‘Unfinished business’ the spur, says happy boss Motherway

UNFINISHED business!

That’s what drove Cloyne hurlers to get back to the Cork county final, to do what they failed at last year against Newtownshandrum and Na Piarsaigh in the 2004 decider: to perform.

To do exactly as their opponents Erin’s Own did 14 years ago in beating Na Piarsaigh, memorable among other things for Brian Corcoran’s artistry at centre forward and Timmy Kelleher’s heroics at centre back.

“We didn’t feel we did ourselves justice in the two finals. We looked at them objectively and probably didn’t deserve to win either,’’ said proud manager Sean Motherway after their two-point victory over the holders.

“Getting there is great, but you have to perform on the day and that’s what we’re hoping to do.’’

Newtown would say that they didn’t achieve that yesterday. It was how team coach Simon Morrissey explained their defeat: “I’d say we lost it in the first half. We didn’t put away our chances. We hit ball wide in front of the post, Cloyne did too at times. We had chances of goals and Donal Óg made a very good save which was crucial to the outcome. That’s the way it goes.

“Even though we didn’t play as good as we could, we felt at half-time that we had a good chance. But, the goal was a killer. Cloyne deserve one surely. The best of luck to them.’’

Sean Motherway agreed that the goal (scored by Paudie O’Sullivan 10 minutes from the end) was vital. “Goals win games and the two we got probably gave us the cushion we needed. The first goal settled us a bit, settled the nerves. We were after a lot of wides and after that we tacked on a few points.

“Before the second goal came they were after getting a run on us. It knocked the stuffing out of them and it gave us the momentum we needed to go on and finish the game.’’

Motherway felt that the Cloyne goalmouth lived a charmed life in the first half, saying: “I think the ball hit the post once or twice and Donal Óg made a few good stops. We haven’t conceded a goal against Newtown in three outings and today was going to be vital. If they got a goal at any stage in the second half they might have gone on to win.’’

Making it clear that they have no problem in playing the final next Sunday, he says that while the Cloyne players “are confident in their own ability”, they’re certainly not cocky.

“We’ve been there twice before and we didn’t win. Erin’s Own have had tremendous success at underage over the years. They are there on merit — the same as we are.”