Martin Bowen on the future of Erin's Own: Despite relegation club is in a strong place
Erin's Own club legend Martin Bowen has dedicated his life to the Caherlag club. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
There is no shortage of hard-working secretaries among the GAA community in this city and county to keep their clubs on the right path and Martin Bowen certainly fall into that category.
For the Erin’s Own stalwart, it is simply a way of life for almost 50 years. Since the late 1970s, he has served every role he's been asked to do in Caherlag, including secretary.
After a season that saw his beloved club lose their Premier Senior Hurling status, Bowen reflected on the campaign with mixed feelings.
“Our opening game against the Glen was always going to be a test. We lost by seven points but I did feel we had chances to win it. Overall, it was a decent display."
When Erin’s Own and Sarsfield’s clash, there is always a bite to the game but this summer Bowen felt they were totally outclassed.
“I have said on many occasions this is a very good Sars team and to be honest they had too much for us and it was a case of getting ready for Fr O’Neill’s.”
The clash against Fr O’Neill’s was a tough encounter but once again Erin’s Own fell short.
“We looked okay at half time after playing some good hurling but in the second half they outplayed us, but we could have forced a draw that would have put Douglas into the relegation play off with Newtownshandrum.”
The Newtown game proved to be almost identical to the Fr O’Neill’s clash as Bowen felt his club had lost the rub of the green.
“You wouldn’t have envisaged us losing this game at half-time in the drawn match. We had a 10-point lead after having the wind but in the end, we were probably lucky to get a draw.”
The replay was another tough encounter on a cold Friday evening at Ballyhooly.
“I didn’t get there as I was sick but to lose was a huge disappointment and I know the lads were gutted with getting relegated.
“The reality is when you play five games and don’t win any of them the inevitable happens. That’s where we are but hopefully, we can rebuild.”
His son Shay was manager but, after a tough year, decided to step down.
“Some of the lads indicated change was needed and Shay had no problem stepping down because he had given the job his best shot.”
Relegation gives people time to reflect on what failed during the year.
“On a positive note, we had a six U21 players. The truth is that our juvenile section wasn’t great for a number of years and that caught up with us. Thankfully we have addressed that in recent times.”
It’s been a season of what could have been for Erin’s Own across the board.
“We lost the U21 East Cork semi-final to Bride Rovers by the minimum and also lost the East Cork football final but that’s sport and we have to drive on and get the winning factor back to our club.”
Across the club, Bowen feels there are lots of good things going on.
“Our minor team were in two county finals, albeit not in the Premier grades, and our U21 team were battling hard with Bride Rovers and Midleton, two of the strongest clubs in our division.”
Development at Caherlag continues to expand with new dressing rooms that will include a 'One Club' model with that merger very close.
“We are almost there with camogie and ladies football all under the one umbrella as next season there will be three female officers in our club.
“New lights on the second pitch are also being installed in the New Year so we have lots going on keep us busy going forward.”
Bowen was quick to pay tribute to the unsung heroes in the club.
“We have people like Timmy Lambe, Tom Mackey, Sean Power and Tom Aherne are four men out of a group of 14 that are consistently behind the scenes keeping our show on the road and many thanks to all concerned for their dedication.”
The Cork senior hurling team was praised by Bowen, a former Cork selector himself, as he believes there is great talent in the county.
“I would know Pat Ryan personally and I thought he was a fantastic manager in what he did over his three years was simply incredible.
“Good luck to Ben O’Connor and his team as I think it’s going to be another tough test, but he has been through the mill and I am sure he will have the whole county behind him.”
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