Saturday 7th November 2009.

Junior A League Final played at Church Road.

Blackrock 2 – 12 Rathpeacon 0 – 8

click on picture to enlarge

LtoR: Team members Ian White, Pat O'Sullivan (captain), and Colm Daly with the Corn Seamus Mac Aodh Bhui Cup for the 2009 City Junior A League.

Pat O'Sullivan (captain),

A powerful first half display from a youthful Blackrock team established the firm foundation for this hard fought victory. Played in heavy wintery, bleak conditions at Church Road before a fine crowd, the bitter cold rain mercifully held off until just after the final whistle.

Archbishop Croke may once have railed about “effeminate follies” over 125 years ago, but there was little evidence of these problems at Church Road as the Rockies went about the job to capture the Corn Seamus Mac Aodh Bhui * trophy for 2009 with purpose and resolve and rewarded the confidence placed in them all year by team manager Aidan Long and his backroom team.

Marksman O’Sullivan

The game took a while to settle and the scores were one point each after 10 minutes, however a series of frees as a result of Rocky pressure enabled ace marksman Pat O’Sullivan to put over some great points in spite of a heavy sliotar. After 15 minutes corner forward Mike Ahern turned sharply and broke through to grab a fine goal.

The Blackrock forwards won a lot of ball with Gearoid Magner and Kevin Falvey charging into the Rathpeacon defence and Pat O’Sullivan converting the frees.

Class goal.

Playing with a strong wind, the Rockies maintained the pressure. Following a foul on Elliot Cantwell and the issue of a yellow card to a Rathpeacon player, goalie Paul O’Brien dropped a fine ball into the Rathpeacon goal. Mike Ahern in one motion brought down the dropping ball and doubled straight to the net. This was a class goal worthy of any hurling occasion and set the Rockies up as they led 2 – 10 to 0 – 2 at the interval.

With the gale at their backs, Rathpeacon started well in the second half and within 8 minutes had narrowed the lead by four points. The Rockies then steadied the ship, by withdrawing forwards to defense and gradually slowed down the Rathpeacon attacks.

The Rocky defense was outstanding; Paul O’Brien in goal was sharp as usual, while Alex Hogan and fullback Ian Giltenan displayed great resolve under pressure. Mid way through the second half corner back Colm Daly prevented a certain goal when he scooped up a ball on the goal line to execute a fine clearance. Try and they might the Rath lads could not get the all important goal.

Cantwell imperious

The half backs, Ronan Coakley, Elliot Cantwell and Ruairi Wedel were solid and tenacious and ever involved thus denying Rathpeacon any leeway. The high fielding of Elliot Cantwell, fresh from the recent Minor County win was sublime. This line of defense was superb.

Mike O’Donoghues long deliveries against the wind time and again provided breathing space to the Rocky defense, while his fellow midfielder Shane Norberg blocked and harried ensured no Rathpeacon attack developed momentum. The forwards faded somewhat in the second half but the elements played a part in this. Conor Kilcoyne made some excellent forward thrusts, showing mavellous skill but was allowed little room.

When Pat O’Sullivan banged over a point from play with 10 minutes left, it was curtains for a brave Rathpeacon. This was followed by an excellent effort from Declan Dempsey in the final minutes. Two points from frees closed the scoring for Rathpeacon to leave the final score at 2 – 12 to 0 – 8. Soon afterwards referee Kevin O’Driscoll, whose judicious use of the whistle kept proceedings flowing called fulltime.

Crucial scores.

This game was fought out by two fine committed sides which played good quality hurling throughout in spite of the conditions. However there was no doubting the Rockies sheer primal determination to win this game. The two goals from Mike Ahern were crucial, gave confidence to the many young players who have come up from the underage ranks and provided the springboard for ultimate victory.

Donal O’Connor of the City Board presented the trophy to proud captain, Pat O’Sullivan, whose points sealed the victory, the triumphal scenes of the Rocky players and their supporters showed how much it meant to them.

This side who has trained together since last January displayed a unity of purpose which must have thrilled their popular manager, Aidan Long and mentors. It was evident too from the crowd reaction that the panel has gained the admiration of the Rocky supporters for their great spirit. It is unlikely there will be any displays of player power from this bunch of lads who have hurled all year and continue to do so with a pure passion for the game. I think the old hurler of sixty six years would have answered positively!

“ I asked his opinion what had he to say, Of the men of the past and the boys of today, He answered me with a gleam in his eye, Can you equal the men of the days that’s gone by For the men of today are chips off the block, Of the men that won credit for Cork and Blackrock.”

Blackrock:

Paul O’Brien, Alex Hogan, Ian Giltenan, Colm Daly, Ronan Coakley, Elliot Cantwell, Ruairi Wedel, Shane Norberg, Mike O’Donoghue,(0 – 1) Kevin Falvey, Gearoid Magner, Conor Kilcoyne,Declan Dempsey,(0 – 1) Pat O’Sullivan,(0 – 10) Mike Ahern.(2 – 0) Subs used: Greg Maher, Ian White, John Paul Treacy, Paul Mills and Paudie O’Neill.

Colin Murphy, Ciaran O’Herlihy,Darren Griffin, John Naughton, Ronan Murphy, Tomas Walsh, Dan O’Hanlon, Conor Harding, Donal Cremin, Ger O’Reagan, Michael Doody,Timmy O’Neill.

Manager: Aidan Long.

Trainer: Tony Madden.

Selectors: Maurice Duggan, Alan Duggan, Cullen Dempsey.

* The Corn Seamus Mac Aodh Bhui trophy was originally presented to the City Board, by the referees of the Division.