Blackrock boost Limerick premier intermediate hurling survival hopes with big win over Glenroe

CLINICAL Blackrock boosted their survival hopes in the Lyons of Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship after recording an emphatic 5-15 to 1-8 round six victory over Glenroe at Knocklong on Saturday afternoon.

Blackrock's win, just their second in six round round fixtures, has lifted the side off bottom spot on the table and above Glenroe with just one round of fixtures to go.

The 'Rockies laid the foundation for this precious victory in the opening half after which they held a substantial 4-13 to 1-3 advantage.

Blackrock took full advantage of wind assistance in the opening 30 minutes, racing a 1-7 to 0-1 lead by the mid-poijt of the opening half.

The 'Rockies opening goal was scored by Sean O'Neill, off Colm O'Keeffe's pass on 14 minutes. 

The highly influential Jimmy Quilty rifled home a second Blackrock goal on 22 minutes with a poerful shot into the left corner of the net.

Goalscorer O'Neill then set O'Keeffe up for a third Blackrock goal on 26 minutes as the winners led 3-11 to 0-2. 

Worse was to come for Glenroe just before the break as O'Kefffe finished his second goal to the net.

Glenroe did manage a first half goal before the break when Adam Frewen blasted to the net from Oisin Browne's well-llaced pas. 

However, led by the likes of the ever-dependable Richie McCarthy, who marshalled the defence impressively, Shane Lyons, Quilty, the lively O'Neill and Paudlie Leahy, the Rockies were full value for their 19-point interval advantage. 

Glenroe, for whom Stephen Walsh impressed at centre half-back, were facing an uphill battle, despite playing with the aid of a stiff breeze in the second half. While they managed the opening two points after the restart through half-time substitute Mark O'Connell and a pointed free from their topscorer Darren Frewen, they lacked the scoring power to unduly trouble their opponents. 

Blackrock added a fifth goal in the 49th minute when Paudie Leahy blasted a penalty award to the net after Ciaran Considine was fouled. 

More to follow: - 

SCORERS: Blackrock: Colm O'Keeffe 2-3 (0-2 frees), Jimmy Quilty 1-4 (0-3 frees), Paudie Leahy 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), Sean O'Neill 1-1, Shane Lyons, Callan Ensor, Shane Philpott, Ruairi O'Shaughnessy 0-1 each. Glenroe: Darren Frewen 0-6, 0-5 frees), Adam Frewen 1-0, Mark O'Connell, Eoghan Fitzgerald 0-1 each. 

BLACKROCK: David Moloney; Ian O'Brien, Richie Mccarthy, Shane Lyons, Killian Ahern, Liam Walsh, Simon Hennessy; Jimmy Quilty, Aidan Gilligan; Conor Gilligan, Paudie Leahy, Sean O'Neill, Callan Ensor, Colm O'Keeffe, Shane Philpott. SUBS: Ruairi O'Shaughnessy for Liam Walsh (half-time), Ciaran Considine for Philpott (45 mins), Marty Farrell for Hennessy (50 mins), Barry O'Shaughnessy for Ensor (54 mins). 

GLENROE: David McCarthy (Capt); Shane O'Donoghue, Patrick Holian, Darren Carroll; Sean O'Donnell, Stephen Walsh, Jordan Sheehy; Daniel Murphy, Brian O'Connell; Ciaran Kelly, Darren Frewen, Liam Dennehy; Adam Frewen, Oisin Browne, Daithi Dennehy. SUBS: Eoghan Fitzgerald for Sheehy (injured, 24 mins), Mark O'Connell for Kelly (half-time), Zach McCarthy for Browne (37 mins).

REFEREE: Michael Sexton (Bruree).