Erin's Own close to their own piece of history with another final in sight

Erin’s Own's second team have grown quite accustomed with success in recent years. 

With back-to-back title wins at Premier Junior and Junior A – another county decider awaits the east Cork club. All that stands between Erin's Own and a place in the history books, is another east Cork outfit in Lisgoold.

With players like Alan Bowen in superb form (19 points across the knockout stages), the club enter the Intermediate A showpiece fixture with a real shot at never-before-seen success.

Their victory over Midleton paved the way to the final, and manager Brian O’Shea was pleased to see how strongly his side had started the derby. “We started bright enough. I felt we got in control of the game in the first half, then we got two goals to settle us down a small bit as well.

“We felt that maybe we should have had a bit more in the first half," he admitted. "We left a few scores behind that typically the lads would put over, but hey-ho we went into halftime with a bit of a cushion.” 

In a game of that nature, and a step away from a county final at the expense of one of your rivals – it wouldn’t be plain sailing all the way through. 

O’Shea certainly wasn't surprised by the shift in intensity.

“The second half was always going to be a different game and that was a much stronger wind than people might imagine when you're out there.” 

On the more competitive nature of the fiery second half, O’Shea remarked; “At the end of the day – while it's a county championship – it’s as much about local rivalry with our near neighbours.” 

DERBY

As for what kind of game the rivalry would bring – O’Shea's response is clear. 

“For as long as I've been playing hurling, we've been competing with each other, so it was always going to be that physical championship game against a team like Midleton. They’re a quality side. I mean, they're getting to the semi-finals with their first team. The lads are playing with their first team. 

You're always going to get a proper championship battle. 

A second team has never won three consecutive titles before, meaning that Erin’s Own now stand on the precipice of Cork hurling history. With a blend of youth and experience in the squad that has served them well so far, they have every chance of carving their name on both the trophy and record books.

With club senior hurler and Cork U20 Oran O'Regan back from injury and available for their Intermediate A decider, the pattern seems to be repeating itself. They had the aid of Robbie O'Flynn in last year's Premier Junior final against St Catherine's. Now they face another divisional rival with a key player at their disposal.

“We'll take tonight off and we'll then enjoy those little successes. We'll just reset and come back in three weeks. 

"We can only control what we do, and hopefully look forward to the run-in and the day out.”