Duhallow need improvement to upset Blackrock in SHC

DUHALLOW face a tough task on coming up against Blackrock in Round 2A to the County SHC at Pairc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening. In terms of preparation, the club holds all the aces and it will require a concerted effort by Duhallow to swing the encounter.

With both sides enjoying first round wins, both team will remain in the championship, the winners progress at least to Round 4 or a quarter-final with the loser involved in Round 3.

It took a late series of raids for Duhallow to get the nod over Carrigdhoun for the second consecutive season in the initial hurdle. Just like the 2015 showdown, there was little to separate the pair, Duhallow on top in the opening 30 minutes, but Carrigdhoun fought back, the sides were deadlocked for the fifth time with four minutes remaining.

Duhallow, however, saw out the action courtesy of a pair of points from Michael Vaughan and an injury time goal from Gareth Linehan. Subsequently club and county involvement curtailed Duhallow’s preparation but the side enjoyed a useful workout against UCC earlier this week.

From the opening round the Rockies displayed an eagerness and determination to leave their mark on this campaign after a nine point triumph over Ballyhea. On doing so, Blackrock turned the tables on a hefty defeat at the hands of Ballyhea the previous season. No surprises this time around, the pace and power of the Blackrock surfaced with corner forward Kevin O’Keeffe claiming a 1-12 tally.

It’s been a productive season to date for Blackrock, their league form pretty good, seven wins and a draw with big tallies clocked up at the expense of Newcestown and Ballyhea since the start of the month.

With better preparation, Blackrock wear the favourites tag, Duhallow will need to show an improvement from their initial outing. If that’s forthcoming it could make for an interesting tussle.

Meanwhile Duhallow take on Mallow in the opening round to the County U-21 HC in Buttevant on Wednesday evening.