A mix of youth and experience - Erin's Own have a promising future

ON the surface, 2023 was a very difficult year for Erin’s Own’s Premier Senior hurling team. They failed to win a game, and finished bottom of the group, but there’s more to it.

They suffered countless injury losses which disrupted the team all season, the most notable of those being Robbie O’Flynn, who was sidelined twice with injury.

The first time for an ankle injury while on Cork duty, and the second came against Tipperary, as he injured his hamstring while scoring Cork’s second goal.

The hamstring hit ended up keeping him side-lined for the group stage of the PSHC, meaning he could only play with their Premier Junior side, who were crowned county champions, with his involvement a big factor.

INJURIES

Robbie wasn’t the only one.

Eoghan Murphy missed four months prior to the championship with a groin injury that hampered his preparation. Mark Collins, Tiernan O’Connell and Ian O’Mahony all missed their championship campaign. That was always going to set the Caherlag club back.

Erin’s Own managed to make it out of the group in each of the previous three seasons, bowing out in the semi-final stage in 2020 and 2022, and were beaten in the quarter-final by eventual winners Midleton in 2021.

This year was the first time they failed to make it out of the group stage since the change in format.

Things certainly could have been a lot worse this year given the injury crisis that seemed so unrelenting, but they endured it. In the end, they were very close to making it out of the group, which is certainly more than the team would have expected after their defeat to Douglas in the opening round.

Erin’s Own clawed their way back to salvage a draw against Charleville and fought back brilliantly agsin against Fr O’Neills, thanks to Oran O’Regan’s composure in the latter stages.

A team with a good blend of youth and experience, it’s clear to see that they’ve got what it takes to stay in this grade.

You’ll struggle to find more competitive club hurling than Cork’s Premier Senior championship. If you’re not at your best, you’ll be punished for it.

Just ask the north side duo of Glen Rovers and Na Piarsaigh.

Despite the challenges faced this year, the east Cork side showed grit and character when it mattered most, but the best is yet to come. Five players made their championship debuts this year.

Oran O’Regan, only 20, further improved on last season and looks a real prospect for the team.

Peter O’Shea has cemented himself as a quality midfield starter, while Matt O’Riordan impressed at half forward. Shane Irwin has also began breaking into the team.

The trio are all still under the age of 19.

Tiernan O’Connell is another bright prospect for the team in blue and red, and I expect he will feature prominently in 2024.

Another with bags of potential is Finn O’Brien. He’s just out of minor and will likely be given a chance to prove himself in the league next season.

With Martin Buckley taking over from the retiring Martin Bowen, it will be interesting to see how their style of play evolves.

If they can avoid another battle with injuries, they’ll be a dark horse for the championship in 2024.