Forward thinking sees Blarney edge win over battling Na Piarsaigh

Still this did not deter Blarney and Na Piarsaigh producing a battling display to see who would be group top dogs in this Cork SAHC third round clash in Ovens on Saturday evening, the Muskerry men edging it to set up a quarter final clash with Killeagh with Na Piarsaigh playing Castlelyons.

It was nip and tuck all through a closely fought contest but in the end the scoring power of Shane Barrett, Denis McSweeney and Eoghan Kirby just about swung it Blarney’s way though the city men were always in the contest with Kevin Moynihan firing over two superb second half points and Cathal Hegarty grafting well in midfield.

Blarney boss Michael Barrett was pleased afterwards. ”Yes, very happy. We knew Na Piarsaigh would never give up, as they showed in their last two games. They really did get their tactics right in the first half, we found it difficult to get scores but we were happy with the way the lads came out in the second half.

“Look we have had three tough games, we are happy with the way the players stood up and the way the lads are developing is great. We are just delighted to get out of here with a result.

“We really had some tough games and to win all three is very positive. Hopefully now this win will bring us forward. The lads are listening to Gavin (selector) and Ciaran (S&C coach) and hopefully we can drive on now.” 

Sloppy shooting in the opening stages until Shane Barrett put Blarney ahead but there was never more than a point or two between the sides as Na Piarsaigh led 0-3 to 0-2 after the opening 10 minutes with points from Pàdraig Guest, Shane Forde and Daire Connery.

Evan Sheehan stretched that lead but Blarney were resilient and it went on to lead 0-6 to 0-5 after the opening quarter, Denis McSweeney, Shane Barrett with a couple and Eoghan Kirby on target but they were lucky in the 12th minute when Shane Forde blasted home a Piarsaigh goal which referee Wayne King disallowed for picking.

Plenty of endeavor in the second quarter, point for point, Mark Coleman now marshaling the Blarney defence well, with Shane Barrett’s late 65 strike earning his side a slender 0-10 to 0-9 lead they just about deserved.

Better hurling in the second half, but not a sniff of a goal as both sides seemed content with a nice game of hurling. Ross O’Sullivsn and a Guest free were on target for Na Piarsaigh and Shane Barrett and Kirby replying for Blarney but those two exquisite Moynihan points from the sideline really put life into Na Piarsaigh who now trailed 0-14 to 0-13 entering the final quarter.

Barrett’s accuracy in the final quarter made all the difference for Blarney as Na Piarsaigh, as hard as they tried, just could not get the scores they needed though Craig Hannifin did make it a one point game again with five minutes remaining.

However another Shane Barrett point and a free from Mark Coleman, his only score of the game, made it safe for Blarney, a victory they just about deserved.

Scorers for Blarney: S. Barrett 0-9 (0-4 frees, 0-1 65), E. Kirby 0-3, C. McCarthy 0-2, C. Barrett, P. Power, D. McSweeney, J. O’Keeffe, M. Coleman (free) 0-1 each.

Na Piarsaigh scorers: P. Guest (frees), 0-5, D. Connery 0-4 (0-2 frees), R. O’Sullivan and K. Moynihan 0-2 each, S. Forde, E. Sheehan, C. Hogan and C, Hannafin 0-1 each.

BLARNEY: P. Hallissey; A. McEvoy, C. Power, S. Mullane; D. Hanlon, P. Crowley, E. Kirby; Ò. Hegarty, C. Hegarty; D. MsSweeney, S. Barrett, M. Coleman; C. Barrett, P. Power, C. McCarthy.

Subs: J. O’Keeffe for McSweeney (52m), S. Mulcahy for Barrett (58m), S. Crowley for McCarthy (60m).

NA PIARSAIGH: L. Donovan; P. Murphy, G. Joyce, E. Gunning; D. Connery, C. Buckley, K. Moynihan; C. Hanafin, C. Hogan; S. Forde, D. Lee, L. Sheehan; R. O’Sullivan, E. Sheehan, P. Guest.

Subs: P. O’Rourke for O’Sullivan (33m), K. Forde for K. Sheehan (39m), G. Healy for L. Sheehan (55m), S. P. Cooke for Hogan 60m.) Referee: Referee: Wayne King (Banteer).