
5. Andrew Murphy
6. Eoin Smith
7. Niall Cashman
8. Stephen Murphy
9. David O’Farrell
10. Ger Regan
11. Alan O’Callaghan
12. Shane O’Keeffe
18. Ciaran Cormack
14. Michael O’Halloran
15. John O’Sullivan
Subs
21. Liam O’Sullivan for John O’Sullivan (37)
17. David Cashman for Cormack (42)
28. Daniel Meaney for Andrew Murphy (44)
13. Tadhg Deasy for Liam O’Sullivan (61)
Na Piarsaigh
1. Paul O’Sullivan
2. Adam Dennehy
3. Eddie Gunning
4. Eoin Moynihan (captain)
5. Anthony Dennehy
6. Christopher Joyce
7. Cian Buckley
8. Alan Brady
9. Kelvin Forde
10. Keith Buckley
11. Dayne Lee
12. Patrick Rourke
23. Alan Hogan
14. Shane Forde
15. Padraig Guest
Subs
13. Evan Sheehan for Kelvin Forde (half-time)
26. Gordon Joyce for Hogan (39)
25. Eoghan Hanifin for Guest (52)
9. Kelvin Forde for Brady (56)
Referee: Joe Larkin (Ballinora)
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