Leacy leads the charge
BLACKWATER 4-12 R’GAROGUE-C’TOWN 1-8
BLACKWATER’S SECOND string turned on the style in fashioning a highly-impressive 13-point victory over Rathgarogue-Cushinstown in the EEW All-County Hurling League Division 6 semi-final in Blackwater on Tuesday.
Veteran Lar Leacy, playing at full-forward with a heavily-strapped knee, proved the inspiration for the home side during his 30 minutes on the pitch.
He showed an excellent finishing touch in front of goal while also turning provider for those around him, a contributory factor in his side’s first-half dominance.
Jake Nobbs along with two points from Kerril Sutton had Blackwater leading by 0-3 to nil inside the opening six minutes.
They were ahead by 0-4 to 0-1 after a Ken Slattery point opened the visitors’ account, but after twelve minutes Leacy broke a ball to his left before turning to send a swift ground shot to the net, giving his side a 1-4 to 0-1 advantage.
Leacy was by no means finished as he continued to trouble the defence, adding further goals in the 20th and 24th minutes, before Rathgarogue-Cushinstown managed to pull a goal back two minutes into additional time through Ken Slattery.
The eventual winners still sat comfortably though, leading by 3-8 to 1-2 at interval.
The expected Rathgarogue-Cushinstown second-half recovery failed to materialise. Despite enjoying more outfield possession, they lacked penetration in attack, and still trailed by 3-11 to 1-7 at the end of the third quarter.
While Leacy had taken a wellearned rest at this stage, Blackwa- ter still managed a fourth goal from substitute Declan O‘Leary as they cruised into the final.
Blackwater: Robert O’Leary; Brian Dooley, Kevin Purcell, Darragh Walsh; Paddy Cullen, Aaron Culleton, Gavin O’Toole; Kerril Sutton (0-2), Seánie Purcell; Ben Redmond (0-1), Wayne O’Connor, Jake Nobbs (0-6, 3 frees); Mikey Byrne, Lar Leacy (3-1), James Dooley (0-2). Subs. - Mark Donoghue for Walsh, Kieran Roche for Leacy, Declan O’Leary (1-0) for Byrne, James Roche for Nobbs, M.J. Kelly for Cullen
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Nicky Sinnott; Ian Kennedy, John O’Keeffe, Liam Roche; Eoin Whelan, Paudie McGrath, Colm Murphy; Peter Aspel (0-4, 2 frees), James Devereux (0-1); Chris Kent (0-1), Ken Slattery (1-1), Aaron Ryan; Colm Whelan (0-1 free), Mark Carroll, Paddy Barron. Subs. - Barry Murphy for Barron, John James Carroll for Slattery, Shane O’Connor for Kent, Shane Kelly for O’Keeffe, James Bolger for Whelan.
Referee: Mick Lanigan (Shelmaliers).