Barrs and Rockies resume hostilities for classic contest
The 1974 final clash in the Mardyke (Pairc Uí Chaoimh was under construction at the time), the 1977 semi-final and the 1999 quarter-final, were all magical matches, graced by some of the outstanding exponents of the game in those years.
One of them was Eamon Fitzpatrick, who starred in many a thrilling contest with their great southside rivals. Now a selector with the present Blues team, Fitzer, as he is affectionally known, is confidently predicting another epic contest.
“As we are both located on the southside of the city and not too far apart, there is a great healthy rivalry between the clubs, which stretches back almost since the county championship first began”, he said.
“Both clubs have the utmost respect for each other and there has been nothing between us in all our previous outings. In our last meeting in 1999, we went into that game with a very young team and almost surprised them.
“It took a late goal by Fergal Ryan to earn Blackrock a replay which they won and went on to win the county. That year is often recalled when we talk about the Rockies, and we have a score to settle with them.
“Our preparations for tomorrow night have gone well. The team is in great shape and the victory of our intermediate hurlers in the county championship last Sunday has been a tremendous boost to us.
“The intermediate players are our senior subs and their success means there is a lot of competition for places on our top team which is a good thing. It keeps everyone on their toes”.
The ‘Barrs will include the Murray brothers Kevin and Paudie, Pat Cronin, who plays senior hurling with Kerry, and Eddie Burke and they have knitted in well with the home grown players like Fergal O’Mahony, Ronan Curran, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Cathal McCarthy and Michael Ryan.
The mood in the Rockies camp is one of equal confidence that they can maintain their dominance over the Blues. Club secretary Roger Ryan said his side are only too well aware of the challenge the Togher club will pose to their title ambitions. “We remember 1999 only too well and how fortunate we were to get that second chance”, he said.
“Barrs may be down for a couple of years now but you can never write them off.”
Long serving Aidan Ryan is a absentee for the defending champions with a knee injury that is threatening his career, but Stephen O’Keeffe, who joined the club from Ballincollig this year, has slotted into Ryan’s wing back position with ease.
Their six inter-county players, coupled with Liam Meaney, Noel Keane, Barry Hennebry, David Cashman and Paul Tierney, will make Blackrock favourites to advance to the semi-final where they will meet the winners of the Glen/Muskerry replay.
Glen Rovers and Muskerry return to Ballincollig tonight (7.30 pm) to try and resolve their quarter-final replay. The Blackpool side lost an eight point lead in the drawn match and may have also lost their chance as the Mid Cork divisional team can’t be as bad as they were last week.
In football, there are two quarter-finals of the county intermediate championship down for decision. Favourites Ilen Rovers should keep their title hopes on track, meeting Newmarket at Ballingeary tomorrow at 3.30 pm.
Last year’s beaten finalists Nemo Rangers should also advance at Kilmurry’s expense at Ovens tomorrow at 7.45 pm.
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