Barrett's barrage is enough as Blarney resist Courcey onslaught in a thriller
STRETCHING ALL THE WAY: Blarney goalkeeper Paul Hallissey attempting to block the advance of Courcey Rovers Sean O'Tuama. Pic: Denis Boyle
A Shane Barrett inspired Blarney booked their place in the knockout stages of the Co-op Superstores Cork SAHC after they defeated Courcey Rovers in a rip roaring battle in Riverstick this evening.
The Cork star hit 0-11, 0-6 from play, was fouled for numerous frees and also laid three points on a plate for his colleagues.
In the end, Blarney had that bit more scoring power, though Sean Twomey was outstanding for Courceys, as he hit 1-1 and made their other two goals. Blarney will now play Na Piarsaigh for the right to finish on top of Group 1, while Courceys will meet Carrigtwohill hoping to avoid a flirtation with relegation.
They led by 1-11 to 2-5 at the interval and after a high-octane opening period, the third quarter was a bit quieter. Courceys edged it by 0-5 to 0-4 with Richie Sweetnam unerring from frees while Twomey and Tadhg O'Sullivan were also on target. Cian and Shane Barret, along with Mark Coleman and Peter Philpott were on target for Blarney, leaving them two up going into the final quarter.
Then it looked like Blarney were to kick convincingly for home. Two points from Shane Barrett and one each from Padraig Power and Cathal McCarthy eclipsed another Sweetnam free, and it was 1-19 to 2-11 with eight to play.
Twomey then put the cat amongst the pigeons when he fed Rory O'Callaghan who planted the ball home. Barrett and Power put Blarney back in control, but when frees from Sweetnam and Aidan O'Donovan sandwiched Power's third, there were three in it as the clock went into the red.
Aidan O'Donovan then gave Dan O'Donovan a late sniff at goal, but the chance was gone in a blink of an eye allowing Coleman to strike over the insurance score. Much as they did against Carrigtwohill in Round 1, Blarney hit the ground running and had 1-5 on the board inside twelve minutes. Shane Barret hit two frees and one from play while McCarthy had clipped 1-2.
The goal came in the ninth minute after a strong Denis McSweeny run that ended up with Stephen Nyhan saving from Cian Barrett, but McCarthy was there to sweep the rebound home. All Courceys had in response was two Richie Sweetnam frees, but they were to soon be back in business.
Another Sweetnam free and a point from Olan Crowley sandwiched an Eoghan Kirby point for Blarney before Sean Twomey left his mark on proceedings. He fetched a long ball from Fergus Lordan before feeding Aidan O'Donovan who finished smartly to the net. Game on. Blarney's response was impressive, as Shane Barrett hit three in-a-row, but Twomey had a thirst for more.
Sean Guiheen had been imploring his team to press the ball, and when Twomey successfully overturned a wandering Paul Hallissey, he had the strength to break through and bag his team's second goal. Blarney responded well again, as McSweeney and Barrett hit the last two scores of the half to leave Blarney leading by 1-11 to 2-5 at the break.
They had extended that lead to four by the final whistle and they can now start to think a little bit bigger.
S Barrett (0-11, 0-5 frees), C McCarthy (1-3), P Power (0-3), M Coleman (0-2, 0-1 free), P Philpott, D McSweeney, E Kirby and C Barrett (0-1 each).
R Sweetnam (0-9, 0-8 frees), S Twomey and A O’Donovan (0-1 free) (1-1 each), R O’Callaghan (1-0), O Crowley and T O’Sullivan (0-1 each).
P Hallissey; A McEvoy, C Power, S Mullane; P Philpott, D Hanlon, M Coleman (c); O Hegarty, C Hegarty; D McSweeney, S Barrett, E Kirby; C Barrett, P Power, C McCarthy.
S Mulcahy for Kirby (44), J O’Keeffe for McSweeney (60), M O’Leary for McCarthy (52).
S Nyhan; B Mulcahy, K Collins, D Collins; F Lordan (c), M Collins, C Roche; L Collins, DJ Twomey; T O’Sullivan, O Crowley, R Sweetnam; B Ryan, S Twomey, A O’Donovan.
R O’Callaghan fro Crowley (h/t), D O’Donovan for Sweetnam (57).
Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).
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