Murphy to the rescue for Erins Own

THERE was no big steal at Rostellan on Saturday, but it was hardly fun in the sun for county champions Erins Own either as they had to battle might and main to force a replay with Sarsfields in an East Cork U-21 championship final devoid of good hurling.

Erins Own 1-11 Sarsfield 0-14

Erins Own had a lot to lose, not alone their Imokilly title but also the county title won against Inniscarra at the back end of last season. And it took all their experience to force a replay against a well focused Sars side that held a nine point lead at the break.

No question but the cold biting breeze that blew down the pitch ruined this final. Sars had the benefit of it in the opening half and led 0-12 to 0-3 at the break. Erins Own had it to their backs for the second period and, although well below par, a late 65 from man-of-the-match Kieran Murphy spared their blushes, leaving Sars feeling they had blown it.

Certainly Erins Own selector Mick O'Connor was happy with the result: "We were lucky. We didn't play well. Our half-backs and some of our half-forwards were out of the game. Sars really put it up to us but, fair play to the lads, they worked hard to save the game".

Sars coach Jack French was disappointed: "I felt we had the winning of the game, especially with that good half-time lead. We knew Erins Own would come at us, but I felt we did not work hard enough in the second-half. I'm disappointed we did not hold the lead."

The game was dominated by frees, 17 points coming from placed balls. But Sars looked sharper and hungrier in the opening half, with Paul Goggin and David Kenneally commanding in a no-nonsense half back line. Two frees from Kieran Murphy and Michael Kenneally, Michael Cussen and Gavin O'Loughlin from play had Sars 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after the opening quarter although both Ciarán O'Leary and Eoin Murphy should have goaled for Erins Own.

The champions struggled in the half forward line, with Mark O'Connor making no impression. Murphy kept pointing the frees and, with Conor Griffin, Kenneally and Cussen also adding points, Sars deserved their nine point interval lead. Kieran Murphy scored two huge frees for Erins Own.

It was up to the champions to show their mettle. Murphy and O'Connor joined forces at midfield, but it got worse when Murphy added another Sars free. Slowly but surely, however, Murphy ate away at Sars lead, his two frees and two 65s reducing the gap to six points, 0-13 to 0-7, entering the final quarter. However, Sars were still hurling well, with O'Loughlin helping out around midfield. Again Murphy struck for Sars with a glorious free as Erins Own looked for the goal that would give them new life. And they almost got it in the 48th minute when Alan Kennedy made a brilliant stop from Fergus Murphy who had a quiet game.

Nevertheless, it finally arrived in the 51st minute, Fergus setting up Kieran Murphy, now operating at full-forward, and it gave the champions new life. Ciarán O'Leary followed with their only point from play and it was left to the inspirational Murphy to save the day, his 65 sailing over the bar.

The replay takes place at the same venue next Saturday at 3pm.

Scorers: Erins Own: K. Murphy 1-8 (0-5 frees, 0-3 '65s), M. O'Connor 0-2 (0-1 free, 0-1 '65), C. O'Leary 0-1. Sarsfields: K. Murphy 0-8 (0-7 frees), M. Kenneally, M. Cussen 0-2 each, G. O'Loughlin, C. Griffin 0-1 each.

ERINS OWN: S. Bowen; P. Fenton, S .Murphy, A. Lane; E. O'Neill, C. O'Connor, B. Poland; K. Murphy, P. Fitzgerald; R. Carroll, M. O'Connor, D. O'Flynn; C. O'Leary, F. Murphy, E. Murphy. Sub; S.Kelly for E. Murphy.

SARSFIELDS: A. Kennedy; R. Fahy, K. Goggin, D. O'Regan; P. Goggin, D. Kenneally, C. Griffin; C. Mulvihill, M. Collins; M. Kenneally, M. Cussen, R. Duggan; F. French, K . Murphy, G. O'Loughlin.

Referee: T. Geary (Lisgoold).