Erin’s Own lift sevens crown at Kilmacud

ERIN’S OWN collected the AIB Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Sevens crown at Glenalbyn on Saturday, defeating a powerful Portumna (Galway) outfit in a tightly-contested final.

The annual event, which saw 40 senior clubs flock to south Dublin, was another big success for Crokes, who were running it for the 34th year.

Erin’s Own won the title for the first time as they beat Portumna 5-8 to 3-12 in the decider.

Fergus and Eoin Murphy guided them to victory, hitting 4-8 between them, with goalkeeper Shay Bowen pulling off a series of superb saves.

Portumna, who had Damien and Kevin Hayes in fine form, had also lost last year’s final to Tipperary outfit Mullinahone.

Erin’s Own had beaten Turloughmore (Galway) and the Garda College in the knockout stages, while Portumna ended the interest of Tipperary sides Thurles Sarsfields and Portroe.

In their 6-8 to 5-4 semi-final defeat to the Galway men, Sarsfields, who had won their three group games, had Tipperary star Eddie Enright sent off.

Meanwhile, Mayo’s Ballyhaunis won the shield competition, beating Clonkill of Westmeath 5-9 to 3-14 after extra-time.