Impressive Erin’s Own defy the odds

IN a weekend of surprises in the opening round of the Cork SHC, reigning Cork and Munster champions Newtown were beaten by a fired-up Erin’s Own side.

Erin’s Own had their first goal after only three minutes, impressive young centre-forward Maurice Carroll pouncing on the rebound of a saved 20m free.

That was negated by a John O’Connor goal for Newtown minutes later, and from there to the break it was almost tit-for-tat, Newtown defying the wind to stay close to the challengers. They each had a second goal – wing-forward Ryan Clifford for Newtown and an Eoghan Murphy penalty for Erin’s Own in the 25th minute.

That put the east Cork side four points up, a lead they held at the break (2-11 to 2-7), but on the night, given the strength of the wind it didn’t look like it was going to be sufficient.

The second half began well for Newtown, a long wind- assisted point within 15 seconds by wing-back Phillip Noonan, but 1-2 between the 36th and 39th minutes put Erin’s Own firmly back in control and they never lost their grip on the game.

Controversy arose due to the daftest new rule introduced by Croke Park this year. In the 48th minute Ben O’Connor was in possession on the 20m line when play was blown up for an injury to an Erin’s Own player 50 metres away, nowhere near the action.

In line with the new rule, play resumed with a free for Newtown where Ben had been in possession, but he was informed that he could not score direct – hurling’s version of the indirect free.

The Cork star drilled a low shot, which seemed to take a deflection from Ryan Clifford (confirmed by Ben afterwards), into the net – no goal, ruled referee O’Leary, throw-in ball from the spot of the free.

Erin’s Own had their own complaints about a goal ruled out for square ball, which levels things out, but the Glounthaune side are on the right track for 2010.

Meanwhile, Ballinhassig finally put their opening round Evening Echo Cork SHC blues behind them at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday, a handsome 23-point tally proving too much for a spirited Blarney side.

And it was former defender Michael Aherne, now leading the attack, who did most of the damage.

His ten-point contribution, eight from placed balls, went a long way to steering his side into the fourth round, leaving Blarney with the daunting task of facing Newtownshandrum, who had their feathers ruffled by Erins Own, to stay in the championship.

Aherne’s contribution may have been surpassed by Blarney’s Mark Cremin – he got 1-8 all from frees – but in the end Ballinhassig were always able to find the target that bit easier and were never in danger of losing this lively contest

Plenty effort and good open hurling in the opening half as Blarney raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after seven minutes courtesy of points from Cremin, Ross McNamara and Colin Murphy (free). But once Ballinhassig settled they looked in good shape.

Donnacha O’Donovan and Declan O’Sullivan began to control midfield and with Stephen McCarthy hurling well in defence they soon got their noses in front thanks to the accuracy of Aherne from frees. He slotted over four in a row as they led 0-5 to 0-3 after the opening quarter and they never looked back.