Goals once more the key for Blackrock to end Kanturk dream
Blackrock's Robbie Cotter is tackled by Kanturk's Lorcan McLoughlin, during their Premier SHC quarter-final at Fermoy.
Crucial goals proved to be the vital ingredient in Blackrock’s victory over Kanturk in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC in Fermoy on Saturday. They’ve scored a hat-trick in each of their three group wins, and it was more of the same in this quarter-final that attracted a big crowd to the north Cork venue.
The champions of 2020 returned for the second half on level terms, 1-8 to 0-11, after a tense and tight opening period. But when Fionn Coleman brilliantly controlled a long delivery from captain Cathal Cormack and first-timed the sliotar to the net, the Rockies were on the way.
Quick-fire points followed from Kevin O’Keeffe and sub Ryan Sweeney and suddenly the difference was five.
Three outstanding points from Aidan Walsh and another couple from free-taker Brian O’Sullivan dragged Kanturk back into it, while they were also relieved to see a goal effort from Coleman kept out by Grantus Bucinskas.
They trailed by two points 2-11 to 0-15 at the end of the third quarter, yet they were very much in the mix.
The game, however, slowly started to get away from them, their radar not as sharp as the first half and missed opportunities proved costly.
Robbie Cotter too could have considered himself unlucky not to win a penalty for Blackrock in the 43rd minute.
A goal did come though, and making his first senior appearance for the Church Road side this season, it was sub Tadgh Deasy who shook the net seven minutes from time to yield a 3-13 to 0-16 lead.
That was more or less game over.
Kanturk only managed one point in the closing 11 minutes - Lorcan O’Neill - and this was thanks in the main to the Blackrock defence whose stability was led by authoritative full-back John Cashman.
The winners closed with 10 different scores, the final act going to goalkeeper Gavin Connolly (his second free) from out the field.
The first half started well for Kanturk, they had three points on the board inside four minutes - the first after just 15 seconds from Alan Walsh.
With sweepers at both ends, Blackrock opened their account through Kevin O’Keeffe in the sixth minute.
An Alan Connolly free arrived, before the same player raised a green flag in the 11th minute - a lovely sweeping move involving John Cashman, Peter Linehan and Robbie Cotter.
Despite the setback, Kanturk were on level terms eight minutes later, 1-4 to 0-7. They actually then took the lead through a Ryan Walsh long-range effort and another from Lorcán McLoughlin with two minutes to go to the break.
Alan Connolly, who was the source of most of Blackrock’s first half scores, brought them within one and in the remaining two minutes of stoppage Daniel Meaney achieved parity.
So far this weekend, predictions have gone according to plan with the favourites progressing. Midleton secured their last four against Sarsfields on Friday night, while Blackrock now await the winners of Sunday’s all-east Cork clash between Imokilly and Fr O’Neill’s.
A Connolly (1-6, 0-3 frees), F Coleman and T Deasy (1-0 each), G Connolly (free), K O’Keeffe and D Meaney (0-2 each), M O’Keeffe R Sweeney, Ciarán Cormack and R Cotter (0-1 each).
B O’Sullivan (0-5, 0-4 frees), Aidan Walsh (0-4), Alan Walsh and C Walsh (0-2 each), L McLoughlin, R Walsh, L O’Neill and R Sheahan (0-1 each).
G Connolly; A O’Callaghan, J Cashman, D Meaney; N Cashman, M O’Keeffe, Cathal Cormack (Capt); O McAdoo, D O’Farrell; P Linehan, Ciarán Cormack, K O’Keeffe; R Cotter, F Coleman, A Connolly
R Sweeney for D O’Farrell (25), J Ryan for D Meaney (25-27 temp), T Deasy for K O’Keeffe (43), S O’Keeffe for Ciarán Cormack (56).
G Bucinskas; T Walsh, J Browne, J McLoughlin; M Healy, R Walsh (Co-Capt), L McLoughlin (Co-Capt); B O’Sullivan, P Walsh; L O’Neill, I Walsh, Aidan Walsh; R Sheahan, Alan Walsh, C Walsh.
D O’Connell for I Walsh (43), L O’Keeffe for R Sheahan (56).
Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).
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