Premier SHC: Kanturk push on after the break to see off wasteful Erin's Own

Kanturk: 1-18 

Erin’s Own: 1-14 

Kanturk have picked up a hugely important victory over Erin’s Own in the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC at Mallow on Friday evening.

It was all square at the break but the Duhallow side pushed on after the break for what was a comfortable win in the end. Considering that Midleton and Charleville are also in this very difficult group, a win was a necessity and it was Kanturk who came up with the goods. 

They had a better balance to their team and got the scores at crucial stages when it looked like Erin’s Own were going to gain the upper hand. Cork hurler Robbie O’Flynn, well marshalled by Tommy Walsh, was very quiet by his high standards as the beaten outfit lacked punch up front. They could have won this game on another day if it wasn’t for wayward shooting as they haven’t won a championship game now in two years.  

The sides traded frees inside the opening four minutes as Eoghan Murphy converted for Erin’s Own and Brian O’Sullivan did likewise for his team. The sides swapped frees once again, the same players doing the business before the first score from play came after 10 minutes when Lorcan O’Neill pointed for Kanturk.

Erin's Own put together two unanswered white flags before the Duhallow side struck for a goal after 14 minutes. Liam O’Keeffe sent a gorgeous ball into the path of Alan Walsh, the latter turned his marker and slotted the ball into the back of the net, 1-3 to 0-4. The Caherlag-based outfit did respond with three of the next five points with James O’Carroll’s long range effort the highlight, 1-5 to 0-7 after 18 minutes.  

In a right ding-dong battle between two physical teams, the sides once again swapped white flags until the move of the game resulted in Alan Walsh bisecting the posts for the team in green and white following great work by Paul Walsh and Colin Walsh in the build-up.

Arguably against the run of play, Erin’s Own netted a timely goal three minutes before the break when Conor Lenihan’s effort nestled into the corner of the net as they nudged in front, 1-8 to 1-7. But it would be all level at the break which was no surprise as Kanturk hit two of the last three points of the half, 1-9 apiece at the interval.

It was a slow burner to the second half with wides for both teams before O’Sullivan tapped over an easy free for Kanturk seven minutes in quickly followed by points from Colin Walsh and O’Neill. It was all Kanturk and another Colin Walsh boomer pushed his side 1-13 to 1-9 clear after 42 minutes. Daniel O’Connell's white flag gave Kanturk a five-point lead with Erin’s Own struggling but they did get their first score of the half 22 minutes in when Matt O’Riordan got a point, 1-14 to 1-10.  

The teams shared the next four points with a minute remaining on the clock, time was against Erin's Own. An O’Riordan free cut the gap down a goal, 1-16 to 1-13, but there was no stopping Kanturk as they landed two of the last three points to seal the victory. Sub Rory Sheahan, who looked lively, got one of those scores from an acute angle for Tom Walsh's charges.

Kanturk take on last year’s beaten finalists Midleton in their next group match in three weeks’ time while Erin’s Own meet Charleville. 

Scorers for Kanturk: B O’Sullivan 0-7 (0-6 f), Alan Walsh 1-3, Aidan Walsh, C Walsh, L O’Neill 0-2 each, D O’Connell, R Sheahan 0-1 each.

Erin’s Own: E Murphy 0-5 (0-4 f), C Lenihan 1-1, M O’Riordan 0-3 (0-1 f), J Sheehan 0-2, P O’Shea, R O’Flynn (f), J O’Carroll 0-1 each.

KANTURK: G Buckinskas; J McLoughlin, J Browne, M Healy; L McLoughlin, R Walsh, T Walsh; B O’Sullivan, P Walsh; D O’Connell, L O’Neill, Aidan Walsh; Alan Walsh, L O’Keeffe, C Walsh.

Subs: I Walsh for L O’Keeffe (h-t), R Sheahan for Aidan Walsh (55), C Clernon for D O'Connell (59).

ERIN’S OWN: S Bowen; C O’Connor, S Broderick, C Dumphy; J Sheehan, C Dooley, B Óg Murphy; P O’Shea, C McDonnell; R O’Flynn, M O’Riordan, J O’Carroll; C Lenihan, M O’Carroll, E Murphy.

Subs: T Foley for J O’Carroll, S Irwin for E Murphy (both 43), S Kelly for C McDonnell (55).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).