Fr.O Neills 2:12 v Blackrock 0:11

On a crisp sunny October morning Fr O Neill’s faced the mighty Blackrock in the Premier 1 Co.Final. The famous St Finbarr’s grounds in Togher was the venue. After losing out to the same opposition in three finals in 2011 Fr O Neill’s knew it would take something special to turn things around.From the time referee Michael O Harrington threw in the ball this game was fiercely contested as no quarter was asked or given. After taking the lead with the first point from a free from the reliable Declan Dalton. Fr O Neill’s missed a few chances and allowed Blackrock to take control of the game and take the lead but in the 20th minute Ger Millerick doubled on a ground ball and as it broke inside, Billy Dunne ran through to place a ground stroke in the corner of the net. This restored a narrow advantage in favour of Fr O Neill’s and after that they hurled with more confidence. O Neill’s led at half time 1 05 to 0 06. Scores from play were hard to come by such was the ferocity of the tackling on both sides. In the 40th minute Declan Dalton scored Fr O Neill’s second goal after Billy Dunne ran through from the forty and hand passed to Dalton who still had work to do before he buried the sliotar in the Blackrock net. This put 6 points between the sides, but Blackrock fought back and closed to gap to 3 points. They pushed hard for a goal but the Fr O Neill backs were brilliant on the day and when Blackrock breached the rearguard the goalie Conor O Driscoll was not letting anything pass. Micheal Millerick was particularly impressive in a strong backline and Mark Motherway did his job well.

A gracious Declan Dalton received the Daniel O Sullivan cup from the Central Board chairman Mr.Jim Forbes.

Scorers Declan Dalton 1 08 (7f) Billy Dunne 1 01 Ryan Kenneally, Conor Parker and Cillian Broderick 1 pt each.

PANEL: Conor O Driscoll, Cal Hegarty, Eoin Motherway, Sean O Connor, Michael Millerick, Mark Motherway, Daniel Harrington, Cillian Broderick, Conor Parker, Ryan Kenneally, Declan Dalton, Colm Swayne, Adam Kenneally, Billy Dunne, Ger Millerick, Adam Harrington, Oisin Murphy Jason Murphy, Ciarr O Connor, Patrick Flannagan, Colin Sloane, Clive Dunne, Eoghan Dorgan, Olan Steele.

Mentors: Luke Swayne ( Manager), Robbie Dalton, Michael Broderick.