“ YOU never know what to expect when local rivals meet each other, but all those Glenroe wides in the first half gave us the chance to build up a lead,” was manager Aidan Fitzgerald's take on Blackrock's 0-23 to 0-11 victory over Glenroe on Saturday in Knocklong that keeps them in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals of the Lyons of Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship A more composed build-up, a strong presence up the middle right through the lines and a range of finishing options allowed Blackrock to leave their opponents with a mountain to climb after the break by which time they had already shot twelve wides. There were occasions when Glenroe threatened a fightback but they were fighting off the back foot in most positions which left them shooting more in hope than in confidence. Whatever hopes Glenroe had of reducing the game to an arm wrestle faltered on a sustained burst of Blackrock scores in the first quarter and they never really got the chance to settle down as the 'Rockies were always able to find an extra gear whenever a response threatened to turn into a rally.
The result leaves Blackrock fighting it out with five other contenders for a place in the semi-finals with two qualifying rounds to go. For the winless Glenroe, it looks as if their season is now reduced to a head-to-head with fellow strugglers Na Piarsaigh in their refixed clash to avoid relegation. Despite Liam Dennehy giving them the lead straight off the throw-in with a point, Gle.