Blackrock secure four in a row
It had been a cagey start to the proceedings, but with 16 minutes gone the holders broke the deadlock with winger Comerford going over after finding a gap in the Michael’s defence.
Unfortunately for Comerford, an injury picked up while securing this five-pointer brought his afternoon to a premature end, and courtesy of a penalty from Michael’s centre Christopher Cosgrave in stoppage-time, the Williamstown outfit’s lead had been reduced to two points (5-3) in time for the interval.
However, following a routine place-kick three minutes after the restart by David Fitzgibbon, ‘Rock restored their five-point cushion.
Cosgrave had an ideal opportunity to add his tally on 40 minutes, but although he produced a firm strike from 35 metres, his second effort at goal drifted pass the left-hand post.
This was a let-off for Blackrock, but with captain Gavin Jones leading by example, they eventually sealed their 50th crown.
N Comerford try, D Fitzgibbon pen.
C Cosgrave pen.
R Barron; N Comerford, T D’Arcy, G Jones, B White; D Fitzgibbon, C Rolland; D McKeon, B Wallace, L Mion; J Corless, C Duffy; S O’Brien, J Loscher, E Brennan.
R O’Farrell for Comerford (18), K McQuaid for O’Brien (h-t), T Handrick for McKeon (58).
M O’Brien; A Smith, C Cosgrave, C McGettigan, Z Harrison; N Carroll, R Gilsenan; J Boyle, L Barron, J Toland; J Fish, L Dunne; W Hickey, M Hernan, B Gannon.
H McGovern for Toland (34).
G Glennon (LRR).
