O’Connor’s forward thinking sees Erin’s Own shade Ballinhassig in replay

A GOAL from converted defender Cian O’Connor was the critical score as Erin’s Own fought their way through to the third round of the Evening Echo Cork SHC with this narrow 1-12 to 0-13 replay victory over Ballinhassig at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night.

In a game that never really sprang to life, it was Erin’s Own’s greater craft that saw them make the correct decisions at the right time on the field. In the drawn game Fintan O’ Leary had caused consternation in the Erin’s Own defence with two late goals but he could not rework the oracle on this occasion.

Playing against the freshening breeze in the opening half Ballinhassig looked marginally the livelier side and led 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the short whistle.