News

S.H.C

November 8, 2018

At Pairc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday evening our senior hurling team defeated
St Finbarrs in the first round of the Cork County Senior Hurling
Championship. Last year we beat the Barrs by 2 points and went into the game
last Saturday fearing a backlash from the Barrs. On the night however we had
a great win by 2-13 to 0-9.
Last December at the County Convention when the draws for the 2007 Co.
S.H.C. were made the first pairing out was St Finbarrs v Bride Rovers. It
was fitting therefore that our game against the Barrs got the Championship
underway for this year. After a great spell of weather Saturday evening
turned very windy and the threat of rain was never far away. From the moment
Anthony Cummins threw in the ball it was obvious that our lads were really
up for it. Within five minutes of the start each of our full forward line
Terry, Michael and Jerome had scored a point apiece, in reply the Barrs had
one white flag. We had the aid of a strong wind and with our defence on top
our forwards got a supply of ball. However the Barrs got the next four
points on the trot to lead 0-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes. Points from Terry
and Jerome tied it up at 0-5 each. Michael Collins had a goal disallowed for
a ‘square ball’ but in the 21st minute Michael got on to a long puck from
Barry Johnson and had the green flag waving. Two points from Sean Ryan and
one from Jerome gave us a lead of 1-8 to 0-6 at the break. A five point lead
was good but the question on everyone’s lips was “Would it be enough?”
Against the breeze Sean Barry, the Barrs keeper, had massive puck-outs so
with the wind he’d be lobbing them into the square. Playing against the wind
the first five minutes of the second half were vital. In fairness we started
where we left off. A pointed free from Barry Johnson extended our lead. The
Barrs pulled one back but with just 10 minutes of the second half gone, came
the vital score. A long ball was finished to the net by Jerome to put us 2-9
to 0-7 ahead. Barry put over another free and we were 2-10 to 0-7 ahead.
Ronan Curran hit a point. We finished strongly with points from Barry (2)
and Sean to win by 2-13 to 0-9. Last year we had a 7 point lead against the
same opposition but just held out at the end for a 2 point win.
Regardless of how strong St Finbarrs were this was a great result. This is
our fourth year in the senior grade and our first time winning the first
round game. The win means that we avoid a ‘back door’ game and a possible
relegation battle and also assures us of senior status in 2008. ‘Tis only a
few weeks since the League final defeat to Blackrock. After that game heads
could have dropped but that didn’t happen and “when hot grew that fight,
those hearts grew more eager”. Well done to all the panel of players,
selectors, coach and backroom team. A special word of thanks to our great
supporters who travelled to Pairc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday evening.
Team & Scorers: D Fitzgerald, T Moloney, B Murphy, J Murphy, B Walsh, B
Murphy, P Walsh, P Murphy, B Johnson (0-4), D Ryan, S Ryan (0-3), R Cahill,
M Collins (1-1), J O’Driscoll (1-3), T Broderick (0-2). Subs: B Hazelwood.
We now look forward to the Third Round Draw for the S.H.C., this will be
made at the end of May.