The Blarney/Rathpeacon U16 hurlers served up an absolute cracker in Blarney last night when they faced a much-fancied Cloghduv outfit in the Premier 2 Hurling Championship.
Earlier in the day, it looked like the Irish weather would have its say – the kind of rain that soaks you twice – but by throw-in the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and so did a big crowd who knew they were in for a thriller.
Cloghduv arrived unbeaten, stacked with talent, and carrying the swagger of a team used to winning. Blarney, on the other hand, came in with two defeats and one win, but also with momentum, hunger, and a bit of fire in the belly. This was never going to be a tame affair.
From the off, it was score for score – neither side giving an inch. An early injury to Blarney’s full forward might have rattled a lesser team, but instead it gave the crowd the welcome sight of a long-awaited returnee, back from months on the sideline, slotting straight in.
Blarney hurled with heart and smarts. The management on the line pulled strings and shuffled pieces like chess masters, and you could see the plans paying off. Every turnover, every hook, every block fed into a game where the home team simply refused to wilt. At half-time it was all square, nine apiece – proof that Blarney weren’t here to make up the numbers.
The second half was chaos in the best possible way: goals keeping Cloghduv’s noses in front, while Blarney clawed them back with points born of sheer graft and flashes of brilliance. The half-forward line soared into the sky to win ball, sent over monster scores, and then sprinted back to protect their defence. The middle third tore into everything that moved, hunting in packs, harrying like their lives depended on it, turning over possession and driving forward with ferocious intent.
And then – the drama. The clock in the red, the crowd holding their breath. Up stepped a Blarney man to nail a monster free from the sideline, nudging the home side ahead by the slimmest of margins. One last puck out, danger looming, but the Cloghduv dangerman carried it over the line – and that was that. Final whistle. Pandemonium. Blarney’s second championship win of 2025.
Where they go from here will depend on other results, but make no mistake: this was a statement. This was a team that showed character, guts, and no shortage of class. The management made the hard calls, the players stood tall, and the crowd left knowing they’d just witnessed something special.
An Bhlarna Abú!
Earlier in the day, it looked like the Irish weather would have its say – the kind of rain that soaks you twice – but by throw-in the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and so did a big crowd who knew they were in for a thriller.
Cloghduv arrived unbeaten, stacked with talent, and carrying the swagger of a team used to winning. Blarney, on the other hand, came in with two defeats and one win, but also with momentum, hunger, and a bit of fire in the belly. This was never going to be a tame affair.
From the off, it was score for score – neither side giving an inch. An early injury to Blarney’s full forward might have rattled a lesser team, but instead it gave the crowd the welcome sight of a long-awaited returnee, back from months on the sideline, slotting straight in.
Blarney hurled with heart and smarts. The management on the line pulled strings and shuffled pieces like chess masters, and you could see the plans paying off. Every turnover, every hook, every block fed into a game where the home team simply refused to wilt. At half-time it was all square, nine apiece – proof that Blarney weren’t here to make up the numbers.
The second half was chaos in the best possible way: goals keeping Cloghduv’s noses in front, while Blarney clawed them back with points born of sheer graft and flashes of brilliance. The half-forward line soared into the sky to win ball, sent over monster scores, and then sprinted back to protect their defence. The middle third tore into everything that moved, hunting in packs, harrying like their lives depended on it, turning over possession and driving forward with ferocious intent.
And then – the drama. The clock in the red, the crowd holding their breath. Up stepped a Blarney man to nail a monster free from the sideline, nudging the home side ahead by the slimmest of margins. One last puck out, danger looming, but the Cloghduv dangerman carried it over the line – and that was that. Final whistle. Pandemonium. Blarney’s second championship win of 2025.
Where they go from here will depend on other results, but make no mistake: this was a statement. This was a team that showed character, guts, and no shortage of class. The management made the hard calls, the players stood tall, and the crowd left knowing they’d just witnessed something special.
An Bhlarna Abú!
