East Cork GAA

Derek Kiely Evening Echo Match Report

ERIN’S OWN were comfortable winners of this final in the end, but the loss of discipline by both sides in the second half along with the lack lustre approach ahead of the game spoiled what could have been an interesting encounter.

It was hard to believe at times that this was an East Cork final, because this game in the first half really didn’t have any passion to it at all.

The first half was totally dominated by Erin’s Own, who could have been home and hosed by half time had they taken any of the many squandered opportunities that they had.

Erin’s Own scored first with a point from David Smiddy straight from a quick move following the throw in. The lead was immediately levelled by Kevin Lane of Killeagh/Ita’s with a free from 30 meters out.

Killeagh/Ita’s had the lead for the one and only time on the fifth minute when Emmet Budds made a good move down the middle and calmly slotted over.

Back came Erin’s Own with three scores from play from Andrew Power and Kevin Fenton and Smiddy, before Killeagh Ita’s got their last score of the first half from Lane on the 19^th minute.

Cian O’Callaghan hit a brace of points and Andrew Gannon added another before the break, but it could have easily been another four points more for Erin’s Own who kicked six wides from very easy scoring positions.

The second half started well enough for Killeagh/Ita’s with a point and a goal from a Kevin Lane penalty, but it never really threatened Erin’s Own who cruised to the final whistle scoring a goal from Andrew Gannon and four further second half points.

There were disappointing scenes in the second half as four players were sent off, two from each team. There was a free for all with five minutes to go as this game lost its shape completely and it was disappointing to see general lack of discipline in the match itself.

Killeagh/Ita’s Eddie Cashman and Erin’s Own’s Jack Sheehan both received second yellow cards and red cards and Killeagh/Ita’s Michael O’Brien and Erin’s Own’s Calvin O’Callaghan received straight red cards.

Not a good advertisement for football it has to be said.

Scorers for Erin’s Own: D Smiddy 0-4, A Gannon 1-1, A Power, C O’Callaghan 0-2 each, N Scanlon, K Fenton 0-1 each.

Killeagh/Ita’s: K Lane 1-2, P O’Brien, E Budds, I Cahill 0-1 each.

ERIN’S OWN: R O’Neill; K Moynihan, J Sheehan, N Fouhy; K Collins, N Scanlon, C O’Connor; M Collins, K Fenton; A Power (Cpt) C O’Callaghan, D Smiddy; A Gannon, C O’Mahony, Cian O’Callaghan.

KILLEAGH/ITA’S: C McMahon; M Fitzgerald, M O’Brien, A Keniry; C Green, A Frahill, E Cashman; P O’Brien, E Budds; D Cahill, K Lane, S O’Brien; T Crotty, C O’Mahony, J Rohan (Cpt).

Subs: R Griffin for C Green (31) D Long for D Cahill (56) P Keniry for R Griffin (58)

Ref: James Birmingham (Bride Rovers)