Youghal take charge early to motor past Erin's Own into IAHC quarter-finals

Youghal 1-24 Erin’s Own 1-14

Youghal proved too strong for opponents Erin’s Own in Carrigtwohill on Friday evening in a winner-takes-all Cork IAHC encounter.

A second-half surge from Erin’s Own wasn’t enough, with Youghal smashing home a late goal from Oisín Hill to take second place in the group with Erin’s Own crashing out in third.

James Murray contributed 0-12 and Alan Geary’s charges went in 11 points to the good at the short whistle. Murray grabbed eight points, four from play, in the opening 23 minutes with Erin’s Own midfielders Sam Foley and Seanie Kelly sliding over a couple of points to keep their side in with a fighting chance.

John Kavanagh found himself one-on-one with Youghal keeper Oisin Walsh in the 20th minute, but agonisingly hit the side netting.

Michael Mulcahy's side started motoring towards the end of the first period. Eoghan Murphy fired over two points along with defender Louis Casey's effort but it was still 0-16 to 0-5 in the seasiders' favour.

A bright Erin’s Own restart narrowed the gap to nine, thanks to two Murphy frees. Youghal responded with a five-point flurry, Murray twice, O’Mahony, Frahill and Cork U20 Jayden Casey making it 0-22 to 0-8.

Erin’s Own had their best spell of the game midway through the second half, clipping 1-4 in 10 minutes, the goal courtesy of sub Cian O’Callaghan, who muscled his way past two Youghal defenders and flicked it low past Oisín Walsh: 0-22 to 1-10.

Youghal shut down the late comeback, shoring up at the back and holding firm.

A goal from Oisín Hill on the hour was the cherry on top, the forward catching well and firing with power off his right to wrap it up in style.

Scorers for Youghal: J Murray 0-12 (0-7 f), O Hill 1-2, J Casey 0-3, A Frahill 0-2, E Cronin, C Coleman, F Hill, C O’Mahony, J Lenane 0-1 each.

Erin’s Own: E Murphy 0-6 (0-3 f), C O’Mahony 0-4, C O’Callaghan 1-0, S Foley, S Kelly, D Collins, L Casey 0-1 each.

YOUGHAL: O Walsh; F Hill, B Nicholson, O Foley; M McCarthy, C Geary, M Power; J Casey, M Breathnach; E Cronin, C Coleman, Ciaran O’Mahony; J Murray, A Frahill, O Hill.

Subs: R McMahon for M Breathnach (43), J Lenane for C Coleman (45), C Galvin for A Frahill (57).

ERIN’S OWN: N O’Mahony; L Casey, B Og Murphy, D Collins; S Cronin, I O’Mahony (capt), B Nolan; S Kelly, S Foley; Cathal O’Mahony, E Murphy, R Blackton; A Bowen, K Murphy, J Kavanagh.

Subs: C O’Callaghan for R Blackton (HT), J McMahon for A Bowen (45), J McGrath for J Kavanagh (59), A Power for S Foley (60).

Referee: J Smiddy (Castlemartyr).