Blackrock edge past semi-final bound Newcastle West in Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship

WITH little more than pride to play for, Blackrock ended Newcastle West’s 100% record in the Lyons of Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship group stages thanks to an impressive second half comeback which saw them defeat the round robin table-toppers 3-9 to 0-17 at a wet Ballyagran on Saturday afternoon.

Despite defeat, the Magpies now look forward to a semi-final clash with fourth-placed Effin after securing six wins from seven in the group stages.

Played in very difficult conditions in a rain-soaked Ballyagran, it was ironic that the winning goal – courtesy of a very late deflected Jimmy Quilty free – was a mistake in the Newcastle West full-back line in what was almost the last puck of the game after players, officials, and supporters had to withstand 60 minutes of driving rain and wind in south Limerick.

And Blackrock’s impressive second half comeback, after they trailed Newcastle West by five points at the break, 1-1 to 0-9, was made even more impressive by the fact the Kilfinane men were playing against the strong wind in the final half an hour.

Indeed, when Newcastle West eased into a nine-point lead against the wind by the 25^th minute, the result only looked likely to be going one way.

When David Moloney took full advantage of a long ball to blast the ball into the Magpies net for what was Blackrock’s first score of the afternoon three minutes before half time, the Rockies finally came to life.

A Colm O’Keeffe free on the verge of half time reduced the deficit to five points at the break.

After the restart, half time substitute Barry O’Shaughnessy raised the green flag for a second time for Blackrock less than minute after being introduced.

After it had looked like Newcastle West were cruising to victory before half time, Blackrock scored four of the next six points to somehow draw level midway through the second half.

However, credit to the Magpies, the west Limerick men upped the tempo again after Blackrock drew level and points from Mike McMahon, the impressive Eoin Hurley, and Brian Hurley had Derry McMahon’s charges ahead by three yet again.

Both sides exchanged points before a late Jimmy Quilty point made it a one-point game.

A minute later, up stepped Quilty again, hoping to draw the sides level for the second time. However, his sliced effort somehow ended up in the back of the net after a deflection and a mix up in the Newcastle West defence.

With just seconds left on the clock, Blackrock were ahead for the first time.

A late Mike McMahon free gave Newcastle West a fighting chance of a draw, but when referee John O’Halloran blew his whistle for the last time after the resulting puckout was taken, the bragging rights were on their way to east Limerick.

SCORERS: Blackrock: Jimmy Quilty 1-3 (one free), Colm O’Keeffe 0-4 (three frees), Barry O’Shaughnessy 1-0, David Moloney, David Moloney 1-0 each, Richie McCarthy, Ruari O'Shaughnessy 0-1 each. Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 0-7 (three frees), Con Hayes 0-4, Brian Hurley, Mike McMahon (one free) 0-2 each, Mike Quilligan (free), Brian Foley 0-1 each.

TEAMS:

Blackrock: Richie Murphy; Ian O’Brien (joint-capt.), Daithi Heffernan, Killian Ahern; Callan Ensor, Jimmy Quilty, Simon Hennessy; Paudie Leahy, Liam Walsh; Ruari O’Shaughnessy, Richie McCarthy, Sean O’Neill; David Moloney, Sean O’Dwyer, Colm O’Keeffe (joint-captain) Subs: Barry O’Shaughnessy for O’Dwyer (half time), James Philpott for O’Keeffe (53).

Newcastle West: Mike Quilligan; Maurice Murphy, Seamus Hurley, Todd Donovan; Michael Cremin, William Hurley, Diarmuid Lyons; Ruadhan O’Connor, Brian Hurley (capt.); Evan McMahon, Con Hayes, Mike McMahon; Cathal Hayes, Eoin Hurley, Brian Foley. Subs: Aaron Neville for Murphy (half time), Conor Walker for Hayes (56).

REFEREE: John O’Halloran (Bruree)