Routine win for Rockies against under-par Barrs
Blackrock have one foot in the knockout stage of the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC following a relatively straightforward victory over St Finbarr's at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday night.
In this latest instalment between these two great city rivals, it was a disappointing display by St Finbarr's, who were surprisingly flat for long spells.
Only for three superb saves by their goalkeeper Shane Hurley, the margin could have been greater.
The Togher club didn't get into the game until late in the second quarter, and having trailed by 11 points at one juncture, went to the dressing-room seven points behind.
The eventual difference was 11 points.
Eleven was also the number of scorers for the Rockies, in comparison with six for St Finbarr's.
Jamie Harrington's side caught fire from the off, and they were the much better side overall.
The groundwork for success came in the opening eight minutes when they posted five unanswered points with Kevin O'Keeffe, captain John Cashman, Alan Connolly (free), Niall Cashman and Robbie Cotter arrowing over from different positions.
Niall Cashman's effort in the seventh minute came from a stray St Finbarr's pass, while Cotter's was at the end of a swift move that was started by Tadhg Deasy and Stephen Murphy in defence.
Both scores highlighted St Finbarr's inability to settle.
Their opening point came from Jack Cahalane in the ninth minute.
The score was 0-6 to 0-2 before Daniel Meaney got in for a Blackrock goal in the 12th minute but the hard work was done out the field by Deasy who soloed through and his shot was saved by a diving Hurley, and Meaney was in the right place at the right time.
After a one-sided 20 minutes, where the Rockies defenders were also in control, they led 1-11 to 0-3.
St Finbarr's, who were beaten by these same opponents in last season's championship, made somewhat of a recovery before the break when Ben Cunningham blasted to the net in the 27th minute - the badly needed score came after a five-man move.
The interval lead was 1-13 to 1-6.
Ben Cunningham was the main contributor for the Barrs (ended with 2-9) and his three frees cut the gap, but Blackrock found another gear. Alan Connolly's fifth point to put them eight clear demonstrated their greater hunger.
Ger Cunningham brought in Brian Hayes (hampered by injury) midway through the half, but it was Blackrock who kept piling on the pressure.
A second top-class save came from Hurley, this time denying Ryan Sweeney.
However, he couldn't prevent Michael O'Halloran's bullet in the 47th minute, 2-18 to 1-10.
An 11-point difference once more. Sub Peter Linehan, just on the field, pushed the advantage to 14 points.
After Cunningham hit the post with a goal-shot, Hayes won a penalty and Cunningham made no mistake with the finish in the 53rd minute.
The same player made it a seven-point game entering the final few minutes.
There was no let up from Blackrock, shooting the closing four points.
Sub Fionn Coleman marked his return from injury with one, while Niall Cashman capped a good evening's work with the final two white flags.
Kanturk and Douglas meet on Saturday - both of these teams are without points.
The round three pairings are Blackrock against Douglas, while St Finbarr's will take on Kanturk.
Scorers for Blackrock: A Connolly (0-8, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), D Meaney (1-1), M O'Halloran (1-0), R Cotter, R Sweeney and N Cashman (0-3 each), J Cashman and K O'Keeffe (0-2 each), G Connolly (free), P Linehan and F Coleman (0-1 each).
Scorers for St Finbarr's: B Cunningham (2-9, 1-0 pen, 0-8 frees), C Cahalane, E Twomey, J Cahalane, W Buckley and B Hayes (0-1 each).
BLACKROCK: G Connolly; J Ryan, A O'Callaghan, S Murphy; Cathal Cormack, J Cashman (Capt), T Deasy; N Cashman, D O'Farrell; R Sweeney, K O'Keeffe, D Meaney; M O'Halloran, A Connolly, R Cotter.
Subs: F Coleman for K O'Keeffe (46), P Linehan for T Deasy (48 inj), O McAdoo for S Murphy (51).
ST FINBARR'S: S Hurley; E Keane, J Burns (Capt), D Cahalane; C Doolan, B Hennessy, C Walsh; C Cahalane, E Twomey; J Cahalane, B Cunningham, W Buckley; C Crowley, J O'Kelly, J Wigginton Barrett.
Subs: B Hayes for J O'Kelly (44), S Cunningham for C Walsh (47).
Referee: Ciarán O'Regan (Ballyhea).
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