Kanturk 0-19 Erin’s Own 1-13

KANTURK’S physical power and greater accuracy were the significant factors in their Cork SHC second-round win over Erin’s Own at Mallow yesterday afternoon, a good start giving the men from north Cork the platform for victory in a game that never quite caught fire.

Kanturk, who were missing Lorcán McLoughlin who is abroad, were the better side throughout, helped by three booming Anthony Nash frees and a return of 0-3 from Cork U20 Ryan Walsh, along with two points courtesy of Cork senior Aidan Walsh. 

While both sides took time to find their range, Kanturk had early points from Sean Carey (two) and Ian Walsh.

The north Cork side settled far quicker as a result and were on top in the opening stages, their half-back line dominant. Darren Browne and Paul Walsh ensured a decent supply to a forward line which was on the move all through, troubling their direct opponents.

On nine minutes Cian Clernon added a fourth for the north Cork side, but from the puck-out, Erin’s Own opened their account with a free from the evergreen Eoghan Murphy.

Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash promptly responded with a free from his own 45 to restore Kanturk’s advantage.

The wides were mounting for Erin’s Own — four in the first quarter alone — before Murphy’s second free on 15 minutes. Cork attacker Robbie O’Flynn, moving out of the corner to the half-line as Erin’s Own tried to get the ball to stick up front, added a fine strike for the east Cork men but Ryan Walsh responded for Kanturk — 0-6 to 0-3 on 18 minutes.

Nash bombed over another long-range free and Murphy answered with a free of his own; Sean Carey pointed a Kanturk free from close range, and Murphy responded again.

As the clock wound down there was time for two more Carey frees, giving Kanturk a 0-10 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Carey added yet another free on the resumption, with James O’Carroll pointing in reply. Murphy pointed a free as the game picked up noticeably in intensity. Erin’s Own were better in the middle of the field, with half-time sub Cathal Linehan adding energy, though they hit two poor wides before Mark Collins pointed, making it 0-11 to 0-8 on 36 minutes.

Murphy pointed yet another free to cut the lead to two, only for Carey to reply in kind from distance. Linehan won the puck-out, however, and pointed from the wing; from that puck-out the ball came to Cork dual star Aidan Walsh, who struck another point.

Another Carey free and it was 0-14 to 0-10 as the game entered the final quarter.

Maurice O’Carroll had a half-sight of goal for Erin’s Own but blazed over the bar off the run. The same player added another point soon afterward, leaving two between them.

Tempers began to fray, with skirmishes breaking out in several parts of the field, as both sides saw the finishing line approach.

The game loosened out and chances came — Carey won a great ball and fed Aidan Walsh for a point, then Erin’s Own swept downfield and James O’Carroll hit the bar; Ian Walsh pointed when Kanturk lifted that particular siege, making it 0-16 to 0-12 with 55 minutes played.

Ryan Walsh pointed from long range and Murphy, inevitably, replied with a free. Ryan Walsh’s point on 60 minutes looked like the insurance score, making it 0-18 to 0-13, all the more so when Eoghan Murphy picked up a second yellow and was dismissed on his way outfield to take yet another free.

Maurice O’Carroll’s first-time pull found the Kanturk net three minutes into injury time, but it was too late to affect the outcome. Nash’s late free pushed Kanturk three ahead and made them safe.

Scorers for Kanturk: S. Carey (0-8, 0-6 frees); R. Walsh, A. Nash (frees)(0-3 each); I. Walsh, A. Walsh (0-2 each); C. Clernon (0-1).

Erin’s Own: E. Murphy (0-7 frees); M. O’Carroll (1-2); C. Linehan, J. O’Carroll (free), R. O’Flynn, M. Collins (0-1 each).

ERIN’S OWN: K. Murphy, C. O’Connor, C. Dooley (c), J. Sheehan, S. Cronin, S. Murphy, C. O’Mahony, S. Horgan, B. Og Murphy, M. O’Carroll, J. O’Carroll, G. O’Mahony, E. Murphy, M. Collins, R. O’Flynn.

Subs: C. Linehan for O’Mahony (HT); I. O’Mahony for Cronin (51).

KANTURK: A. Nash, J. McLoughlin, L. Cashman, A. Sheehy, P. Walsh, D. Browne, J. Browne, L. O’Neill, M. Healy, A. Walsh, R. Walsh, S. Carey, C. Clernon, I. Walsh, L. O’Keeffe.

Subs: J. Fitzpatrick for J. Browne (36); J. Fullerton for O’Keeffe (52)

Referee: D. Copps (Ballyhea)