Murphy stars as ’Comer land big win in Junior D Hurling Final

Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) completed a league and championship Junior D double with a merited six-point win over Mooncoin at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Anchored by former county underage star Michael Murphy, the ’Comer men were three points clear at the interval. They always controlled the second half, and a resilient display gave them ultimate success. Castlecomer outscored the Southern side 23 scores to 13 with Murphy contributing 0- 16, which included four points from play.

In the opening half 0-10 of the 0-11 scored by Erin’s Own came from the undoubted star-man Murphy from seven frees, a 65 and 0-2 from play. Jake Connery with a 30th minute point was the only other ’Comer scorer.

For Mooncoin, a Lee Treacy goal midway through the half that made the score 1- 4 to 0-5 put them in the lead and Darragh Murphy followed with a point two minutes later.

They would not lead again however as, by the interval, Erin’s Own were three points clear (0-11 to 1-5).

While Mooncoin got the scoring going again in the third minute of the new half through Aidan Carroll, a free in reply from Micheal Murphy along with a Robert Coogan point from play left Castlecomer 0-13 to 1-6 ahead.

By the 51st minute, when a Billy Delahunty point reduced the margin to five points there was still a glimmer of hope for Mooncoin. But four successive Castlecomer points killed any comeback hopes. These came from a Michael Murphy free, two scores from Robert Coogan, and a 27th minute point from Liam Wallace. Erin’s Own now led 0-22 to 1-10.

Darragh Murphy pointed a free in the 30th minute which Ray Wall added to with a Mooncoin goal from a penalty, to bring respectability to the scoreline.

Michael Murphy had started the scoring, and it was fitting that he would end it also. with a 64th minute pointed free, leaving Erin’s Own victors on a score of 0- 23 to 2-11.

Teams and Scorers

Erin’s Own - Michael Murphy (0-16, 0-11 frees, 0-1 65); Robert Coogan (0-3); Liam Wallace (0-2); Jake Connery, Adam Brennan (0-1 each).

Mooncoin - Aidan Carroll (0-4, 0-1 free); Lee Treacy, Ray Wall (1-0 each); Stephen Brennan (0-2); Darragh Murphy (0-2, 1 free); Billy Delahunty, Kieran Fagan, Mikey Ryan (0-1 each).

Erin’s Own - Cathal Murphy; Evan Harding, Liam Wallace, Mark Kennedy; Alec Kerr, Damien Fogarty (captain), Martin Walsh; Shane Rice, James Mullins; Adam Brennan, Michael Murphy, Robert Coogan; Shane Coogan, Jake Connery, Jimmy Comerford.

Subs: James Coogan, Bobby Brennan, Jack Comerford, Conor Clarke, Jack Coogan.

Mooncoin - Paddy Kinsella; Zac Power, Canice Kinsella, Jackie Ryan; Aidan Carroll, Darragh Murphy (captain), Adam Walsh; Aaron McLaughlin, Kieran Fagan; Sean Walsh, Mikey Ryan, Billy Delahunty; Stephen Brennan, Billy Delahunty, Lee Tracey.

Subs: JP Purcell, Ray Wall, Ciaran Walsh, Eoin McGrath, Sean Wall.

Referee - Conor Everard (Graigue-Ballycallan).