'We have to grab it': Cormac Dooley eyes return to top flight — Erin's Own focused ahead of Watergrasshill clash

Erin’s Own stalwart Cormac Dooley says his side have worked hard to park last year’s relegation disappointment and are fully focused on making the most of Saturday’s Co-Op SuperStores SAHC semi-final against Watergrasshill at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm).

Dooley, now in his 15th season with the club’s senior hurlers, has lived through the highs and lows. Few in the dressing room carry more perspective, and he admits last year’s drop from Premier Senior was difficult to take.

“Last year was a tough one for us,” he said. 

“We felt we left a few games behind. Against Midleton we had a lead coming up to half-time and let it go. Against Newtown, same thing. But at the end of the day, we had five games in total to stay up and we didn’t do enough. There were no excuses.” 

The winter break was needed. Players stepped away, reset, and returned in December with a clear objective.

“We regrouped in December. There’s been a lot of transition in our group too, a lot of young lads coming in. 

"Going down a grade didn’t really knock us back for long. It’s a new year, a new championship, and the Senior A grade is so competitive that you have to be on the ball straight away. The goal from the start was to try and get promoted.” 

Dooley’s longevity gives him a sharp sense of how rare these opportunities can be. Erin’s Own haven’t reached a county semi-final since 2016. That gap has sharpened minds.

“We were only talking about it at training the other day,” he says. 

“In 2016 we were in a county final, and you’d think maybe you’d be getting to semi-finals every year. But we haven’t seen one until now. The opportunity doesn’t come around often, so we need to take it now with both hands.” 

Their Division 2 league form was strong, even if the final defeat to Bride Rovers stung.

“We put a big emphasis on starting well and getting momentum. We were happy with the league campaign. Losing the final maybe wasn’t the worst thing in the long run. 

"We didn’t deserve to win it, and it made us regroup and look at areas to improve before the first championship game.” 

That championship group phase could hardly have gone better. Erin’s Own topped a tough section containing Na Piarsaigh, Killeagh, and Fermoy, winning all three games and securing a direct route to the last four.

“Any of the three groups are competitive,” Dooley states,

“We were happy with the first game against Na Piarsaigh, but in none of the matches did we give a full 60-minute performance. We had patches where we played really well and patches where we underperformed and let teams back in. 

"We were delighted to get into a semi-final, but we had plenty to work on over the last four weeks.” 

That four-week break has been a talking point, with some suggesting that going straight to a semi-final leaves teams undercooked. Dooley doesn’t buy it.

“At the start of the year people were saying it’s a disadvantage going straight to a semi-final. But if you asked any of the teams left in it if they’d take a direct route, they would. 

"Our training is extremely intense. We’ve had good internal games and challenge matches at high intensity. We might have one championship game less, but we’re really looking forward to getting back out.” 

Saturday’s opponents Watergrasshill arrive with momentum after their dramatic extra-time win over Ballinhassig.

“It’s nearly a local derby, only up the road,” he said. 

“We wouldn’t have met much over the years at underage level or adult level, but they’re a really good team. They’re well balanced, and they were unlucky not to come out of their group last year. 

"They have performed really well this year and showed their credentials against Ballinhassig. We know we’re in for a really tough game and we’ll have to be at 100 percent to win it. We’re not taking anything lightly.”