Granagh-Ballingarry see off 'Rockies to boost knock-out hopes in Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship

GRANAGH-BALLINGARRY gave their semi-final hopes a shot in the arm with a richly deserved 3-17 to 4-11 victory over Blackrock in their Lyons of Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship group fixture in Kilmallock on Saturday afternoon.

This Round 6 Premier Intermediate clash was highly entertaining, with two-quickfire goals propelling the reigning Intermediate champions towards a victory that was in doubt after an inaccurate opening half.

In what was essentially a must-win game for both sides, the result kills off the Rockies hopes of progessing to the knock-out stages, while the winners will look to move to eight points when facing struggling Glenroe in the final round outing.

It was a game that the westerners did dominate in many sectors. However, a plethora of mistimed passes as well as poor shooting had them trailing from the opening minute until Darragh Casey’s goal, their first, which arrived on 41 minutes.

A brace of early goals put the south side in a strong position. The first from Richie McCarthy, who was alive to a ball dropping off the post. Leaving Sean O’Neill pick up the pieces, the former All-Star buried to the net after a neat handpass.

The second goal was even more scrappy. A low shot was parried by Denis O’Connor, with Callan Ensor pouncing to scramble the ball home.

Despite only scoring once in the second quarter, the Rockies still led at half-time, 2-5 to 0-8. A total off 11 wides in the opening thirty minutes hurting Ballingarry, Blackrock for their part, hit just five.

The accuracy of Seán O’Connor’s frees helped bring Granagh back into the clash with Luke Flynn landing the pick of the points on 38 minutes. That put just two between them before Eoin Lynch fed Casey for the crucial goal.

Two more green flags, on 52 and 53 minutes came from Damien O’Donovan and Murphy, with Murphy assisting the first before Flynn did very well for the second.

Suddenly trailing by eight, Blackrock rallied. Paudie Leahy buried a penalty, after McCarthy was hauled down while their fourth goal game through a sea of bodies deep in stoppage time. Sean O’Connor rubber stamped the victory for Micheál Clancy’s side with a sideline free.

A third win in six outings ensures they go into the final round with an outside chance of sneaking into knockout hurling.

SCORERS: Granagh Ballingarry: Sean O’Connor 0-8 (all frees); Paudie Murphy 1-2; Damien O’Donovan, Darragh Casey 1-1 each; Luke Flynn 0-3; Eoin Lynch, Jack Cagney 0-1 each. Blackrock: Richie McCarthy 2-1; Colm O’Keeffe 0-5 (0-4 frees); Paudie Leahy 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-1 free); Ensor O’Shaughnessy 1-0; Sean O’Neill, Fionn Heffernan, Jimmy Quilty (free) 0-1 each.

Blackrock: Richie Murphy; Ian O’Brien (JC), Daithi Heffernan, James Phillpott; Killian Aherne, Jimmy Quilty, Simon Hennessy; Paudie Leahy, Shane Lyons; Fionn Heffernan, Colm O’Keeffe (JC), Seán O’Neill, Ruari O’Shaughnessy, Richie McCarthy, Callan Ensor. Subs: Barry O’Shaughnessy for Ensor (half-time); Liam Walsh for O’Keeffe (48 mins);Sean O’Dwyer for R O’Shaughnessy (54 mins).

Granagh Ballingarry: Denis O’Connor; Eoghan Casey, John Kealy, Brian Sheehy; Ronan Mullane, Jack Cagney (C), Michael Russell; Josh Mulcaire-Quille, Darragh Casey; Sean O’Connor, Cathal O’Keeffe, Luke Flynn; Damien O’Donovan, Eoin Lynch, Paudie Murphy. Subs: Colm Noonan for Lynch (53 mins); David Condron for O’Donovan (60 mins).

Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola)