Clinical Erins Own have all the answers

Erins Own 4-16 Kilbrittain 1-4

Murphy displayed his vast array of talents, scoring 1-3 before being withdrawn 10 minutes into the second-half. His classy goal helped his side to an unassailable interval lead of 2-8 to 0-3.

However, this was by no means a one-man show. Erins Own were also superbly served by Patrick Fitzgerald, Cian O’Connor, Shane Murphy, Diarmuid O’Flynn, Ciaran O’Leary and the Murphy brothers, Kieran and Owen.

Erins Own’s slick play had Kilbrittain in all sorts of trouble and, after Murphy opened their account in the fifth minute with a point, they went on a scoring spree which yielded 2-8 without reply after 29 minutes.

That scoreline was not a true reflection Kilbrittain’s efforts and they finally got their opening score after Ross Cashman pointed a free from inside his own half.

He added another soon after but the 2-8 to 0-2 half-time gap was always going to be too wide for them.

On the resumption, Kilbrittain were powerless to prevent Erins Own grabbing two goals in a minute, the first of them a beauty when Owen Murphy swept home Fergus Murphy’s cross with a first time pull from 13 metres.

The West Cork side battled on gamely and were finally rewarded when Ross Cashman found a net from a 20 metre free in the 40th minute. However, it was only a token score and Erins Own, with Kieran Murphy showing up very well at midfield, were content to pick off their points and run out comfortable winners.

Scorers Erins Own: K. Murphy 0-5 (0-2 65s); F. Murphy, D. O’Flynn, O. Murphy (0-3 frees) 1-3 each; S. Kelly 1-1; C. O’Leary 0-1.

Kilbrittain: R. Cashman 1-3 (1-2 frees, 0-1 65); P. O’Mahony 0-1.

ERINS OWN: S. Bowen; P. Fenton, P. Fitzgerald, O. Harrington; J. Geary, S. Murphy, C. O’Connor; K. Murphy, C. Coakley; A. Lane, D. O’Flynn, F. Murphy; S. Kelly, E. Murphy, C. O’Leary.

Subs: P. Murphy for F. Murphy; M. Murphy for Geary; Killian Murphy for Harrington; G. Twomey for E. Murphy.

KILBRITTAIN: B. Hickey; F. Harrington, J. Murphy, L. Ryan; F. O’Connell, S. O’Brien, P. Hurley; D. Hayes, C. O’Leary; D. O’Mahony, R. Cashman, S. Hickey; D. Desmond, M. Hayes, P. O’Mahony.

Subs: C. Kingston for Hickey; S. Hayes for D. Hayes; C. O’Brien for Desmond.

Referee: M. Myers (Whitechurch).