THE drawn match had been an engrossing and tightly-balanced affair but Cloyne’s complete superiority ensured there was to be no repeat in Saturday’s Cork SHC third round replay in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

THAT Ballymartle were within two points of Cloyne at half-time in this Cork SHC round two game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday owed much to the brilliance of keeper Declan McCarthy; that they were ahead at the end of the hour, owed just as much to the accuracy from placed balls of his namesake Darren McCarthy in midfield as it did to the corresponding inaccuracy of a succession of Cloyne free-takers.

CLOYNE are guaranteed senior hurling next season, while Blackrock are only 60 minutes away from the ghastly vista of dropping to the intermediate ranks.

CLOYNE are guaranteed senior hurling next season, while Blackrock are only 60 minutes away from the ghastly vista of dropping to the intermediate ranks.