Junior A Championship City Final

Blackrock 2 --- 18 Passage 1 --- 13.

Once again a very accomplished performance by this Blackrock team, which led from start to finish over a Passage team that tried hard but found the opposition just too strong. While Blackrock began to pull away just before half-time, a second Colin O'Reilly goal after two minutes of the second half effectively ensured there was no way back for Passage as the Rockies were then 8 points to the fore.

Young O'Reilly stamped his class all over this game, having scored 2 goals and 3 points from play; he won possession at will and created many chances for his team-mates. Both his goals were well taken, his first coming after 15 minutes, while he caused chaos in the Passage defence with his strong running once he obtained possession.

This was very much a team performance with all areas contributing to the success. The Rockies started with Dave Dempsey at fullback in a move designed to curtail the veteran Harrington who has been putting away many scores on the road to the final. Richard Curtin appeared later in the second half. While Passage showed some early promise, their scores came mainly from frees by Seamus Forde. Enda Kiely was also putting them over for Blackrock and finished with a personal tally of 11 points, (8 frees, two 65s and a point from play.

A key moment occurred in the 10th minute when Frank Barry brought off a wonderful flying save from blood substitute Keith Fitzpatrick, the ball was cleared, leading to a Blackrock free which Enda Kiely duly converted. Blackrock led at half-time by 1 --- 11 to 0 --- 9 and once O'Reillys goal went in, followed by a wonder point from half back T.J.Coughlan who struck the ball just 55 meters from his own posts, the match was as good as over.

Stephen O'Keeffe and Ronan Coakley cut off all supply to the Passage forwards, while Colin O'Reilly won possession and sprayed passes to Enda Kiely and Pat O'Sullivan who obtained further scores. Enda Kiely converted most of the remaining frees into points. Passage scored a consolation goal in the 32nd minute from Fitzpatrick, but it was too late as they faced another heartbreaking defeat.

Chairman of the City Board, Niall O'Cathain presented the Dan Hyde Memorial Cup to Blackrock captain Frank Barry. The City Division first presented the Cup in 1973 when it last made its way to Blackrock. Colin O' Reilly received the Man of the Match award. Blackrock now play the Carbery representatives in the next round of the County Junior Championship.

Scorers. Enda Kiely 11 points (eight frees, two 65s and a point from play) Colin O'Reilly 2 --- 3. Pat O'Sullivan 2 points Ken O'Connell 1 point. T J Coughlan 1 point.

Team and Panel.

Frank Barry (Capt).

Ger Murphy

Dave Dempsey

Larry Guinan

T J Coughlan,

Stephen O'Keeffe

Ronan Coakley

Ian Walsh

Aidan Ryan

Enda Kiely

Colin O'Reilly

Ken O'Connell

Colm O'Flaherty

Pat O'Sullivan

Richard Curtin.

John Cormack

David O'Leary

Keith O'Riordan

Liam O'Brien

Colm Crowley

Chris Murphy

Shane Waters

Geoff Morton

Anthony Madden

Niall O'Reilly

Paudie O'Neill

Martin O'Keeffe

Kieran Ryan

Kevin Falvey

Paul Mills

Alan Mc Gee

Gary Norberg

Mark Horgan

Alan Russell

Mark Russell

Thomas Coughlan

Bryan Cashman

Selectors

Tom Ahern

Ger Coughlan

Alan Duggan

Michael Harrington

Wally McCarthy

Alan McGee

Trainers

Tom Cashman

Jim Cashman

Liam Meaney.