Erin’s Own captain takes a swing at media over criticism

ERIN’S OWN and Cork hurling captain Kieran Murphy lashed out at sections of the media yesterday during his victory speech after his side’s Cork SHC final victory.

After defeating favourites Newtownshandrum, Murphy made the traditional victory speech when receiving the Séan Og Murphy Cup, but he then criticised media outlets for questioning the character of Erin’s Own players, saying the team had answered those questions on the field. This was understood to be a veiled reference to claims that Erin’s Own monopoly of the Cork scene had hampered inter-county efforts this season. Murphy then added that he hoped those media outlets would “write that in your paper tomorrow”.

Erin’s Own manager PJ Murphy said that the club had been “deeply offended” by some of the criticism of their players during the year, adding that he hoped their players would now be “respected outside Glounthaune parish”. Cian O’Connor, who starred yesterday in a roving role, also said he felt the team had been unfairly criticised before the final.

“To be honest, we were written off during the week — harshly enough, I thought, because the core of our team are together since under-12, under-13, and have won plenty of county titles since those days at every grade. It hurt that we were written off a bit, but it also helped, because it drove us on.”

As for the game itself, O’Connor wasn’t too surprised that it had turned out to be a low-key affair.

“The way we lined out, we knew it’d be a low-scoring affair, and we got what we deserved — a good win in the end. That’s what we played for and that’s what we wanted.

“In a county final what you need are 15 lads playing as well as they can, and in fairness, that’s what we got out there on the pitch.”

Erin’s Own had to replace several players from last year’s side, and O’Connor paid tribute to the new additions for their contribution to the club’s third county title victory.

Though O’Connor spent much of the game covering between midfield and his half-back line, he was full of praise for his defensive colleagues.

“They were brilliant. Shane Murphy (the official man of the match selection) was very good, but the entire full-back line were immense all through the game, and any member of the full-back line — or the half-back line — could have received man of the match. You couldn’t credit them enough for their work all through the game.

“It was a great day for Erin’s Own, and hopefully now we can drive on and win the Munster, and the All-Ireland — and be back here next year to win the three-in-a-row!”