Blackrock - 1-14 Newtownshandrum - 0-12Blackrock swept to their 32nd Cork senior hurling championship title by retaining their crown in a disappointing final before a 12,000 crowd at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday. It was the first time they completed back-to-back successes since the 1978 and 1979 victories.
Blackrock were full value for their win over the 2000 champions. Their defence was magnificent all through with centre back Alan Cummins giving a man-of-the-match display, receiving strong support from county players Wayne Sherlock and Fergal Ryan.
The opening exchanges suggested a rousing decider. Brian O'Keeffe pointed for the champions inside 30 seconds before captain Sherlock and Cork panellist Pat Mulcahy were shown yellow cards moments later, only for the contest to slip to mediocrity for the most part afterwards.
Another Cork county player, Alan Browne, came up trumps with the all-important goal two minutes before the break. He gathered a long Ryan clearance, rounded his marker and blasted home an unstoppable shot to the far corner.
That left Blackrock 1-6 to 0-4 ahead, having been 0-4 to 0-3 down after 17 minutes and while Ben O'Connor pointed a free with the last puck of the half, Newtownshandrum were clearly struggling to make any impression in front of goal.
The city side began the second half in similar fashion. Joe Young pointed inside 20 seconds and Brian O'Keeffe added another before the first minute elapsed, leaving Newtownshandrum with an uphill struggle. O'Connor's accuracy from frees kept them in touch as their opponents squandered several chances, registering 14 wides in the hour. With nine minutes remaining Newtownshandrum reduced the deficit to two points, 1-10 to 0-11, with a Jerry O'Connor point.
But Blackrock steadied to claim the next four scores. Adrian Coughlan and substitute Colin O'Reilly scored two each, leaving Donal Mulcahy's injury-time point mere consolation for the losers.
BLACKROCK: T Barry; W Sherlock (captain), N Keane, J Browne; C Connery, A Cummins, F Ryan; A Coughlan (0-4), P Tierney; B Hennebry (0-1), L Meaney, D Cashman; J Young (0-1), A Browne (1-5), B O'Keeffe (0-1). Subs. C O'Reilly (0-2) for Cashman (injured).
NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: P Morrissey; AG O'Brien, B Mulcahy, J McCarthy; AT O'Brien, P Mulcahy, P Noonan; I Kelleher, D Murphy; D Mulcahy (0-2), M Morrissey (0-1), Jerry O'Connor (0-2); John O'Connor, B O'Connor (0-7), JP King. Subs: D Naughton for Kelleher; J Bowles for John O'Connor; J O'Mahony for McCarthy (injured); M Farrell for Naughton; D Riordan for Bowles.
Referee: K Healy (Cork).
Blackrock ... 1-14
Newtownshandrum ... 0-12
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