Two in a row for Erin’s Own

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM were humbled at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday where they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of defending champions Erin’s Own in a poor Cork SHC final.

It’s difficult to say why this final was so disappointing. Both clubs had won the title five times between them since 1999, there were eight county senior players on view until Jerry O’Connor departed the scene in the 11th minute, yet the game never rose above mediocrity.

One can point to the tactics employed by both sets of selectors as a reason for the dreadful fare served up. Both opted to play with seven defenders, and seven backs were always going to be too good for five forwards.