Junior E Hurling Final- Double delight for Erin’s Own junior hurlers

Erin’s Own (Castlecomer), the standout team in Junior E all year, completed a league and championship double, with a comprehensive win Danesfort.

Playing with the aid of a significant breeze the Comer men led by six points at the break and were never in danger of being hauled back, even when playing into the wind in the second half.

The winners got off the mark with two early points from Michael Brennan (free) and James Mullins. Harry Lanigan opened Danesfort scoring with a third minute point.

Erin’s Own then hit 1-4 without reply thanks to two Michael Brennan points (one a free), Conor Clarke, a Peadar Boran goal after being set up by John Kenny, and a 50 metre score by the same player.

Jamie Phelan (free) got Danesfort’s second point, a score which was replied to by ’Comer captain Martin Walsh.

Dion Fitzpatrick got Danesfort’s third point, but this was replied to by two Brennan scores for Castlecomer, the second a free (1-9 to 0-3).

Danesfort battled on. Harry Lanigan hit two points, with Phelan adding another from a free to reduce the gap to six (0-6 to 1-9).

Brennan (EO) and Phelan (D) exchanged points. By the interval Brennan pointed two ’Comer frees and Shane Rice also grabbed a point to leave the half-time score reading 1-13 to 0-7 in ’Comer’s favour.

Erin’s Own were quick out of the blocks after the restart, with two Michael Brennan frees in the opening three minutes adding to their lead. Danesfort needed a swift response and got it, hitting back with an unanswered 1-2. Anthony Ireland Wall blasted a goal, and two frees from Lanigan and Ireland Wall, a player recently returned from travelling.

On 47 minutes John Kenny got a ’Comer goal that effectively ended any hope of a Danesfort comeback, as the winners were now 2-15 to 1-9 in front.

Anthony Ireland Wall replied with a 49th minute free for Danesfort, but this was to be their last score of the afternoon.

By the full-time whistle Erin’s Own, as in the opening half, finished with a flourish. They racked up a further 1-4 without reply - Michael Brennan hit four points (two from 65s, with one apiece from a free and play), while John Kenny pounced for a goal after a Brennan strike dropped down off the post.

Erin’s Own were very impressive throughout. James Kenny, Damien Fogarty, Conor Clarke, Martin Walsh, John Kenny, Peter Boran and man of the match Michael Brennan, a player surely destined to play at a much higher level in adult hurling, were top performers.

Best for Danesfort, who had a young side on duty, were Jim Phelan, Harry Lanigan and Anthony Ireland Wall.

Teams and scorers

Erin’s Own - Cathal Murphy; Darragh O’Rourke, James Kenny, Joey Ryan; Shane Rice (0-1), Damien Fogarty, Conor Normoyle; Conor Clarke (0-1), Martin Walsh (0-1, captain); Darragh Normoyle, James Mullins (0-1), John Kenny (2-0); Michael Brennan (0-12, 0-6 frees, 0-2 65s), Peadar Boran (1-2), Jimmy Comerford (0-1).

Subs: Eoin Nolan, Shane Holden, Ewan Connery, Aaron Fanning, Michael Whelan, Eoin Brennan.

Danesfort - Timmy Murphy; Joe Cowhig (captain), Jim Phelan, Michael Moylan; Evan Srouji, Gavin O’Keeffe, Kieran Walsh; Mark Srouji, Mark Fitzpatrick; Stephen O’Keeffe, Jamie Phelan (0-3, frees), John Davis; Harry Lanigan (0-4, 0-1 free), John Doheny, Dion Fitzpatrick (0-1).

Subs: Conor Byrne, Tom Sheehan, Leon Browne, Jack Doyle, Finn Drennan, Niall Farrell, Ronan Hackett, Tommy Ryan, Martin McMahon, Anthony Ireland Wall (1-2, 0-2 frees), Liam Phelan, Jack Tynan, Tony Woodcock, Rob O’Keeffe.

Referee - Brandon Power (Mooncoin).