Feile 2004 County Final

Feile final.

Sunday 16th May 2004 at Ballinlough.

Blackrock 4 --- 6 Na Piarsaigh 3 --- 15.

A blistering 10 minute spell between the 7th and the 17th minutes of the first half in which na Piarsaigh scored 2 --- 6 without reply was the main difference between these two fine hurling teams. Although the Rockies fought back from 13 points behind at one stage to leave it at 2 --- 11 to 2 --- 6 at half time, lethal damage had been inflicted and not even their bravest efforts where they came within 4 points and then missed several goal chances could pull it off.

It was a rip roaring contest in the heat, played before one of the largest crowds ever to witness an under 14 game. The standard of hurling was very high, a credit to all the players and their clubs. Even allowing for the nerves and pressure of the occasion they all played hurling with passion and skill and sportmanship and one can look forward with anticipation to their next meeting.

The difference in stick work was obvious; Na Piarsaigh had all the deft touches aquired from endless hours in their magnificent hurling hall, while the Rockies were dependent to some extent on sheer heart and passion. 18 scores to 10 over the hour summed it up, yet if the Rockies had been more clinical around the goal especially in the final 15 minutes, the result could have been very different indeed.

The Na Piarsaigh forwards however were a class apart in the first quarter and were able to put the ball over from all angles, they were helped somewhat by very loose Blackrock marking in several areas of the field. Eoin Moynihan, Shane O' Connor and Ian McDonnell were excellent all through. Timmy Lynch and Darren Walsh were excellent.

For Blackrock, Pat McCarthy at full forward picked off two goals, however a lack of scoring power in the forwards meant the Rockies were always chasing the game. However they showed great courage to survive the early onslaught and come very close in the end. Robert Creagh was outstanding in goal, Ciaran O'Shaughnessy and Sean Long had fine games while Patrick Parfrey was a class apart. Stephen McCarthy and Eoin Buckley tried hard all through.

It will have been a useful exercise for the Church Road side if lessons are learnt about close marking and the taking of chances when presented. It was a great experience for the young Rockies to have played in this final and if the hunger for success remains then the future for this team could be very bright indeed. To Na Piarsaigh go the honour of representing Cork at the All-Ireland feile and everyone in Blackrock wishes them the very best of luck.

Blackrock team. Robert Creagh, Brian Parsons, Ray Norberg, Ciaran O'Shaughnessy, Conor Kilcoyne, Patrick Parfrey, (capt.) Ciaran O'herlihy, Richard Dineen, Simon Zebo, Stephen McCarthy, Eoin Buckley, David Hill, Olan Kelleher, Patrick McCarthy, Eoin O'Farrell. Subs used, Sean Long, Patrick Deasy.

Scorers; Patrick McCarthy 2 --- 1, Olan Kelleher 1 --- 1, Eoin O'Farrell 1 --- 0, Patrick Parfrey 0 --- 3, Stephen McCarthy 0 --- 1.