Senior Hurling League 2006 Final

2006 Senior League Final.

Played at Pairc Ui Rinn on Monday 9th April 2007.

Blackrock 0 - 21 Bride Rovers 3 - 11

This was a great game of hurling and kept the large crowd at Pairc Ui Rinn on Easter Monday evening on their toes for the entire game. It came down to a long range point from a free by Adrian Coughlan in the final minute. The statistics are interesting, 35 scores in 60 minutes, Blackrock scored 0 - 9 from play, Bride Rovers 2 - 7. 71% of the Rockies points came from Adrian Coughlan who once again put on a virtually flawless display of point taking, 11 from frees ( he did miss one!) 1 sixty five and 3 from play.

Over the years, Adrian has put on many displays of point taking, yet this must rank as one of his very best and in the process he broke the hearts of the hurlers from Rathcormac.

By the 12th minute, the Rovers actually led by 2 - 5 to 0 - 2 as they scored points and goals from all over the place. Donal Ryan had banged in an early goal and was followed by Michael Collins from close in while Barry Johnson and Sean Ryan could do no wrong. When goalie Frank Barry received a nasty head wound, the Rockies looked to be in trouble.

However the old hands such as Fergal Ryan and John Browne, Brian O'Keeffe and Alan Browne steadied the ship and with Adrian Coughlan in great form they outscored the Rathcormac side by 0 -7 to 0 - 3 from then until the interval. While Frank Barry resumed his place, Barry Hennebry had to retire injured.

Wayne Sherlock at number 5 was starved of possession as Bride Rovers appeared to direct all traffic towards Fergal Ryan's wing. Consequently Fergal had one of his greatest displays ever in the green and gold!

Blackrock continued to add points early in the second half when David Cashman and Liam Meaney added to the scoreboard, while Adrian Couglan added two from placed balls. With a point in it 2 - 8 to 13 points, Barry Johnson fired in a Bride Rovers penalty in the 40th minute, so the mountain had to be climbed again.

Another point from the same player left 5 points in it with 15 minutes to go. The match by this stage had reached championship intensity, while the large crowd created a brilliant atmosphere as the lights came on for the grand finale.

The Rockies worked hard throughout the field, none more so than the half back line of Fergal Ryan, Joe Young and Wayne Sherlock who virtually shut up shop for the final period. The tenacity of Richard Curtin at corner back also caught the eye as he broke up many attacks with his first time clearances. Attack after attack rolled into the Bride Rovers goal at the Blackrock end, and with Adrian Coughlan pointing regularly with the Rathcormac rearguard under virtual siege, the leveling score came from Gearoid Cleary in the final minute.

The excitement was still not over however as Sean Ryan fired over what looked like the winning point with time almost out. However cometh the hour, cometh the man and with razor like precision Adrian again fired over two frees, the latter from at least 90 yards to clinch victory.

For those lucky enough to be present it will live long in the memory. For Bride Rovers, it was a heart breaking loss as they looked to be home and dry in the first half and again when they were five points up half way through the second half. This was the second year in which they have lost the final by one point. Interestingly in the recent 2007 League game Bride Rovers had beaten the Rockies 1 - 15 to 2 - 11.

For the Rockies it was once again the old adage of playing to the final whistle and taking your chances when they come. Certainly those who say that "the league doesn't matter" were in for a shock. This was as fine and competitive a game of hurling as we are likely to see all year, a fitting tribute to the hurlers of Blackrock and Bride Rovers.

Blackrock: Frank Barry, Richard Curtin, John Browne, TJ Coughlan, Wayne Sherlock, Joe Young, Fergal Ryan, Adrian Coughlan, Derek Gosnell, Colin O'Leary, Chris Murphy, David Cashman, Brian O'Keeffe, Alan Browne, Barry Hennebry.

Subs used, Liam Meaney, Gearoid Cleary and Alan Long (blood sub)

Scorers; Adrian Coughlan (15 points, 11 frees, 1, 65) Brian O'Keeffe 0 - 2, Alan Browne 0 - 1 Liam Meaney 0 - 1 Gearoid Cleary 0 - 1.

Referee, PJ Copps.

click here for pictures from the final