Erin's Own second team produce first-class display again to return to county final
Stephen Cronin of Erin's Own breaks past Midleton's Cian Crowley and Evan McCarthy, during their IAHC clash at Cobh. Picture: David Keane.
Erin’s Own second team are through to a remarkable third successive county final, where they'll face Lisgoold in the IAHC decider.
Key to their success was their fast start with two goals in the game’s opening quarter. Alan Bowen was superb once more, with seven points delivered against the Magpies to go along with his superb 12-point performance against Mayfield in the previous round.
Aidan Ryan was the first name in the scoring ledger with his free for Midleton, but it was Erin’s Own who would land the first knockout blow. A fantastically delivered left-wing sideline from was met by the hurl of Kieran Murphy, who directed it into the ball into the bottom left corner.
Five minutes after the opening goal, Bowen then opened his account with a free after he was fouled by Cormac O’Brien. He converted the opportunity, but his side were hit back by another Ryan free.
Barely eight minutes apart from the opener, Erin’s Own doubled their goal tally through Cathal Lenihan with a superb finish into the bottom right. Continuing to take control of the game early on, Erin’s Own saw two quick scores from Bowen in the following two minutes.
Just north of Midleton’s 65, wing-forward Ronan Blackton sent a stunning strike over on the turn as the contest ticked over 20 minutes. Bowen was unmarked and to the right of Midleton’s goal but blasted his shot over the bar, fortunately for opposition keeper Cillian Hurley.
With just four points in the first half, Midleton supporters had to wait for 30 minutes to play out before they saw their side score from play. Midfielder Rory Hartnett delivered it from a central position on the turn – in between a couple of Bowen frees and a Murphy point – so the sides went into the break separated by nine, 2-7 to 0-4 to Erin’s Own.
The Magpies did find more fight in the second half, with the resumption of play seeing a more determined side take to the field. They started trending in the right direction upon two Ryan frees and two quickfire scores from substitute Garan Manley. However, the third goal in the 39th minute killed the game for the chasing Magpies.
Miscommunication in their backline allowed an easy chance for Stephen Horgan to convert and re-extend Erin’s Own’s lead to the nine points it was at half-time. Midleton were soon down double digits as four minutes later Bowen converted a free won from their rivals overcarrying.
Ryan and Bowen went tit for tat with frees of their own – the latter’s followed by a point from John Kavanagh from the bench – who was played in by fantastic, dinked pass from marauding wing-back Dara Twomey.
With tempers flaring towards the game’s final quarter, the game began to see a scrappier feel as it approached its end. Despite their dire situation, Midleton pressed on and got the next five scores, with the midfield pairing Hartnett and Evan McCarthy scoring one each as Ryan also picked up another three frees.
It wasn’t enough to topple the three-goal mountain Erin’s Own had made, the Caherlag side will take on Lisgoold looking to complete a remarkable three promotions in as many years.
A Bowen 0-7 (0-4 f, 0-1 sl), K Murphy 1-1, S Horgan 1-0, C Lenihan 1-0, R Blackton, B Nolan, J Kavanagh 0-1 each.
A Ryan 0-9 f, R Hartnett, G Manley 0-2 each, E McCarthy 0-1.
T Dillon; B Nolan, P Fitzgerald, A Moynihan; D Twomey, I O’Mahony (c), S Cronin; C Coakley, G O’Mahony; R Blackton, A Bowen, T Connell; C Lenihan, K Murphy, S Horgan.
J Kavanagh for T Connell (38), O O’Regan for Coakley (43) S Power for G O’Mahony (48), A O’Sullivan for Bowen (56), J McMahon for Lenihan (60).
C Hurley; C O’Brien, C Murphy, G Bagnell; B O’Shea, A Faye, D Scanlon (c); R Hartnett, E McCarthy; G Carroll, A Ryan, D McCarthy; T Roche, K Farmer, C Crowley.
G Manley for D McCarthy (h-t), P O’Brien for Roche (h-t), E McGrath for Carroll (46).
Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).
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