Senior Hurling League 2006 Round 2

Evening Echo Senior hurling league.

Played at Church Road Sunday morning 26th March.

Blackrock 1 --- 11 Bride Rovers 1 --- 7.

Played in heavy rain by two very committed teams the result of this game was in doubt to the very end until two points from placed balls in the final minutes from Adrian Coughlan secured both points for Blackrock. On a day when scores from play were at a premium Adrian contributed a total of 1 --- 8 to the Blackrock total, one of these points coming from play.

The first half saw some excellent play from Bride Rovers epitomised by the efforts of Sean Ryan in the left corner who scored a fine point in the 13th minute. Adrian Coughlan and Barry Johnson had earlier exchanged points from frees. Ryan then doubled on a dropping ball to the net in the 15th minute to leave the score at 1 --- 2 to 0 --- 1.

In the 18th minute Adrian Coughlan floated a high ball from a free into the Bride Rovers square and unfortunately for the Rovers keeper Barry Hazelwood, the greasy ball slipped from his fingers to the net. Adrian then added two further points from frees to a point from Barry Johnson to leave the sides level at half time.

Jerome O'Driscoll added a point early in the second half to put Rovers into the lead. Blackrock then upped the pace with David Cashman driving intelligent ball from centre field to the forwards. Brian O'Keeffe added a point. A few minutes later he dispossessed the Rovers keeper and put over a classic point from an acute angle. When Colin O'Leary who won a good share of possession in the half forward line put over a further point, along with a lovely point from Adrian Coughlan following a pass from David Cashman, the Rockies were then ahead by five points after 20 minutes of the second half.

The Rovers however brought it back to two points with a spirited fightback in the final ten minutes. Points from Barry Johnson, Sean Ryan and Michael Collins kept the Rockies on their toes. John Browne and Fergal Ryan did some excellent work in the back lines to combat the siege aided in the second half by T.J.Coughlan as the pressure was intense. David Cashman again had a fine game, his doubling of the ball and his general ball control a highlight. Adrian Coughlans value to the team is reflected in his scoring contribution for the second game in a row. Colin O'Leary again impressed with his general workrate while substitute Derek Gosnell also worked hard.

John Arnold, Bride Rovers manager was pleased with their comeback and felt his team had done well in spite of the conditions. Padraig Murphy did some great work at centre field while Donal and Sean Ryan also put in a good hours work. Dave Keane's side now has four points in the bag and on the day when hurling was difficult the commitment of his players must give grounds for optimism even at this early stage of the season.

Blackrock Team.

Frank Barry, Sean Murphy, John Browne, Richard Curtin; Ian Walsh, Fergal Ryan, Mark Russell; Adrian Coughlan, David Cashman, Brian O'Keeffe, Chris Murphy, Alan Browne; Barry Hennebry, Colin O'Leary, Ger Buckley.

Subs used; TJCoughlan, Derek Gosnell, Kevin Murphy.