Rockies reserve last spot after overtime thriller with UCC

Cork PSHC Semifinal: UCC 0-34 BLACKROCK 3-26

Blackrock booked his place in the Cork SHC final with an epic overtime win over UCC at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The sides started off brilliantly, with Shane Conway and Conor Boylan impressing the students and David Meaney and Shane O’Keeffe getting Blackrock’s attention.

Neither team was able to establish a dominant advantage and both teams were guilty of some poor shots as the first half progressed. David O’Farrell and Conor Boylan traded scores before the first water break, when it was 0-5 each.

Soon after, Blackrock, not playing as fluently as in recent games, found the net. Shane O’Keeffe seemed restrained near the UCC goal, but improvised a goal, and John O’Sullivan’s impressive point put it 1-6 at 0-5 in 20 minutes.

UCC credit, they duly hit five in a row to advance in the 27th minute. Niall Cashman landed an inspiring equalizer for Blackrock, but a late Conway double put UCC ahead at the half, 0-13 to 1-9.

The Rockies started the second half with another Shane O’Keeffe, a shot from close range, but UCC scored four points in return to go ahead, 0-17 to 2-9.

Rockies backup Tadgh Deasy led the comeback, but UCC sailed with Conway’s precision until the water break, when Kerryman’s sideline cut put them 0-20 to 2-12 ahead.

UCC appeared to be in control, but Alan Connolly hit one hand on goal: 3-13 to 2-12 with seven minutes remaining.

Mark Kehoe gave UCC the lead, but Cathal Cormack leveled from long range. Eanna Desmond restored UCC’s lead, but Blackrock reduced it to one in injury time.

Padraig Power pushed UCC two ahead, but Niall Cashman responded and Connolly (free) leveled: overtime.

Barrett and Conway (two free games) scored UCC points at the restart, but Meaney and Deasy answered for Blackrock. UCC led at halftime in overtime, 0-30 to 3-20.

Substitute Brian Verling and Power had points but Deasy responded: 0-32 to 3-21. A point from Conway made three, but Deasy responded magnificently.

Blackrock came close to a goal in the 75th minute through Alan O’Callaghan, but narrowly missed.

Alan O’Sullivan and backup Robbie Cotter leveled the game with three minutes to go, however Connolly gave them the win with those late free kicks.

Scorers for UCC: S. Conway (0-14, 9 free, 1 winger); P. Power (0-6); C. Boylan, S. Barrett (0-3 each); D. Griffin, M. Kehoe (0-2 each); M. Coleman, A. Casey, E. Desmond, B. Verling (0-1 each).

Scorers for Blackrock: S. O’Keeffe (2-1); A. Connolly (1-7, 5 releases 1 65); T. Deasy (0-5, 1 side); J. O’Sullivan (0-4); N. Cashman (0-2 1 free 1 65); D. Meaney, M. O’Keeffe (0-2 each); Cathal Cormack, D. O’Farrell, R. Cotter (0-1 each).

UCC: (Cork unless indicated) D. Desmond (Éire Óg, c); E. Clifford (Cloughduv), D. Lowney (Clonakilty), K. O’Dwyer (Killenaule, Tipperary); M. Coleman (Blarney), P. O’Loughlin (Kilmallock, Limerick), D. Griffin (Clonakilty); K O’Leary (Castlelyons), P. Cadell (JK Brackens); A. Casey (Ballyduff Upper, Waterford), S. Conway (Lixnaw, Kerry), M. Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary); S. Barrett (Blarney), P. Power (Blarney), C. Boylan (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick).

Subs: E. Desmond (Carrigaline) for O’Leary (HT); O. McCarthy (Inniscarra) for Casey (67); B. Verling (Cloughduv) by Boylan (68); SUBWAY.

BLACK ROCK: G Connolly; J. Ryan, G. Norberg, R. Laide; CathaL Cormack, N. Cashman, S. Murphy; D Meaney, D O’Farrell; S O’Keeffe, Ciaran Cormack, M O’Keeffe; M O’Halloran, A. Connolly, J O’Sullivan.

Subs: J. Cashman and T. Deasy for O’Farrell and M. O’Keeffe (39); A. O’Callaghan for O’Halloran (68); K. O’Keeffe for Murphy (73).

Referee: J. Larkin (Ballinora).