Erin's Own bag three goals against Meelin to reach Premier Junior semis

Erin's Own 3-14 Meelin 0-16

ERIN'S Own were good value for a seven-point victory over Meelin in the Co-Op Superstores Premier Junior Hurling quarter-final at Mallow.

By the end of the hour, the reigning Co. JAHC champions were deserving of the spoils with goals at crucial stages key to the destination of the outcome. When required, the victors hurled with greater authority and adjusted to the tempo of the game with greater ease after Meelin shaded the opening half.

Erins Own settled into the proceedings quickly, setting out their stall from a pointed free by Alan Bowen. However a run of stoppages owing to injuries halted the play to upset the rhythm of the contest, sloppy play saw scores become a premium, Meelin opening their account from Nicholas Linehan to tie up matters at 0-1 apiece by the end of the low key opening quarter.

Meelin stepped up the tempo, the accurate Linehan obliged with a pair only for Erin's Own to strike the initial blow in the 20th minute, Tom Foley netting after keeper Steven Martin O’Sullivan saved well from Mark Collins.

Again Meelin dug their way back, Brendan O’Sullivan and Maurice O’Keeffe solid in defence, which allowed good ball into attack for Linehan and Jimmy McAulliffe split the uprights for a 0-9 to 1-4 advantage at the break. 

The Caherlag side increased the intensity levels on the resumption as Brian O’Sullivan, Cormac McDonnell, Shane Murphy and Andrew O’Sullivan came to terms with the requirements of the occasion.

Talisman Bowen pointed from play and a placed ball to force parity for the fourth occasion. And the centre-forward became a pivotal figure on availing of a pass from John Kavanagh to drill home a goal in the 36th min.

Though Meelin answered with a Jason O’Callaghan point, Erins Own consolidated their position with a pair of points from Andrew O’Sullivan to forge ahead 2-8 to 0-10. Steadily Erins Own were putting daylight between the sides before Meelin took brief encouragement from the accuracy of O’Callaghan.

However Erins Own stayed with the task and clearly shaped up the better of the two sides, confirmed in the 48th minute, the ideally placed O’Sullivan blasted home his side’s third goal. Hard though as Meelin attempted to address the situation, they were unable to penetrate a tenacious Erin's Own rearguard.

The reality was Erin's Own held a measure of control, seeing the task to a successful conclusion to secure a place in the penultimate hurdle against Barryroe. On this performance, Erin's Own are shaping up really well for a tilt at a second county title.

Scorers for Erin's Own: A Bowen 1-6 (0-3 f), A O’Sullivan 1-2, T Foley 1-0, J Kavanagh, S Murphy 0-2 each, M Collins, C Dunphy 0-1 each.

Meelin: N Linehan 0-7 f, J O’Callaghan 0-6, J McAuliffe 0-2, M McAuliffe 0-1.

ERIN'S OWN: T Dillon; C O’Sullivan, P Fitzgerald, B Nolan; B Óg Murphy, I O’Mahoney, C McDonnell; S Murphy, A O’Sullivan; G O’Mahoney, A Bowen, J McMahon; J Kavanagh, M Collins, T Foley.

Subs: A Moynihan for C O’Sullivan (ht), A Power for J McMahon (55), C Dunphy for T Foley (57), J Casey for A Bowen (60).

MEELIN: S M O’Sullivan; B Carroll, M O’Keeffe, J O’Sullivan; B O’Sullivan, S Curtin, J Curtin; Ciarán Curtin, W Murphy; N Linehan, J Forrest, J O’Callaghan; J McAulliffe, M McAuliffe, S Hehir.

Subs: L Collins for J Forrest (41), T J Twomey for S Hehir (49).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).