Johnny Crowley: 'We’ll see exactly what we want to do where we want to go'

WORK TO DO: Two wins from two in Group 1 of the Co-op Superstores Cork PSHC, a points difference that’s 32 in credit, all but ensuring their qualification for the knockout stages, and a stacked bench that they have not been forced to use, yet. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Co-op Superstores Cork PSHC, Group 1: Sarsfields 4-30 Erin’s Own 3-15

They have plenty of reasons to be cheerful in Riverstown this morning. Two wins from two in Group 1 of the Co-op Superstores Cork PSHC, a points difference that’s 32 in credit, all but ensuring their qualification for the knockout stages, and a stacked bench that they have not been forced to use, yet.

They had far too much pace, power and class for their neighbours in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night in a game that was over long before Cathal McAllister called time on proceedings. Jack O’Connor was at his brilliant best in hitting 1-8, Killian Murphy was irrepressible in the middle of the field alongside Daniel Hogan, while corner-backs Cathal McCarthy and Conor O’Sullivan hit 0-4 between them.

However, their manager, Johnny Crowley, wasn’t for getting carried away afterwards.

“I suppose after winning the league we just set our stall out, and I know it might be a cliché, but we genuinely said we’d just go day to day. We looked at Fr O’Neill’s, that was the only target we had, really, and we went at Fr O’Neill’s and luckily, we got over that. After that was done, we focused on Erin’s Own, and again, that was the only target we had.

“Now, it’s kind of different because we’re kind of qualified with our scoring average. We’re in the quarter-final of a county now, and at the end of the day that’s what you hope to achieve at the start of the championship. Our last game is the Glen, so we’ll sit down Monday night, like we always do, and we’ll review it, and we’ll see exactly what we want to do where we want to go. But we’re thrilled to be in the quarter-final of the county.” 

Though the sides were level three times inside the opening 10 minutes, with Conor Lenihan looking sharp for Erin’s Own, there were signs that Sars were ready to cut loose. Thrice Shane O’Regan was denied a goal due to excellent goalkeeping from Tom Dillon and incredible defending from Riain O’Regan. However, once Killian Murphy finished a lung busting run with a rocket to the top corner after fifteen minutes, Sars just pulled clear.

O’Connor was everywhere, James Sweeney banged in two goals while McCarthys Colm and Cathal buzzed with intent. All the Caherlag-based side had in response were points from Lenihan and Cian Dunphy, leaving them trailing by 3-12 to 0-5 at the break.

That left Erin’s Own in the dreaded ‘win the second half at least territory’, and to their credit, they made a good fist of it. Lenihan and Peter O’Shea had early scores after the break, but Jack O’Connor’s goal four minutes into the second half plunged them into deeper trouble.

Robbie O’Flynn found a bit of form by hitting 1-4, the goal coming from a free, Cian O’Callaghan cracked home two lovely goals but despite of all of their best efforts, they could not put a dent in the deficit. Hogan filled his boots with four second half points, his midfield partner, Murphy, added two points to his splendid goal while Bryan Murphy and Luke Elliott were rock solid at the back.

It all leaves the neighbours with very different priorities when the final round of games comes around in three weeks. Sars will be looking to beat Glen Rovers to take the direct route to the final four as top seeds. Erin’s Own will salvage what they can from the wreckage to use against Fr O’Neill’s in what will be a must win game.

Scorers for Sarsfields: J O’Connor (1-8), J Sweeney (2-0), Colm McCarthy (0-5,0-3 free), K Murphy (1-2), D Hogan (0-5), C Darcy, Cathal McCarthy, C O’Sullivan, B Murphy (0-2 each), S O’Regan, B Graham (0-1 each).

Scorers for Erin’s Own: R O’Flynn (1-4,1-2 free), C O’Callaghan (2-0), C Lenihan (0-5), E Murphy, P O’Shea, O O’Regan, T Dillon (free), R Twomey, C Dunphy (0-1 each).

SARSFIELDS: B Graham; C O’Sullivan (c), Cathal McCarthy, C Leahy; B Murphy, C Roche, L Elliott; D Hogan, K Murphy; C Darcy, Colm McCarthy, J O’Connor; B Nodwell, J Sweeney, S O’Regan.

Subs: None

ERIN’S OWN: T Dillon; R O’Regan (JC), C Dooley, T O’Connell; C O’Connor, C Dunphy, C McDonnell; Ó O’Regan, P O’Shea; M O’Carroll, R O’Flynn (JC), M O’Riordan; C Lenihan, E Murphy, F O’Brien.

Subs: S Irwin for O’Carroll, S Broderick for McDonnell (both h/t), B Óg Murphy for E Murphy (37), C O’Callaghan for O’Brien (39), R Twomey for O’Riordan (42) 

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Aghada).