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.

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

Backed by a strong wind, Blackrock got off to the perfect start notching the first four points without reply through Jimmy Quilty (free), Paudie Leahy, Callan Ensor and Shane Philpott.

Glenroe got off the mark when Darren Frewen converted a seventh minute free. However, the 'Rockies racked up 2-7 without reply to take control of the contest.

The Blackrock side was hurling with great confidence, working the ball accurately through the lines and making the most of the scoring opportunities they created. 

At the pother end, Glenroe were unable to prise open a resoloute Blackrock defence to any great effect. 

The concession of those two goals in the four minutes leading up to half-time effectively ended Glenroe's prospects of producing a comeback.

To their credit, Glenroe did manage to account for the opening three points of the second half through Mark O'Connell, Darren Frewen (free) and Eoghan Fitzgerald.

However, they were unable to maintain the momentum as Blackrock succeeded in stemming the run of scores. 

Leahy's goal from a penalty award with just one 10 minutes remaining helped the 'Rockies push further clear. 

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).