Blackrock warm to the task to set up Cork Minor hurling final clash with Midleton

Blackrock overcame Na Piarsaigh while Midleton edged Glen Rovers on Wednesday night

Shane O’Shaughnessy of the Rockie’s takes possession as na Piarsaigh’s Dara O’Leary closes in. Pic: Noel Sweeney.

While they gave away a head-start, Blackrock were impressive thereafter as they booked their place in the Cork ETB Rebel Óg U18 Premier 1 HC final where they will meet Midleton.

The Rockies will have a chance to bridge a gap dating back to 2013 following this nine-point (4-22 to 3-13) win over Na Piarsaigh in Glenville on Wednesday night.

Leading by eight points at half-time, the victors never looked like having their supremacy shaken in the second half as they produced a balanced team performance.

However, they did give themselves an early hurdle to overcome as a Craig O'Sullivan 65 for Na Piarsaigh in the opening minute was followed by the attacker setting up his fellow former Cork minor Callum Coffey for a superb goal.

If Blackrock felt pressure at early setback, they didn't show it - they reeled off nine unanswered points, with Michael Quill impeccable from dead balls, to take control.

Early in the second half, Na Piarsaigh enjoyed possession and territory with the breeze behind them but their shooting left them down while Quill was able to punish any indiscretions at the other end.

A nice Kevin Long point had Blackrock 2-18 to 2-9 in front of 40 and then a third goal arrived as Shane O'Shaughnessy produced a batted finish to the net.

With 11 minutes left, the northsiders had a third green flag of their own as Craig O'Sullivan drilled a free to the net to leave it 3-20 to 3-12 but that was as low as the margin would go in the closing stages as further goal attempts by them were repelled by the Blackrock defence.

Blackrock sub Conor O'Neill relieved pressure with a point just after this arrival and, after Na Piarsaigh lost sub Zach Brady to a late red card before Rory O'Neill found the net at the death.

Midleton’s Braden Dunlap shoots towards the goals as The Glen’s James Murray closes in. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Meanwhile Midleton produced a strong second-half performance to overcome the challenge of Glen Rovers 0-17 to 0-15 in a scrappy semi-final at Church Road.

The Imokilly side recovered from a two-point deficit at the interval to reach the decider for the second-year running, having lost to Sarsfields last year.

The Magpies were spearheaded by the red-hot Liam Walsh, who finished with 0-12 for the winners. It was his last two scores that got his team over the line, with extra time looking a strong possibility late on.

It was tit-for-tat early on, with the sides level at 0-3 each after 10 minutes.

Walsh’s accuracy from frees was proving vital for Midleton given they were against the wind.

Michael Forde and then a pair of Gavin O’Callaghan frees pushed Glen Rovers three clear, but two Walsh placed balls cut the gap to the minimum.

It remained a ding-dong battle, with Josh Brosnan helping the Glen gain a foothold in midfield as they led 0-9 to 0-6 after 24 minutes.

Shane O’Mahony and Ciarán Kelly pointed for the Magpies, but two quick-fire O’Callaghan white flags, one from a free, gave Glen Rovers a deserved three-point buffer.

But Midleton finished the half better but still they trailed 0-11 to 0-9 at half-time.

The Imokilly side were wind-assisted for the new half as the sides traded points.

Glen Rovers led 0-14 to 0-12 after 48 minutes. Wides and overplaying the ball were hindering Midleton, but two Walsh frees tied matters.

Walsh then nudged his side in front with yet another placed ball, but a cracking point from James Murray, over the shoulder, levelled things again.

It looked like extra time was going to be required with the sides level going into injury time, but Midleton found the scores to get over the line.

Walsh converted a 65 and, despite the Glen having a couple of chances to draw level, it was the top scorer who got the last score of the game with a free from long range.