Cork SAHC: Na Piarsaigh second half meltdown paves way for Erin's Own win at Pairc Uí Rinn

Patrick Rourke from Na Piarsaigh makes a clean catch. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Cork SAHC: Erin’s Own 1-19 Na Piarsaigh 0-15 

A total second half meltdown by Na Piarsaigh paved the way for Erin’s Own to dispose of Na Piarsaigh in the Co- Op Superstores Senior A hurling championship at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday.

In a game that failed to ignite at any stage Na Piarsaigh’s dismal four- point tally in the second half summed up their evening at the Boreenmana Road venue with only two coming from play.

The Farranree side went into the game minus Ross O’Sullivan who is out of the country and this proved a huge blow for them as they lacked the necessary firepower to upset their opponents.

Erin’s Own will be happy with the result, but their overall display left a lot to be desired against a very average Na Piarsaigh side.

Th opening exchanges were scrappy with both sides struggling in many departments, but it was Erin’s Own who were a little better in the scoring charts with consecutive Peter O’Shea points giving them a two point cushion in the second minute.

When Cork Senior hurling panelist Robbie O’Flynn split the posts a minute later Na Piarsaigh looked in trouble before the excellent Daire Connery got them up and running in the fourth minute following a placed ball.

The Glounthaune outfit then suddenly went into meltdown as Na Piarsaigh registered six unanswered points with three coming from the stick of Connery.

Erins Own’s Maurice O’Carroll and na Piarsaigh Eddie Gunning contend for a high ball. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Suddenly Na Piarsaigh looked to be in ascendency but one dreadful mistake by goalkeeper Luke Donovan from a puck out saw the ball come into the path of Conor Sheehan who placed the ball to the empty net.

Consecutive Conor Lenihan points and suddenly Erin’s Own were back in control before O’Flynn was denied a goal in the 24th minute following a miraculous Donovan save.

In the closing minutes both sides continued to make basic errors, but another brace of Connery points ensured Na Piarsaigh went in at the break on level terms 1-8 to 0-11.

On the restart Na Piarsaigh needed a good start but instead they gave away a soft free just 40 seconds into the action that Lenihan duly converted.

In truth Na Piarsaigh lacked leadership and four consecutive Erin’s Own white flags gave them the control they never again relinquished.

Indeed Na Piarsaigh were lucky their keeper Luke Donovan was alert as he stopped two certain goals that would have put their opponents out of sight.

Upwards and onwards for Erin’s Own whose next clash against Killeagh will give them a better idea of their progress as Na Piarsaigh will be hoping to get more artillery back for their crucial game against Fermoy.

Scorers for Erin’s Own: C Lenihan 1-5 (0-3f), R O’Flynn 0-5, M O’Riordan 0-3, P O’Shea 0-2, C Dunphy -0-2, O O’Regan (f), S Irwin (0-1 each).

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: D Connery 0-8 (0-5f), P Rourke 0-2, K Moynihan 0-2, O Galvin, P Guest, L Sheehan (0-1 each).

ERIN'S OWN: T Dillon; C O’Connor, S Broderick, R O’ Regan; C Dunphy, O O’Regan, C Dooley; C McDonnell, T Connell; P O’Shea, R O’Flynn, M O’Riordan; F O’Brien, M O’Carroll, C Linehan.

Subs: S Irwin for C McDonnell (45), A O’Sullivan for R O’Flynn (54).

NA PIARSAIGH: L Donovan; P Murphy, E Sheehan, A Higgins; G Healy, C Buckley, E Gunning; C Meaney, C Hogan; L Sheehan, P Guest, P Rourke; D Connelly, C Hannifin, O Galvin.

Subs: K Moynihan for P Rourke (inj h-t), D Scanlon for C Hogan (44), K Galvin for P Murphy (58), K Sheehan for A Higgins (58).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).