James Murray stars as Youghal cruise past Erin's Own into Cork IAHC knockout stages

Youghal beat Erin's Own by 10 points to secure a spot in the knockout rounds

James Murray scored 0-12 for Youghal in their victory over Erin's Own. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Cork IAHC: Youghal 1-24 Erin’s Own 1-14.

JOB done as far as Youghal are concerned, a comprehensive ten-point win over their Imokilly rivals securing second place in Cork's IAHC Group 3 and safe passage through to the knockouts.

Was the result ever in doubt in Carrigtwohill? Not really. Youghal kept stress to an absolute minimum over the hour and seldom allowed it to break out into the winner-takes-all encounter that it actually was.

A second half surge from Erin’s Own - that included a well-taken goal from substitute Cian O’Callaghan - tested Youghal's mettle but only momentarily with Youghal smashing home a goal of their own late on from Oisín Hill to compound Erin’s Own misery.

The win for Youghal sees them take second place behind Sarsfields in the group, and ends Erin’s Own interest in their fourth tier championship for 2027.

James Murray’s hurl was hot, the half-forward contributing 0-12 points on the night. Alan Geary’s charges went in 11 points to the good at the short whistle and never looked back, adding a further 1-8 in the second period.

The opening 23 mins was one-way traffic. Youghal were first to every puck out, scoring from every opportunity and showing no signs of slowing down.

It was blitzkrieg hurling that Erin’s Own were simply not prepared for.

Donnacha Collins had the unenviable job of marking talisman James Murray who turned his man inside out in the early stages, scoring eight times during that period - four of those confidently placed over from dead balls.

That period of dominance was punctuated only twice by Erin’s Own, midfielders Sam Foley and Seanie Kelly sliding over a couple to keep their side in with a fighting chance.

John Kavanagh found himself one-on-one with Youghal keeper Oisin Walsh in the 20th minute but agonisingly hit the side netting.

Thankfully for Erin’s Own manager Michael Mulcahy, his men started to play towards the end of the first period. Half-forward Eoghan Murphy fired over two points off his favoured right in the 24th and 28th minute before defender Louis Casey put one over before the short whistle.

It was still a mountain to climb but it gave the Erin’s Own men a glimmer of hope, going in 11 down at the break (0-16 to 0-5 to Youghal).

A bright Erin’s Own restart narrowed the gap to nine; Murphy putting two over from frees. However, Youghal would take flight again with a five-point flurry - Murray twice, O’Mahony, Frahill and Casey on cue aswell (0-22 to 0-8 to Youghal).

Erin’s Own had their best spell of the game midway through the second half, taking hold for a 10-minute period that saw them score 1-4.

The goal came courtesy of sub Cian O’Callaghan who muscled his way past two Youghal defenders and flicked it low past Oisín Walsh in the net (0-22 to 1-10 to Youghal).

Eight behind with 13 minutes to go, we’ve seen it done before, but Youghal were quick to bat down any form of late comeback, shoring up at the back and holding firm.

A goal from Oisín Hill on the hour was the cherry on top, the forward catching well and firing with power off his right to wrap it up in style.

Scorers for Youghal: J Murray 0-12 (7f), O Hill 1-2, J Casey 0-3, A Frahill 0-2, E Cronin, C Coleman, F Hill, C O’Mahony, J Lenane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Erin’s Own: E Murphy 0-6 (3f), C O’Mahony 0-4, C O’Callaghan 1-0, S Foley, S Kelly, D Collins, L Casey 0-1 each.

YOUGHAL: O Walsh; F Hill, B Nicholson, O Foley; M McCarthy, C Geary, M Power; J Casey, M Breathnach; E Cronin, C Coleman, Ciaran O’Mahony; J Murray, A Frahill, O Hill.

Subs: R McMahon for M Breathnach (43), J Lenane for C Coleman (45), C Galvin for A Frahill (57).

ERIN’S OWN: N O’Mahony; L Casey, B Og Murphy, D Collins; S Cronin, I O’Mahony (capt), B Nolan; S Kelly, S Foley; Cathal O’Mahony, E Murphy, R Blackton; A Bowen, K Murphy, J Kavanagh.

Subs: C O’Callaghan for R Blackton (HT), J McMahon for A Bowen (45), J McGrath for J Kavanagh (59), A Power for S Foley (60).

Yellow cards: I O’Mahony, K Murphy.

Referee: J Smiddy (Castlemartyr).