Frustration for Blackrock as Duhallow earn final reprieve

Blackrock 1-12 Duhallow 1-12: A courageous fightback by 14-man Duhallow earned them a deserved draw in the Cork U21AHC final at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday. 

Despite their numerical disadvantage for almost three-quarters of the game, substitute James Fitzpatrick batted the ball to the net in the third minute of injury-time after a rasping shot from Donal Hannon was initially saved by goalkeeper Gavin Connolly.

“We are immensely proud of the calibre of players we are producing in Duhallow,” said Tim Burke. “We knew it was going to be a real character test. But there is a great buzz in our camp and they are all great buddies. There were fellas who didn’t get to start, including James Fitz, but he kept his head up, came in, and put away the goal.”