SAHC: Finn O'Brien and Conor Lenihan hit the net as Erin's Own edge out Killeagh
Erin's Own's Shane Irwin evades the challenge from Killeagh's Brendan Delaney during the SAHC match in Castlemartyr. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Erin’s Own’s strong start to the Co-op SuperStores SAHC continued at Castlemartyr on Sunday.
The opportunity presented itself for either side to take a firm grip on proceedings at the top of Group 2, following victories over Na Piarsaigh and Fermoy in round one.
Conor Lenihan was in superb form for the Caherlag outfit, recording an impressive 1-8, including scoring each of his side’s points in the first half, as he inspired Erin’s Own over the line to victory.
Lenihan notched his, and Erin’s Own’s, first point of the day five minutes in, backing up a strong spell of possession since the whistle blew. Killeagh quickly responded two minutes later, with Ben Walsh driving the sliotar between the posts to restore parity.
Erin’s Own soon found themselves leading again however, with Lenihan grabbing his second courtesy of a free. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued, as Cork star Barry Walsh levelled the scoring immediately.
Lenihan was at it again in the 15th minute, with his effort sailing over bar to leave the score at 0-3 to 0-2 in favour of the Cahalag side. Once more Killeagh responded as Shane Smiddy, a late inclusion in the starting fifteen, fired his side level.
Another free was converted in the 20th minute by Lenihan, before Killeagh fullback Jane Fogarty’s long-range effort was rewarded with a point. The first goal of the contest followed soon after, as Lenihan riffled the sliotar into the bottom right corner of the Killeagh net, to push Erin’s Own further ahead.
The final seven minutes of the first half belonged to Killeagh. Four scores, courtesy of Barry Walsh, Andy Walsh, Ryan McCarthy and Evan Lane fired them into a 1-4 to 0-8 lead at the break.
With the game tight, the second half livened the contest up much more. Both teams exchanged scores in the opening stages, with a Barry Walsh double and an Eoghan Keniry effort aiding Killeagh, while Erin’s Own more than played their part in an entertaining start to the half. Lenihan was at it once more, while Matt O’Riordan also got in on the act.
Erin’s Own soon hit their groove. Four scores in quick succession through Peter O’Shea, Cork’s Robbie O’Flynn, Oran O’Regan and Lenihan saw Erin’s Own rediscover and stretch their lead. Killeagh’s Ryan McCarthy did his best to eat away at the advantage, but a goal on 46th minute mark through Finn O’Brien put Erin’s Own in firm control of proceedings.
O’Riordan and Lenihan combined again to add further scores, before an open and entertaining final 10 wielded six more points. Killeagh substitute David Buckley came agonisingly close to reducing the deficit, but his effort came crashing off the post.
Lenihan made one final contribution in the 53rd minute, with his last point of the game, as substitute Barry Óg Murphy added two to seal the win. Three scores from Barry Walsh wasn’t enough for a valiant Killeagh team.
Now in a commanding position in Group 2, Erin’s Own will look to steal qualification as group winners against Fermoy, while Killeagh meet Na Piarsaigh.
C Lenihan 1-8 (0-4 f), F O’Brien 1-0, B Óg Murphy 0-2, P O’Shea, R O’Flynn, O O’Regan 0-1 each.
Barry Walsh 0-7 (0-5 f), R McCarthy 0-2, J Fogarty, S Smiddy, A Walsh, E Lane, E Keniry 0-1 each.
T Dillon; C O’Connor, S Broderick, R O’Regan; C Dunphy, O O’Regan, C Dooley; C McDonnell, T Connell; P O’Shea, R O’Flynn, M O’Riordan; F O’Brien, S Irwin, C Lenihan.
M O’Carrol for S Irwin (37), L Casey for T Connell (53), B Óg Murphy for F O’Brien (54 inj).
F Murphy; C Fitzgibbon, J Fogarty, S Long; Ben Walsh, B Delaney, A Walsh; R Sinclair, E Lane; Barry Walsh, G Walsh Wallace, D Walsh; E Keniry, R McCarthy, S Smiddy.
D Buckley for G Walsh Wallace (44), D Hogan for B Delaney (50), F Brennan for A Walsh (56 inj), P O’Brien for E Keniry (57).
Jimmy Smiddy (Castlemartyr).
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