Murroe-Boher maintain perfect start with win over Blackrock

MURROE-BOHER maintained their perfect start to the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after beating Blackrock by 1-28 to 3-17 in Bruff.

The newly promoted side now have two wins from as many games having defeated Granagh-Ballingarry in the opening round.

Murroe-Boher were the superior outfit throughout. The east Limerick men never trailed at any stage and had nine different scorers.

Pat Tobin’s men started impressively with Aaron Kennedy slotting over two points from play inside seven minutes. Sean O'Neill opened Blackrock's account 60 seconds later.

Murroe-Boher responded with four successive scores. Seanie Tobin registered two points with Michael Ryan and Dylan Sheehan also on target.

Shane Lyons made it 0-6 to 1-1 with a spectacular goal on 12 minutes. The Blackrock full-forward made an impressive turnover before rifling the ball to the net.

Blackrock’s Marty Farrell made it a one-point game before Murroe-Boher amassed four consecutive scores again.

John O’Keeffe chipped in with two points with Mikey Ryan and Sean Fitzgerald also on target as they restored their five-point cushion.

The sides subsequently traded two points each as Murroe-Boher led 0-15 to 1-8 at half-time.

Tobin’s charges started the second half impressively with two points in as many minutes from Seanie Tobin (free) and Michael Ryan both hitting the target.

The game was nearly put out of reach when Jack Casey found the net giving Murroe-Boher an eight-point cushion soon after. Oisin Holmes carved the opportunity with a marauding solo run before feeding Casey who fired home.

However, Blackrock were back in the contest 60 seconds later when Sean Flanagan registered a goal. Colm O’Keeffe subsequently added a pointed free but the south Limerick men still trailed 1-18 to 2-10 on 40 minutes.

Murroe-Boher replied with three points in as many minutes. Seanie Tobin (free), John O’Keeffe and Jack Casey were all on target making it an eight-point game.

Blackrock subsequently reduced the deficit to five points with as many minutes remaining when substitute Paudie Leahy slotted over a free.

Michael Ryan and Sean Flanagan traded points before scores from Michael Ryan and Mark Nicholas stretched the margin to 11 points 60 seconds into injury time.

Blackrock’s Shane Lyons added his second goal two minutes into injury time and it was followed by goalkeeper David Moloney landing a long-range free.

However, Murroe-Boher still finished with five points to spare as Blackrock tasted defeat for the first time in the new campaign. Blackrock will look to atone for the defeat against Glenroe in round three while Murroe Boher will face Bruff.

SCORERS - MURROE BOHER: Seanie Tobin 0-8 (6f); Jack Casey 1-2; Michael Ryan, John O’Keeffe 0-4 each; Mikey Ryan, Aaron Kennedy 0-3 each, Mark Nicholas 0-2; Sean Fitzgerald, Dylan Sheehan 0-1 each; BLACKROCK: Shane Lyons 2-2, Colm O’Keeffe 0-8 (6f); Sean Flanagan 1-2; Paudie Leahy 0-2 (1f); David Moloney (1f), Marty Farrell, Sean O’Neill 0-1 each.

MURROE BOHER: Killian Quaid; Sean Fitzgerald, Cillian Byrnes, Fintan Sheridan; Aaron Kennedy, Darragh Kennedy, Oisin Holmes; Mark Nicholas, Dylan Sheehan; Michael Ryan, Jack Casey, Conor Foley; Mikey Ryan, Sean Tobin, John O’Keeffe.

BLACKROCK: David Moloney; Jack Moloney, Richie McCarthy, Ian O’Brien; Ciaran Considine, Callan Ensor, Killian Ahern; Sean O’Neill, Conor Gilligan; Jimmy Quilty, Colm O’Keeffe, Shane Philpot; Marty Farrell, Shane Lyons, Sean Flanagan; Subs: Paudie Leahy for Philpot (h/t); Fionn Heffernan for Farrell (36 mins); Niall Ryan for Flanagan, Aidan Gilligan for Moloney (60 mins); Nigel Hosford for Considine (62 mins).

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (St Senan’s)