Blackrock–Glen Rovers hurling rivalry
[1][2] Blackrock and Glen Rovers first played a senior championship match on 25 April 1926; as of October 2020, the two clubs have faced each other 39 times in total.
Blackrock along with their great rivals from the early years of the championship St. Finbarr's, are the only two teams that have never been relegated or faced regrading from senior level.
[5] Glen Rovers was established in 1916 after five Blackpool-based members of the Brian Dillons club broke away over the failure to present winners' medals to the players after claiming the Cork Minor Championship in 1915.
The Cork Examiner noted the one-sided nature of the game, with Blackrock claiming a 7–08 to 1–03 victory, however, it was also reported that the Glen hurled "well and determinedly" in the first half.
Fourteen points separated the teams at the final whistle, with contemporary newspaper reports highlighting that the game "fell far short of expectations" but "the superiority of the Glen Rovers was unmistakeable all the way from the first ball."
Blackrock held a one-point half-time lead, however, the Glen took complete control in the second half after Jack Lynch was moved to centre-forward.
In what was regarded as "a real day for the veterans", Jack Lynch and Din Joe Buckley of the Glen and Johnny Quirke of Blackrock came in for particular praise.
Top Glen Rovers forward Christy Ring was limited to just one goal as Blackrock held them scoreless for 30 minutes to secure a 2–10 to 2–02 victory and a first title since 1931.
In what was described in the Cork Examiner as a "memorable" game, the Glen dominated the first half, while the Rockies took command after the interval and, courtesy of a fortuitous Donie Collins goal, secured a 2–12 to 2–10 win.
On 3 October 1976, the Glen and the Rockies clashed in a second successive final, the first to be played at newly built Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Glen Rovers looked to be destined for a second successive defeat when they trailed by six points at half time and lost their inspirational defender Denis Coughlan to an eye injury.
Blackrock's Alan Connolly knocked over a last-minute free to tie the game at 1–20 to 3–14, seconds after Patrick Horgan looked like he had clinched victory for the Glen with a point.
Blackrock capitalised on the opportunity presented to them in extra-time with substitutes Robbie Cotter, Alan O'Callaghan and Tadhg Deasy scoring a combined tally of 3-5 when introduced.
