Youthful Erin's Own back in hunt after stunning Charleville

Erins Own's Robbie O'Flynn and Charleville's Darren Cotter tussle for the sliotar during the Co-Op Superstores Premier SHC at Mallow.. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Cork Premier SHC: Erin’s Own 1-22 Charleville 1-17 

Erin’s Own pulled off a sensational win in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC in Mallow on Sunday. They drew level for the first time early in the second half, and while Charleville fired back, they outscored them 11 points to two in the closing quarter.

It means one win for Martin Buckley’s side from two outings, but crucially it puts them in the hunt for a knockout place with Midleton next to play.

Charleville have no points and will look to their final group game against Kanturk for hope.

Erin’s Own rung the changes for this game giving youth its fling, and while it took them a while to settle and they were wayward in their second half shooting, they rewarded management with a famous victory.

They had nine different scorers. Shane Irwin with six from play - five in the second half - was the tormentor-in-chief on that home stretch.

With the strong wind behind them, there was a strong start from Charleville that yielded a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after nine minutes.

Darragh Fitzgibbon and Conor Buckley points were followed by the first goal of the game through Andrew Cagney in an attack that was started by Buckley and Tim Hawe.

Seoirse Bulfin’s team extended their lead with Fitzgibbon and Buckley splitting the posts.

Erin’s Own were in trouble having not scored since Tom Foley’s point in the third minute, but they got a lifeline from a Robbie O’Flynn white flag.

While Robert Carroll registered the next point for Charleville, Erin’s Own got back on track hitting the next five points to one - Matt O’Riordan, Barry Óg Murphy, Irwin, Conor Lenihan and O’Flynn rallying the troops, Meanwhile, Shay Bowen made a vital save from Jack Doyle, as the scoreboard read 1-7 to 0-7 after 23 minutes.

Charleville, minus their injured captain Jack Buckley, responded - a brace from Doyle was the pick.

At the other end, Cian Collins had to be at his best to deny Conor Lenihan a goal.

With the half petering out, Matt O’Riordan and Oran O’Connell swapped points to leave Charleville 1-11 to 0-9 up at the interval.

Erin’s Own came roaring back at the start of the second half and in an eight minute spell they drew level, the goal was a piece of genius from O’Flynn who picked out the in-running James O’Carroll with a pinpoint crossfield pass and the skipper did the rest.

Charleville, inspired by Fitzgibbon, added the next four points to pull away once more, 1-15 to 1-11 midway through the half.

Incredibly they wouldn’t score again until two minutes from time.

Meanwhile, Erin’s Own cut loose striking eight unanswered points - Irwin coming into his own with four of these from open play. The run also included a monster free from Bowen as the Glounthaune club opened up a 1-19 to 1-15 advantage.

Twice Charleville rallied but Erin’s Own finished on a high with sub Eoghan Murphy hitting the final two points from frees to secure the win.

Charleville’s Jack Doyle received a straight red in stoppage time for an off the ball offence.

Scorers for Erin’s Own: S Irwin (0-6), J O’Carroll (1-1), R O’Flynn and T Foley (0-3 each), B Óg Murphy (frees), M O’Riordan (frees), E Murphy (frees) and C Lenihan (0-2 each), S Bowen (0-1 free).

Scorers for Charleville: A Cagney (1-4), D Fitzgibbon (0-4 (0-2 frees, 0-1 65), J Doyle (0-3), C Buckley (0-2), D O’Flynn, R Carroll, O O’Connell and D Forde (0-1 each).

ERIN’S OWN: S Bowen; C O’Connor, J Sheehan, R O’Regan; C Dunphy, C Dooley, B Óg Murphy; P O’Shea, C McDonnell; M O’Riordan, T Foley, J O’Carroll (Capt); R O’Flynn, C Lenihan, S Irwin.

Subs: M O’Carroll for P O’Shea (38), S Broderick for R O’Regan (46), E Murphy for M O’Riordan (48), C O’Callaghan for C Lenihan (49 inj).

CHARLEVILLE: C Collins; D Butler, A Dennehy, F Cagney; J Madigan, D O’Flynn, R Carroll; O O’Connell, D Fitzgibbon; C Buckley, D Forde, D Casey; A Cagney, J Doyle, T Hawe.

Subs: G Kelleher for D Forde, DJ Collins for C Buckley (both 55).

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).