Duhallow ready for replay with Rock
ON paper it was hard to look past Blackrock for the U21 title going into last weekend’s final against Duhallow however at the risk of over doing cliché’s “Hurling isn’t played on paper,” and if it was then both teams would need to agree to the script and clearly that wasn’t the case as Duhallow gave everything they had on the night to deservedly come away with a draw at Pairc Uí Rinn.
As with most divisional sides, the odds were stacked against Duhallow for a host of reasons going into this one however that was never likely to deter the management team of Timmy Burke (Kanturk), Brendan Withers (Banteer) and Alan Sheehy (Tullylease) who believe they have got a very good bunch in their setup at present.
“The lads performed really well, as we expected that they would” Burke told The Corkman after the dust had settled on his side’s last minute goal that secured another day out against the Rockies.
“We were very optimistic going into the game, and we will be again on Friday night. We are far from over confident as we are playing Blackrock and everyone knows what they are capable of but we believe in our own players and their abilities.”
Words like confidence have often being missing from divisional teams over the years as they struggled to get a hold of players during campaigns however in Duhallow the mind-set has changed and success looks set to be close behind.
“These things often go in cycles and at the moment Duhallow seems to be in a good cycle” said Burke. “The senior team are doing well and that shows the U21s that there is life after their grade.
“That was often a problem but with the success of the individuals like Lorcan (McLoughlin) Anthony (Nash) Mark (Ellis) and Aidan (Walsh) the lads can now see that they can do it too.
“We are lucky enough in Duhallow that the board are right behind us and whatever we want they facilitate it. The players as well all know each other and most would have gone to school together and played together before we get them which means it is not all new to them. All these things help as you head into a championship.
“This year we went for more challenge matches and less training sessions as that seems to bring out the players.
“It is easier to get 18 or 20 players to turn up to a game than 7 – 8 to a training sessions. Players get a chance to put their hand up in a game, it is harder to stand out in training.”
Next Friday looks like providing more top class entertainment as the sides go again to decide who will take the county title.
“Under 21 tends to be a very honest grade of hurling. Teams tend to go out to play. The teams don’t get months together so there isn’t massive tactics. Teams try to play 1-15 and this usually makes for exciting action. Next Friday will be no different and hopefully we will come out on the right side of this one.”
Last Friday, Duhallow had to rely on a last minute goal from substitute James Fitzpatrick after having to play 40 minutes with just 14 after the dismissal of Garreth Linehan.
This time they will look to keep all their players on the pitch and see if their tasty brand of north Cork hurling can bring more silverware to what is fast becoming the division that others want to emulate.
The Rockies for their part will be keen to add to their already impressive trophy cabinet and will feel that they should have already claimed this title.
We are lucky enough in Duhallow that the board are right behind us and whatever we want they facilitate it
– Timmy Burke
BLACKROCK: G Connolly; J Ryan, J Cashman, R Coleman; A Murphy, A O’Callaghan, N Cashman; S Murphy 0-2 (1f), D Meaney; J O’Sullivan 0-4, I O’Keeffe, R Dineen; A Nolan 1-0, P Lynch, M O’Halloran 0-5 (2f) Subs: C Cormack 0-1 for P Lynch, T Deasy for R Dineen (both 43), L O’Sullivan for I O’Keeffe (52)
DUHALLOW: B Kenneally (Kanturk); P Allen (Newmarket), P Walsh (Kanturk), J Murphy (Dromtariffe); A O’Keeffe (Kanturk), D Browne (Kanturk) 0-1, K Cremin (Dromtariffe); S Crowley (Kilbrin), J O’Callaghan (Meelin); D Kenneally (Kanturk), I Walsh (Kanturk), G Linehan (Kilbrin) 0-1; B O’Connor (Newmarket) 0-2, D Hannon (Newmarket) 0-3 (1f), L O’Keeffe (Kanturk) 0-5 (3f) Subs: J Fitzpatrick (Kanturk) 1-0, for I Walsh, S Howard (Dromtariffe) for S Crowley (both 42), C O’Keeffe (Newmarket) for D Kenneally, C Murphy (Castlemagner) for B O’Connor (both 55)
REFEREE: N Wall (Carrigaline)