Senior County Hurling Quarter Final Replay 2004

Senior County Championship Quarter Final Replay.

Sunday 3^rd November 2004 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Blackrock 0 --- 18  Glen Rovers 0 --- 11.

Played in dark overcast conditions after heavy rain all morning, this match never caught fire mainly due to the Rockies upping their performance everywhere and after going ahead in the final few minutes of the first half were never seriously troubled by Glen Rovers after that.

Blackrock had six wides in the first 10 minutes from six different players, before Adrian Coughlan put over a fine point from the half way line after 15 minutes. In the 17^th minute Wayne Sherlock had to retire injured, to be replaced by Sean Murphy.

Alan Browne converted a free to level matters two points all after 20 minutes, canceling out scores for the Glen from Cork panellists John Anderson and Graham Callinan.

The reorganised defence had a few tight shaves, but settled down with Chris Murphy keeping a close eye on young Busteed, John Browne doing very well at full back and Sean Murphy covering Seanie McGrath. Trevor Barry was solid in goal. Joe Young and David Cashman exchanged points with Tadhg Murphy and Seanie McGrath to leave it level (four all) at 25 minutes.

Then the Rockies upped their game with Alan Browne moving to the 40 and winning good ball. Three unanswered points from Adrian Coughlan (2) and Brian O’Keeffe left the Rockies ahead at the interval. It was clear however that the Glen lacked penetration up front and was struggling in a number of positions. The Glen had also played with a significant wind in the half.

Joe Young added an extra point after halftime to be countered by John Anderson, while Sean McGrath added another. Then Adrian Coughlan put over three points from three frees in the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th minutes to leave the Rockies four points ahead. Blackrock's half back line of Aidan Ryan, Fergal Ryan and Paul McGrath were by now dominating the exchanges, the Blackrock players were interchanging positions following shrewd sideline decisions, with Paul Tierney operating at centre-field and Joe Young moving forward to claim three points in all. David Cashman won some good ball inside as did Liam Meaney and Brian O’Keeffe.

Colin O’Reilly was introduced to the attack. Alan Browne in particular had a magnificent game, contesting virtually every dropping ball and preoccupied Callinan who was inclined to roam forward in the first half. He introduced an aggressive approach to winning loose ball which the Glen simply could not match.

Joe Young, Alan Browne and Adrian Coughlan (free) and Paul Tierney added further points to a sole reply from Tadhg Murphy to leave the score after 15 minutes of the second half at 15 points to 7, an eight point margin. The Glen hauled back three points when McGrath, Callinan and Anderson pointed over the next five minutes. However in the run in David Cashman and Adrian Coughlan with two frees put the Rockies back in the driving seat. John Anderson concluded the scoring for the Glen as the game drew to its inevitable and predictable conclusion.

The Glen, who came very close last weekend to causing an upset, must have been disappointed especially with the second half performance. Their target men Busteed and Moylan were held scoreless and they were dependent on Callinan (2 points), Anderson (4 points) and McGrath (3 points) to stay in touch.

Blackrock must have been pleased, especially since they had to reorganise the team following Wayne Sherlock’s early departure. Chris and Sean Murphy played well throughout, while the half backline in particular cut off all supply to the Glen forwards. Adrian’s free taking was magnificent, while Alan Browne was excellent up front. The ability of players to play well in different positions was worthy of note in what was a very good team performance. Matches bring on players and the first touch was there today. A worry will obviously be the recovery prospects of Wayne Sherlock.

So Blackrock advance to play in the glamour tie against Na Piarsaigh, who will be the media favourites after their demolition of Sars in the last round. Blackrock will however be under no illusion about what it will take to overcome the northsiders backboned by the O’hAlpin brothers.

Whatever the outcome, Blackrock’s amazing run in the Cork County Championship continues as they have reached a further County semi-final stage following three county titles and two other final appearances since 1998. This is an incredible achievement by all concerned, an achievement which historically ranks with those of the greatest teams in the long history of this championship and the story continues.

Blackrock; Trevor Barry, Wayne Sherlock, John Browne (captain), Chris Murphy, Aidan Ryan, Paul Tierney (0 --- 1), Fergal Ryan, Adrian Coughlan (0 --- 9, 7 frees, 1, 65 and 1 play) Joe Young (0 --- 3) Barry Hennebry, Liam Meaney, Paul McGrath, Brian O’Keeffe (0 --- 1) Alan Browne (0 --- 2, 1f), David Cashman (0 --- 2).

Subs, Sean Murphy, Colin O’Reilly and Derek Gosnell.