Ageless 'Hero' Murphy shows his class to ensure Erin's Own live to fight another day

JUST A NUMBER: Kieran Murphy, Erin's Own wins the sliotar from Lisgoold players John Cronin, Cathal Cashman and Mark Hegarty. Pic: Dan Linehan

Cork IAHC final: Lisgoold 1-18 Erin’s Own 2-15  

Class is permanent. Age is but a number. Kieran Murphy reminded us of both in the fifth and final minute of an enthralling Cork intermediate decider.

Murphy is 41 years of age. This is his 25th season hurling at adult level for Erin’s Own. Less than 40 seconds away from final defeat, Kieran ‘Hero’ Murphy conjured the equaliser to give his side a second bite of the fruit and a second day out.

When the same player had been fouled for an Alan Bowen converted free on 51 minutes, Erin’s Own were in a healthy position for a third straight promotion. 2-13 to 1-14 they led.

Having managed only two points in the previous 25 minutes, Lisgoold found a desperately required second wind.

Liam O’Shea, the brilliant Mark Hegarty, James O’Driscoll, and Diarmuid Healy struck four on the hop in an eight-minute burst. 

Lisgoold now into a 2-13 1-18 lead. It was a lead they could not hold onto during the five minutes of second-half injury-time.

The first half finished 1-12 to 1-9 in favour of Lisgoold. A most open and entertaining half of hurling.

The first free awarded by referee Niall Fahy didn’t arrive until the 25th minute. Scorers were far more plentiful. James O’Driscoll had a Lisgoold goal inside 28 seconds. Erin’s Own issued their response 31 seconds later. They kept coming at a rate of knots.

The opening 18 minutes produced 15 scores. Each one of them from play. So noticeable too was the spread. 

Bar Lisgoold midfielder Mark Hegarty and his three outstanding points, no player on either side was putting a great deal many ticks beside their name. Instead, a whole host of players on either side put a solitary white flag tick beside their name.

Nine players accounted for Lisgoold’s opening half 13 scores. With corner-back Jason Hegarty and half-back Kieran Cashman among that nine, every line of the field was represented. As for Erin’s Own’s 1-9, eight players chipped in. 

Seventeen players on target in a thoroughly engrossing 32 minutes of fare.

With Erin's Own having hit the last three points of the opening period to half a 1-12 to 1-6 deficit, Cathal Lenihan then put the sliotar in the net 39 seconds after the restart to completely wipe out the deficit and bring Erin’s Own level. 

A subsequent Alan Bowen free had the Glounthaune men in front for the first time on 33 minutes.

Lisgoold, meanwhile, were wobbling. They had four wides in the first five minutes of the second period. They changed free-takers and then saw a straightforward placed-ball effort hit the post. They eventually steadied themselves.

They, and Erin’s Own, must now simmer and settle themselves for a second instalment. We can only hope it'll be as enjoyable as the original.

Scorers for Lisgoold: M Hegarty (0-5); J O’Driscoll (1-1); L O’Shea (0-3); D Healy, J Cashman (0-2 each); J Hegarty, K Cashman, L Walsh, I Walsh, C Hallahan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Erin’s Own: A Bowen (1-5, 0-3 frees); C Lenihan (1-2); D Twomey, Kieran Murphy (0-2 each); S Cronin, R Blackton, T Connell, O O’Regan (0-1 each).

LISGOOLD: C Cronin; J Hegarty, C Cashman, C Scannell; K Cashman, J Cronin, C Healy; M Hegarty, D Healy; J Cashman, L O’Shea, L Walsh; I Walsh, C Hallahan, J O’Driscoll.

Subs: T Savage for Walsh (44); C Hickey for Hallahan (50).

ERIN’S OWN: T Dillon; B Nolan, P Fitzgerald, A Moynihan; D Twomey, I O’Mahony, S Cronin; C Coakley, G O’Mahony; R Blackton, A Bowen, T Connell; C Lenihan, K Murphy, O O’Regan.

Subs: S Horgan for Connell, J Kavanagh for Coakley (both HT); A O’Sullivan for Blackton (48); J McMahon for O’Mahony (58); T Connell for Murphy (temporary, 58-60).

Referee: Niall Fahy, Brian Dillons.