Coughlan the difference as Rockies stumble through

HARDLY the start Dave Keane wanted, but the new Blackrock coach will still be happy his charges are through to the next round of the Evening Echo Cork County SHC after a very poor clash with Castlelyons at Carrigtwohill last night.

And the Rockies, who had 15 wides, will be thankful for the steady shooting of Adrian Coughlan who contributed 11 points in all. Only Alan Browne and Barry Hennebry upfront contributed to their cause and it’s clear both Keane and Blackrock have a lot of work to do.

Castlelyons, with Ciaran McGann having an outstanding game at centre back played their part but apart from Eoin Fitzgerald up front, they too struggled for scores.

Castlelyons started the better with Timmy McCarthy and Eamon Fitzgerald pointing inside the opening five minutes. And with a bit of luck, Eoin Fitzgerald could have had a goal.

But gradually the Rockies settled down with Hennebry pointing in the eighth minute and four minutes later Coughlan had the sides level with a 65. Both sides had their chances and with McGann in excellent form there were no more scores in the opening quarter.

Hennebry, who was giving Willie O’Riordan plenty to think about, again put the Rockies ahead but there was still plenty of hurling in Castlelyons. Leo Sexton, who had two fine points for the East Cork side, tied up the scores and it wasn’t until Alan Browne came out on McGann that Blackrock began to show a bit of menace as Browne and the free taking of Coughlan shot the city side 0-7 to 0-5 clear at the break.

It took a fine save from Castlelyons keeper, Brian Sheehan to deny Liam Meaney after the restart, Coughlan pointing the 65 but with Brian O’Keeffe struggling up front Blackrock were finding it tough to score. Not that Castlelyons were faring any better. Eoin Fitzgerald did reduce the gap but that’s all the scoring, a poor quality third quarter produced as Blackrock led 0-8 to 0-6.

The game did pick up in the final 15 minutes and after Coughlan stretched Blackrock’s lead from play, Castlelyons sparked into action. Eoin Fitzgerald pointed, Steve Barrett fired over a long free and when the excellent Fitzgerald pointed the equaliser in the 54th minute, the game was in the melting pot.

But the last say went to Blackrock. Despite Castlelyons’ battling qualities, Coughlan’s superb accuracy from frees brought Blackrock through and left the East Cork side facing a tilt with Douglas or Midleton to stay in the championship.

Scorers: Blackrock: A. Coughlan 0-11 (0-6f, 0-3 65), B. Hennebry 0-2, A. Browne 0-1. Castlelyons; Eoin Fitzgerald 0-4 (0-1f), L. Sexton, S. Barrett (0-1f), 0-2 each, J. McCarthy, Eamon Fitzgerald 0-1.

BLACKROCK: F. Barry, W. Sherlock, J. Browne, C. Murphy, C. Connery, F. Ryan, S. Murphy, A. Coughlan, D. Cashman, C. O’Leary, L. Meaney, C. O’Reilly, B. O’Keeffe, A. Browne, B. Hennebrey.

CASTLELYONS: B. Sheehan, W. O’Riordan, B. O’Connell, S. Kenny, MS Dorgan, C. McGann, B. Fitzgerald, S. Barrett, F. Waters, J. McCarthy, W. Martin, Eamon Fitzgerald, L. Sexton, Eoin Fitzgerald, S. McCarthy.

Referee: K. Healy (Ballymartle).