Fermoy shake off gritty Erin’s Own to go through

Fermoy 1-7 Erin’s Own 0-8

They also had to endure the agony of 11 wides while playing with a tricky crosswind advantage in the opening 30 minutes.

So despite not setting the world on fire, their performance was still good enough to deny an Erin's Own side who only secured the East Cork title on Friday night.

However, this was at a high cost, as it robbed them of one of their more influential marksmen, Mark O'Connor and captain Michael Mulcahy.

The Imokilly representatives got off to the worst possible start falling 1-1 behind in six minutes.

Incessant pressure from Fermoy left top- scorer Philip Lonergan in for a very lucky goal that proved to be the difference between the sides over the 60 minutes, when a high lob from 30 metres out on the sideline fell through the hands of Erin's Own keeper, Pat Collins.

However, four points on the trot from Pat Fitzgerald, Shane Murphy, Tony O'Keeffe and Paul McNamara settled the Caherlag lads and by the 20th minute they had wiped out Fermoy's advantage.

At that stage the north Cork side looked set to rue their eight wides. Nevertheless, they held their heads for the closing 10 minutes of the half, and spurred on by solid defensive play by Trevor Gumbridge at centre back they added three important scores from Shane Killeen and Lonergan twice, 1-4 to 0-4.

Erin's Own moved their tall midfielder Kieran Murphy into full forward at the start of the second half the number nine having also picked up a slight leg injury that was to curtail his influence.

However, with his side failing to score for 15 minutes he switched back out again. John Corcoran and Trevor Higgins swapped points to leave the score, 1-6 to 0-6 minutes inside the final quarter.

The Glounthaune side failed to put their noses in front and were always chasing the game. However, when Killeen kicked Fermoy's last point four minutes from time, there was still plenty of fight left in the east Cork challenge.

Twice Pacelli Bratchford was forced to bring off two brilliant saves before Fitzgerald floated over to leave three between the sides. Mark Kenny also threw them a lifeline when with the goal at this mercy he blasted wide.

With the pressure mounting Kieran Murphy broke through for one last attempt only to see his shot blaze over.

It was a mightily relieved Fermoy team who were left to celebrate the semi-final meeting with Carbery Rangers.

Scorers for Fermoy: P Lonergan 1-2, S Killeen 0-3, J Dennigan and T Higgins 0-1 each.

Erins Own: P Fitzgerald and S Murphy 0-2 (frees) each, J Corcoran, K Murphy, T O'Keeffe and P McNamara 0-1 each.

FERMOY: P Bratchford; B Creed, G Howard, B O'Callaghan; J O'Callaghan, T Grumbridge, M Hennessy; T Higgins (capt), P Hickey; N Lardner, S Killeen, I O'Callaghan; P Lonergan, J Dennigan, M Kenny.

Subs: S McCarthy for J Dennigan (40 mins).

ERINS OWN: P Collins; J Lyons, K Murphy (sen), P Fenton; P Fitzgerald, C O'Connor, S Murphy; K Murphy (jun), D O'Mahony; F Murphy, P Kelly, P McNamara; T O'Keeffe, P Geasley, J Corcoran.

Subs: D Dennehy for F Murphy (44 mins).

Referee: R Murphy (Lyre).