Carraig na bhFear win the East Cork Junior A football title for the second time in their history
Carrig Na BhFear captain Tadhg O'Donoghue raises the Jim Ryan cup with Avril Geary chairperson and Jerry O'Sullivan president East Cork after defeating Erin's Own in the Michael O'Connor Motor Factors East Cork J'A'FC final at Ballinacurra. Picture; Eddie O'Hare
Erin's Own 1-8 (1-2-4)
Carraig na bhFear 3-12 (3-1-10)
For the second time in their history Carraig na bhFear are the East Cork Junior A Football champions following a deserved victory over Erin's Own at Ballinacurra on Monday afternoon.
Fifty years since they last won at this grade the Jim Ryan Cup is making its way back to Carraig.
Substitute Billy Connolly gave a man of the match performance, introduced on 40 minutes he covered every blade of grass and was also a key figure in setting up his side's scores.
2-4 without reply in the final fifteen minutes helped turn the tie in Carraig's favour.
Level for the fourth and final time when Connolly set up Sean O'Donoghue for the leveler 1-8 apiece on 42 minutes.
Just two minutes prior Erin's Own had gone in front when Conor Lenihan found the back of net 1-8 to 1-7 but they wouldn't score again.
Colm Murphy raised white for Carraig for the lead score there was no stopping them when Evan Flynn got his side's second goal of the game a fine finish to the back of the net.
Further scores from Murphy and O'Donoghue moved Carraig seven in front with lateral putting the seal on the win with a third green flag one minute into injury time.
Erin's Own did start brightly when Cathal Lenihan with a peach of a shot from outside the arc 0-2 to 0-0 after two minutes.
Carraig hit back with two unanswered white flags.
The first goal chance came when Timmy Geaney played O'Donoghue through on goal but the effort just went wide of the post.
They did go in front when Rob Sheehan pointed, Tom O'Riordan was calm and composed with the reply a brace to move Erin's Own 0-4 to 0-3 in front by the half way stage.
The remainder of the half saw both sides trade three points each including an orange flag each. At half time it was 0-7 to 0-6 to Erin's Own.
The lead became two in the early stages of the second half but Carraig hit back with 1-1 without reply led by Connolly his long ball found its way to O'Donoghue who rounded his man before finishing to the bottom corner of the net 1-7 to 0-8.
Lenihan's reply was swift and quick, a goal within seconds after falling behind.
They wouldn't score again as Carraig na bhFear with Connolly to the fore took over, not stopping them now.
Scorers for Erin's Own: T O'Riordan 0-6 (0-4f) (1 2ptf), Conor Lenihan 1-0, Cathal Lenihan 0-2 (1 2pt), Scorers for Carraig na bhFear: S O'Donoghue 2-2, C Murphy 0-7 (0-2f/ 1 2 ptf), E Flynn 1-0, T Geaney, R Sheehan, S Whelan 0-1 each.
Erin's Own: C O'Donoghue; C Nolan, S Power, C Dumphy; R Blackton (capt), C Dooley, J Carroll; Cathal Lenihan, C O'Mahony; M O'Riordan, C McDonnell, S Broderick; T O'Riordan, M Carroll, Conor Lenihan.
Subs: P O'Shea for Broderick (HT) S Guilfoyle for Carroll (42), C O'Connor for Carroll (49), E Murphy for Matt O'Riordan (53), J Ryan for Nolan (62 FT)
Carraig na bhFear: A Ryan; R McCarthy, S Farrell, C Cooney; P Sheehan, T O'Donoghue (capt), T Geaney; M Ahern, A Bowen; R Sheehan, E Flynn, J Ahern; S Whelan, C Murphy, S O'Donoghue.
Subs: B Connolly for J Ahern (39), O Crowley for Bowen (42), C Murphy for Whelan (45), P Geaney for Cooney (48), D Sweeney for S O'Donoghue (61+2)
Referee: Pa O'Driscoll (Bride Rovers).
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