Cork SHC Final

Glen Rovers 0-19 Erin’s Own 2-11

By Denis Hurley at Pairc Ui Rinn

A late surge, inspired by Cork star Patrick Horgan, helped Glen Rovers to retain the Cork county SHC against Erin’s Own at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.

Aiming to go back-to-back for the first time since 1960, the Glen – who had been without a title between 1989 and 2015 – had seen a 0-12 to 1-3 lead early in the second half become a 2-10 to 0-14 deficit with nine minutes left.

However, Horgan propelled them back into the lead though Erin’s Own sought a late equalising goal, Cathal O’Mahony’s effort went over the bar, leaving two points in it at the end.

Erin’s Own were in the first final since 2007 – achieving two in a row back then, the last club to do so– and they struggled early on as Dean Brosnan led the way for the Glen, who were 0-5 to 0-2 in front after 20 minutes despite a worrying wides tally.

When James O’Flynn goaled for Erin’s Own to put them in front, it appeared they might kick on but instead it was their last score of the first half as the Glen responded.

Conor Dorris levelled before Cathal O’Brien put them in front and three more from Horgan as well as one from Brosnan left it 0-11 to 1-3 at half-time.

Brosnan extended that advantage on the resumption, but Erin’s Own stayed in touch, though the Glen’s David Cunningham might have had a goal on 40. Horgan converted the 65 that resulted to make it 0-14 to 1-6, but then Erin’s Own hit a purple patch.

First, Maurice O’Carroll found the net after Colm Coakley’s good run and pass and then Eoghan Murphy added three points on the trot to put them two ahead.

Unfortunately for the Glounthaune side, the advantage couldn’t be stretched further and Horgan had five consecutive points, three from play and two frees, to put them a goal ahead in injury time. When Erin’s Own couldn’t find that goal, the Glen were safe and the green, gold and black brigade in the crowd of 11,147 took to the field in joy to fete their players.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: P Horgan 0-12 (6fs, 265s), D Brosnan 0-4, C Dorris 0-2, C O’Brien 0-1.

Scorers for Erin’s Own: E Murphy 0-8 (5fs), M O’Carroll 1-1, J O’Flynn 1-0, C O’Mahony 0-2.

Glen Rovers: C Hickey; C Healy, S McDonnell, G Moylan; G Callanan, B Moylan, D Dooling; D Cronin, D Noonan; D Brosnan, P Horgan, D Cunningham; C Dorris, C O’Brien, D Busteed.

Subs: M Dooley for O’Brien, G Kennefick for Busteed (both 45), S Horgan for Power (55), E O’Connell for Dorris (60).

Erin's Own: S Bowen; C O’Connor, C Dooley, J Sheehan; C O’Mahony, S Murphy, S Cronin; A Power, S Kelly; R O’Flynn, C Coakley, K Murphy; E Murphy, J O’Flynn, M O’Carroll.

Subs: M Collins for Kelly (half-time), C O’Callaghan for J O’Flynn (44).

**Referee: **J Larkin (Ballinora).