Blarney and Erin’s Own served up a thrilling spectacle under the lights of Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday night in the Rebel Óg Mid Minor Division 1 Hurling Replay. After their first meeting in Inniscarra ended all square, a sizeable crowd gathered at the famous venue expecting fireworks – and they got exactly that.

Blarney burst out of the blocks, showing intent from the throw-in and were rewarded with an early goal to seize control. At half time, they led 1-9 to 0-7, taking that advantage into the home of hurling’s dressing rooms.

Reinvigorated on their return, Blarney’s back line unit produced a rock-solid display, hounding and blocking at every turn to limit Erin’s Own’s scoring chances. Although the opposition fought back bravely, some outstanding scores from Blarney in the closing stages stemmed the tide.

Such was the intensity of the contest that several players cramped up, yet the pace and skill level never dipped on the slick surface. When the final whistle blew, Blarney’s players and supporters celebrated a memorable victory on a scoreline of Blarney 1-18, Erin’s Own 1-12, a fitting end to a cracking game of hurling.