Premier JHC final: Robbie O'Flynn could feature for Erin's Own against St Catherine's

Cork star Robbie O’Flynn could feature as Erin’s Own look to follow in the footsteps of Lisgoold and Ballygiblin on Saturday evening.

They clash with St Catherine’s in the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier JHC final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (5pm). The fifth tier of Cork hurling was known as the Lower IHC in its first two years, 2020 and 2021, before being recast as the Premier JHC last year. Following Castlemartyr’s win in 2020, Lisgoold – just up from junior A – triumphed a year later and Ballygiblin followed suit in 2022.

Now, Erin’s Own are the third straight junior A champions to reach the following year’s county final. And yet, the Glounthaune side’s journey might have ended at the group stage.

Drawn with Glen Rovers, Argideen Rangers and last year’s beaten finalists Tracton, Erin’s Own began with a four-point loss to Glen Rovers before beating Argideen Rangers by two.

With Tracton already out before the last group game, Erin’s Own did enough to beat them but they were heading out on scoring difference as Argideen beat the Glen. A late point from Tom Foley was crucial as Erin’s Own edged out the Timoleague side – a scoring difference of plus-five compared to plus-four for Argideen – and they built on that with victories over Meelin and then Barryroe.

Alan Bowen and Andrew O’Sullivan have impressed while O’Flynn – unable to line out for the Erin’s Own seniors due to injury – came on against Barryroe and would be a huge asset to them if he were able to play some part.

St Catherine’s were in a tough group with Russell Rovers, Meelin and St Finbarr’s but emerged from that undefeated, topping the section and advancing straight to the semi-finals.

There, they saw off the Glen on a 2-11 to 0-13 scoreline, with the Ballynoe club having goals from Kevin Barry and Eoin Condon while Seán O’Donoghue scored six points.

Catherine’s goalkeeper Eoin Davis was between the sticks for the Imokilly side that only lost to Sarsfields in the county Premier SHC semi-final after extra time while Daniel Mangan and Kyle Wallace were also part of the divisional side’s squad.

The game will be preceded at 3pm by the SAHC semi-final between Bride Rovers and Blarney. A fortnight ago, the sides finished level after 60 and 80 minutes before Bride Rovers won in a penalty shootout.

However, Blarney lodged an objection to the result due to the fact that Rovers had 16 players on the pitch during a key play at the end of extra time, when they won the free that earned them the equaliser to necessitate the penalties.

Bride Rovers players Jason Mannix and Cian O’Connor were suspended for the original game but those suspensions are considered to have been served and the pair are available for tomorrow’s match, which begins at 3pm.