Erin's Own defeat Carrigtwohill to return to Premier Senior ranks first time of asking
Action under a dropping ball as Riain O'Regan defends for Erin's Own against James Mulcahy and Liam O'Sullivan of Carrigtwohill at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: Larry Cummins
And there’s the swift return for Erin’s Own.
There will be no hanging around in the second tier of Cork hurling. Winners of the top tier on three occasions, Erin’s Own are right back where they belong.
The 100% record they enjoyed up to this point seldom looked like vanishing. And while Erin’s Own were not at their best on Sunday, they did not need to be. They were never under any threat from their east Cork rivals.
Erin’s Own enjoyed such comfort across the second period as their lead grew from the minimum of one at the start to the five it was by the finish.
The third quarter was slow and riddled with missed opportunities, especially from Carrig. They had struck only three wides in the first half, and had seven alone in the second by the 48th minute.
At that stage, the deficit was merely the goal, 1-12 to 0-12. Three points from Conor Lenihan and one from the excellent Matty O’Riordan had Erin’s Own three in front. Carrig’s hopes lingered only for a Jay Horgan point and another effort from James Mulcahy, who tried so hard to make things happen.
Carrig remained in the hunt – far longer than they should have – but when Lenihan slotted over another a couple of frees, the Erin’s Own lead grew to five. With Carrig still yet to register a goal chance, that five felt like eight.
A Justin Oke white flag dragged the margin back to four, but it was merely their third point of the half, with nine minutes to go.
They would not register their fourth and fifth points of the half until Barrett added a couple of late frees, by which stage O’Riordan and Peter O’Shea had already put Erin’s Own out of sight.
The Caherlag side would have been further clear, only for a superb Shane Devlin save to deny substitute Shane Irwin. By the end it made no difference.
Without Carrig fashioning a green flag of their own, there was only going to be one winner.
Erin’s Own, for all the comfort they had enjoyed in the opening 13 minutes as their opponents were held scoreless from play, they were dealt a blow when centre-forward Robbie O’Flynn staggered off with only 15 minutes played.
At that point, he had already scored once and Erin’s Own were well on top in the full-forward line. Finn O’Brien had supplied Maurice O’Carroll for the opening goal after three minutes, and they threatened another major as Carrig looked all out of shape at the back.
But, O’Flynn’s departure came right as the influence of Aaron Walsh Barry grew in the sweeper role for Carrigtwohill, and right when Matthew Barrett became the catalyst for Carrig’s resurgence. He nailed a couple of frees inside his own half, scored one from play and was involved in the build-up of two more white flags.
Oran O’Regan had to leave his sweeping post and pin down the Cork U20. He returned to the free role in the latter half, where again his influence was so great to the Erin’s Own cause. He wasn’t the only defender to stand out, Cian Dunphy was immense in the opening period, scoring once and supplying the long ball in that O’Brien won to set up O’Carroll for the green flag.
A green flag that fired Erin’s Own in front, and while Carrig would have parity at the 23-minute mark, Erin’s Own were never led after that goal.
Carrig had done well to fight back and trail by only one at the break, 1-8 to 0-10. That they completely failed to fire in the second period will be even more frustrating, given how close they were after the first half an hour where, again, they were second best.
They needed a spark, but that spark would not be found. Carrig did so well to get this far without Seán Walsh, but how they would have profited had he been there on Sunday. Alas, there would be no joy for Carrig.
An outstanding Erin’s Own defence made sure of that.
Conor Lenihan 0-8 (0-6 f), M O’Riordan 0-5, M O’Carroll 1-0, C Dunphy, O O’Regan (f), P O’Shea, R O’Flynn 0-1 each.
J Mulcahy 0-6 (0-4 f), M Barrett 0-5 (0-4 f), J Oke 0-2, J Horgan, C O’Riordan 0-1 each.
T Dillon; R O’Regan, S Broderick, C O’Connor; O O’Regan; C Dunphy, P O’Shea, C Dooley; C McDonnell, Cathal Lenihan; M O’Carroll, R O’Flynn, M O’Riordan; F O’Brien, Conor Lenihan.
A O’Sullivan for O’Flynn (15 inj), J O’Carroll for Cathal Lenihan (39), S Irwin for O’Sullivan (47), T Connell for McDonnell (60), E Murphy for O’Carroll (60+2).
S Devlin; B Twomey, P O’Sullivan; A Walsh Barry; S Brennan, S de Búrca, D Murnane; J Oke, J Horgan; D Nolan, M Barrett, C O’Riordan; P Walsh, L O’Sullivan, J Mulcahy.
C Barry for O’Sullivan (38), P Hogan for Nolan (53), S Rohan for O’Riordan (60+1).
S Scanlon (Newcestown)
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