Mick Cashman Cup Finals.

The Rockies captured the Mick Cashman Cup outright for the first time in the 5 year history of the competition when they defeated Blackrock in the final of this competition for 10 year old hurlers on Saturday 22nd September at Church Road. The Barrs won the Mick Cashman Plate with a thrilling victory over Douglas Greens earlier in the day.

Almost 200 expectant young hurlers had congregated at sunny Church Road for the play offs of this Cup and a crowd estimated at 800 attended the games over the course of the afternoon which featured some spectacular underage hurling from the youngsters.

Mick Cashman Plate Final

The Barrs had a narrow win over Douglas Black, while Douglas Greens overcame the challenge of St. Finbarrs to set up the Plate final. Some early goals for the Barrs put them on the road to victory. There were good performances from Dara Baldwin, Liam Harris and Eoin O'Brien while Eoin O'Sullivan, Sean Fielding and Luke O'Connell displayed deft touches for the Barrs. Barrs captain, Billy Hennessy accepted the Cashman Plate from Tom and Jim Cashman.

There were some outstanding games in the Cup play offs. The Bishopstown V Sars game was a cracker. Sean Foley, Mark Hannon and Eoghan Murphy were brilliant for the "Town", while Edward Gaffey, Ryan Murray and Ross Hogan gave great performances for Sars. Shane O'Driscoll got a lovely goal for Sars. Glanmire sprung a surprise when edging out favourites Eire Og. Cian Byrne, Luke and Aidan Hackett worked hard for Glanmire.

Narrow victory.

Blackrock just pulled away from a very brave Bishopstown team with two points in the final minutes from Patrick McDonagh. Martin O'Farrell earlier had scored the goal of the tournament with an absolute unstoppable shot to the top corner. Meanwhile the Rockies with Ciaran Cormack and Conor O'Brien in great form had outfought Eire Og by two goals to set up a surprise Final between the two Church Road sides.

Cup Final.

If anybody had expected that the final would not be taken seriously, then they were sadly mistaken as with local bragging rights also at stake, both sides gave it everything! John Cashman, Martin O'Farrell and Patrick McDonagh played their hearts out for Blackrock while Ciaran Cormack, Brian O'Mahony and Conor and Dara O'Brien matched them stroke for stroke on the Rockies. The capacity crowd was treated to a spectacular exhibition of hurling in a game that was refereed by Christy Ring. Eventually the honours went to the Rockies who were initially regarded as the underdogs by 2 - 3 to 1 - 0.

When Anne Cashman presented the Mick Cashman Cup to winning Rockies captain Ciaran Cormack, it represented the very first time for the famous silverware to rest in Church Road for the complete year. (In 2006 the Cup was shared between Eire Og and Blackrock).

In truth all the boys and their clubs who played in this competition were the real winners. The Rockies management team of John Cormack, Kieran O'Callaghan and Brian Roche were thrilled with their success. Blackrock's background team of Harry Canning, Allan Russell and Mark Dalton were well satisfied with reaching the final

The Blackrock Hurling Club wishes to thank everyone who made a contribution to the positive nature of Mick Cashman Cup 2007. The referees Bobby Thornhill, Brian Roche, Don O'Callaghan and Christy Ring performed impartially and were in control of the games.

The five clubs and the players who took part and their mentors, Sarsfields (Eddie Gaffney), St. Finbarrs (Diarmuid Hurley), Douglas (Aidan O'Connor) Eire OG and Bishopstown. played in the true spirit of the competition and are worthy of the highest praise.

Jodi Crowley was an efficient and effective coordinator and the fact that almost 60 matches in all were played was due to his excellent approach throughout the year.