Five-star Lismore rout Charleville to lay down Harty Cup marker

Monday’s comprehensive 17-point win over CBS Charleville in Kildorrery puts them in a good position in Group 3.

The overall picture will become clearer after the remainder of round two fixtures this week.

But for now, manager Fintan O’Connor is well pleased.

“We’re delighted coming up from the B. To get a win in the first game against (St Joseph’s) Tulla took the pressure off.

“We’ve a great bunch of lads, they were training last week over the midterm, anything we ask them to do, they do. You’d always be happy with that.

“Now, we know Charleville were missing probably one of the best forwards in the competition today and they lost their full-back as well, that’s hard.”

Following a competitive opening half Blackwater CS led 2-6 to 0-9, but once James Hickey powered through to hit their third goal 25 seconds after the restart, they began to carve open the CBS Charleville defence.

Six minutes later Stephen Murphy was set up by Ben Cummins for their fourth goal - Cummins and Murphy would combine for 2-12 of their total.

Ensuring there will be competition for places, Seán Óg Costin came off the bench to land Blackwater’s fifth goal 10 minutes from time after he was picked out by another sub, David O’Farrell.

The early warning signs were there for CBS Charleville - defeated semi-finalists last season - who were shorn of two influential starters in the suspended Chris Dunne (top-scorer in round 1) and Ewan Keating who was unavailable.

They did manage to stay in the hunt during the first half mainly through the accurate free-taking of Seán Byrne.

In fact, they led after 20 minutes 0-8 to 1-2, after Ben Jordan Reidy and Daniel Mackessy landed the first two points.

Adam Cummins got in for Blackwater CS opening goal in the third minute, a neat passing move involving James Hickey and Jack Twomey, and slowly they made their presence felt.

Joseph McDonnell had a huge presence for them at centre-back, and their lethal attack did little wrong.

It was Murphy’s first goal seven minutes from the break that handed them that three point advantage at the interval.

Cashel CS is up next for the winners, while CBS Charleville will look to the St Joseph’s Tulla game.

“I know a few of the Tipp lads and they have some lovely hurlers as well,” added O’Connor.

“Cashel beat Charleville the first day. Tulla are playing Cashel on Wednesday so we’ll see how that goes. Hopefully we can get a good performance against Cashel and see where it takes us.”

Scorers for Blackwater CS: S Murphy (2-4, 0-2 frees), B Cummins (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), J Hickey (1-1), A Cummins and S Óg Costin (1-0 each), C Lineen (0-2), J McDonnell (0-1).

Scorers for CBS Charleville: S Byrne (0-9, 0-8 frees), T O’Neill (0-2), B Jordan Reidy, P Daly and D Mackessy (0-1 each).

BLACKWATER CS: B Murphy (Cois Bhríde); G Kenneally (Ballyduff Upper), D O’Brien (Ballysaggart), C Lynch (St Oliver’s); B Bourke (Ballyduff Upper), J McDonnell (Cois Bhríde), S Barry (Lismore, J-Capt); H Quann (Lismore), J Hickey (Modeligo); C Lineen (Lismore), J Twomey (Cappoquin/Affane), H O’Donovan (St Oliver’s); B Cummins (Lismore, J-Capt), S Murphy (Tallow), A Cummins (Lismore).

Subs: S Óg Costin (St Oliver’s) for H O’Donovan (43), D O’Farrell (Lismore) for B Cummins, R Kavanagh (St Oliver’s) for G Kenneally (both 48), A Murphy (Cois Bhríde) for C Lineen (52), J Lonergan (St Oliver’s) for J Twomey (53).

CBS CHARLEVILLE: D Barrett (Ballyhea); A Liddy (Charleville), C O’Flynn (Charleville), A Kennedy (Ballyhea); B Kiely (Charleville), S Bresnan (Charleville, Capt), D Collins (Newtownshandrum); P Daly (Ballyhea), S Byrne (Ballyhea); T Horgan (Granagh Ballingarry), T O’Neill (Newtownshandrum), B Jordan Reidy (Newtownshandrum); C Bresnan (Charleville), D Mackessy (Ballyhea), B Farrissey (Dromina).

Subs: D Kent (Charleville) for C Bresnan (45).

Referee: Dave O’Farrell (Mitchelstown).