Kilkenny SHC- Erin's Own defy the odds to shock Glenmore

Erin’s Own came from 10 points down to complete a stunning turnaround as they maintained their senior status with victory over Glenmore at the Kells Road on Saturday afternoon.

When it came to relegation this season, ‘Comer were the favourites from the minute the ball was thrown-in at the start of the league but not for the first time they produced the goods when it was needed the most.

Goals were the order of the day for the winners and with the benefit of hindsight, their two first half efforts when playing against the wind from Michael Brennan and Chris Korff proved crucial on the end result.

Added to that they made a flying start to the second period and once they hit the front, there was no looking back for the North Kilkenny outfit as they now move forward to a championship quarter-final.

For Glenmore, it’s a very different story and they will wonder how they fell apart so alarmingly particularly in a second period where they conceded three goals and only registered seven points themselves.

The Glenmore post-mortem may well be a lengthy one as they appeared to be in total control during different parts of the first half.

Early points from Alan Murphy x3 who again led the scoring for Glenmore, Charlie Phelan and Billy Reid gave them the initiative straight from the off.

Comer replied with their first score via Declan Buggy in the 9th minute but when Glenmore scored the next three on the bounce, Maurice Aylward’s side looked like they had one foot in the next round.

With still over half the opening 30 minutes of action still to be played, Erin’s Own needed an urgent response and they got it when Glenmore defender Darragh Vereker losy control of the sliotar and Michael Brennan pounced to gain possession before shooting past Mikey Kirwan.

Glenmore didn’t let that setback overly affect them however as Cathal Beirne who was brilliant throughout, Murphy and Ian Byrne all exetended the lead.

Erin’s Own replied with a pair of Jack Buggy frees but the gap looked an almost insurmountable one when Ian Byrne blasted a shot into the top corner of Sean Buggy’s net five minutes from the end of the half.

At that stage Glenmore led 1-13 to 1-3 but ‘Comer refused to give up and they had a lifeline when Jack Buggy took advantage of defesive indecision to get a second Erin’s Own goal before the break.

By the time of Brian Fox’s long whistle, Glemore led by seven points but within 30 seconds of the resumption, that deficit was down to four on the back of a second goal for Michael Brennan as he shot to the net directly from the throw-in.

Glenmore were rocked at this point and not only did ‘Comer tack on further points from Conor McMahon and Jack Buggy but a fourth goal soon arrived for the winners when Buggy latched onto a bouncing ball around the danger area before forcing a shot to the net.

That goal remarkably gave Erin’s Own a lead they would never surrender and while Alan Murphy and Ian Byrne kept the scoreboard ticking for Glenmore, they really struggled to mount a sustained period of play to get back into the game.

The Glenmore luck was summed up when Erin’s Own got a fifth goal in the 43rd minute as a long range Chris Korff went all the way to the net and that goal all but secured victory for an elated ‘Comer outfit who got further points before the end from Buggy, Conor Fogarty and Shane Coogan.

Teams and Scorers

Erin’s Own: Jack Buggy (2-6, 4fs and 1 ‘65); Michael Brennan (2-1); Chris Korff (1-1); Conor McMahon (0-3); Conor Fogarty, Declan Buggy, Shane Coogan (0-1 each)

Glenmore: Alan Murphy (0-9, 7fs and 1 ‘65); Ian Byrne (1-2); Cathal Beirne (0-5); Charlie Phelan (0-2); Billy Reid, Ger Aylward, Shane Murphy (0-1 each)

Erin’s Own: Sean Buggy; Cathal Holland, Conor Delaney, Eoghan Moore; John Dowd, James Brennan, Ciaran Wallace; Conor Fogarty, Shane Feehan; Declan Buggy, Chris Korff, Michael Brennan; Shane Coogan, Conor McMahon, Jack Buggy.

Subs: Dan Coogan for S.Coogan, 48 mins; Declan Dunne for Moore, 54 mins; Stephen Daly for McMahon, 57 mins.

Glenmore: Mikey Kirwan; Darragh Vereker, Eoin Aylward, Richard Hennessy; Michael Harney, Shane Murphy, Billy Reid; Darragh Hartley, Alan Murphy; Cathal Beirne, Ian Byrne, Tomas Mullally; Ger Aylward, Ciaran Kirwan, Charlie Phelan.

Subs: Ciaran Vereker for Mullally, 44 mins; Ethan Phelan for C.Kirwan, 54 mins; Colm Roche for C.Phelan, 54 mins.

Referee: Brian Fox (O’Loughlin Gaels)

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