Barrett leads the way for Blarney as they overcome Cloyne

Blarney were always in control, the concession of goals in either half though will disappoint them.

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023 - 22:02

Therese O’Callaghan, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

SAHC quarter-final

Blarney 0-24 Cloyne 2-9

Favourites Blarney were made to sweat at different stages by Cloyne, but the mid Cork side were full value for their nine point victory in the Co-Op Superstores Cork SAHC quarter-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night.

Played in wet conditions, and definitely not a night for free-takers, but county player Shane Barrett showed his class with a significant return of 11 points for Blarney - 10 of these brilliantly struck from placed balls.

His inter-county colleague Mark Coleman, whose recovery from a serious knee injury has to be monitored, was introduced at half-time and scored two marvellous points. Eoghan Kirby also came into the fray and bagged a valuable brace that helped book the Muskerry’s side place in the last four against Bride Rovers.

The only bum note was injuries sustained by Alan McEvoy and Denis McSweeney, both of whom left the field in the first-half.

Cloyne, meanwhile, exit the championship, but they played much better than they did at this stage last year when Bride Rovers inflicted a heavy defeat on them.

And similar to Barrett, free-taker Brian O’Shea was immense for their cause.

Blarney were always in control, the concession of goals in either half though will disappoint them.

They sprinted out of the traps and built up a lead of four points inside the first three minutes. Shane Barrett, Denis McSweeney twice and Shane Mulcahy found the range.

But it was Cloyne - with the breeze at their backs - who added four of the next five points, captain O’Shea firing over some delightful scores.

Blarney regained their supremacy to lead 0-9 to 0-5 in stoppage, but the greasy ball deceived Blarney goalkeeper Conor Murphy and Jack Hallihan’s delivery from 60 metres ended in the net.

Shane Barrett’s fifth free left Blarney 0-10 to 1-5 up at the break.

Blarney returned with all guns blazing, forcing a magnificent double save by Ashley Walsh from the Barrett brothers Cian and Shane. They did however notch the first three points.

Cloyne dug in, and Brian Walsh’s 37th minute goal had them right back in the mix, 0-13 to 2-5.

Blarney, the 2020 Premier IHC champions, quickly steadied the ship. Shane Barrett unerring from frees, and approaching the three-quarter mark, Coleman drew the biggest cheer thanks to a pair of points he rifled over from out the field.

With the fourth quarter left to play, they were 0-18 to 2-6 to the good.

O’Shea, who was consistently their main attacking threat, narrowed the gap to five.

Blarney put the game to bed, shooting the final four unanswered points.

Scorers for Blarney: S Barrett (0-11, 0-10 frees), D McSweeney, S Mulcahy, C Barrett, M Coleman and E Kirby (0-2 each), C Power, C Hegarty and P Power (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cloyne: B O’Shea (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65), J Hallihan (1-1), B Walsh (1-0).

BLARNEY: C Murphy; S Crowley, P O’Leary, D Murphy; P Philpott, P Crowley, A McEvoy; S Barrett, O Hegarty; D McSweeney, C Power (Capt), C Hegarty; S Mulcahy, P Power, C Barrett.

Subs: C Dunlea for A McEvoy (7 inj), E Kirby for D McSweeney (20 inj), M Coleman for O Hegarty (half-time), J O’Keeffe for S Mulcahy, W Crowley for C Barrett (both 64).

CLOYNE: A Walsh; T O’Regan, Eoin Motherway, A Sherlock; Éanna Motherway, S Beausang, D Byrne; C Cahill, B Minihane; N Cahill, J Hallihan, B O’Shea (Capt); K Dennehy, B Walsh, M Cahill.

Subs: I Cahill for D Byrne (half-time), C Mullins for M Cahill (39), J Sherlock for B Minihane (44), C Motherway for K Dennehy (53), C O’Sullivan for N Cahill (60).

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).