Share of the spoils for Blackrock and Bruff in Premier Intermediate opener
It finished Blackrock 0-18 Bruff 0-18 in an entertaining game in Knocklong
IT WAS a share of the spoils in Knocklong, as Bruff and Blackrock opened the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with a 0-18 to 0-18 draw.
In a game where the wind played a big factor, Bruff will rue 15 wides over the hour.
They needed a 60th-minute point from former Limerick player Paul Browne straight from a sideline cut to level the game late on.
The Stars were without current All-Ireland winning corner back Sean Finn as well as member of John Kiely’s extended panel Sean Casey.
Blackrock had former Limerick U20 captain Jimmy Quilty in good form, the man who captained the Shannonsiders in the 2022 All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny scoring four from play.
With a blend of youth and experience, the Rockies had youngsters Sean O'Neill and Sean Flanagan hit 0-3 each as well.
Bruff were more dependent on placed balls - Owen Meaney scoring exactly half of the team total.
With wind advantage, the Kilfinane-Ardpatrick men led 0-13 to 0-6 at the interval. The first six points of the match were shared before Niall Moloney’s men kicked it up a gear.
O’Neill, Callan Ensor and Flanagan all striking to put their side in control.
But Bruff chipped away in the second half. The accuracy of Meaney complemented by scores from Darragh Butler, Colm O'Loughlin, Evan Daly.
They nearly snatched a late lead - O’Loughlin’s effort saved spectacularly by former Limerick defender David Moloney in the Blackrock goal.
When Browne levelled the game as the clock hit 60 minutes, Bruff would have expected to push on. However, they were unable to convert late chances - both teams content with a draw to get off the mark in this always-competitive championship.
SCORERS - Blackrock: Colm O'Keeffe (4f) and Jimmy Quilty 0-4 each; Sean O'Neill and Sean Flanagan 0-3 each; Shane Philpott 0-2; Callan Ensor and Jack Moloney 0-1 each.
Bruff: Owen Meaney 0-9 (8f, 1 ‘65f); Josh Keating 0-2; Danny O'Leary, Kevin Bonnar, Barry Callinan, Darragh Butler, Colm O'Loughlin, Evan Daly, Paul Browne (s/l) 0-1 each.
BLACKROCK: David Moloney; Jack Moloney, Richie McCarthy, Ian O'Brien; Ciaran Considine, Killian Ahern, Conor Gilligan; Shane Philpot, Callan Ensor; Jimmy Quilty, Colm O'Keeffe, Sean O'Neill; Marty Farrell, Shane Lyons, Sean Flanagan.
Subs: Fionn Heffernan for Lyons (44 mins); Paudie Leahy for Farrell (51 mins); Niall Ryan for Phillpot (58 mins).
BRUFF: Eric Finn; Conor Shanahan, Patrick Finn, Colm O'Loughlin; Gavin Bracken, Paul O’Riordan, Kevin Bonnar; Owen Meaney, Mickey O’Riordan; Barry Callinan, Josh Keating, Darragh Butler; Danny O'Leary, Paul Browne. Charlie Cronin.
Subs: Evan Daly for Bracken (37 mins); Diarmuid Dennehy for Callinan (44 mins).
REFEREE: John O’Halloran (Bruree).