Erins Own take title in Palmerstown despite super tally from young Dicksboro sharpshooter

Countystyle Foods County Junior Hurling D League Final at Palmerstown

Erins Own 3-20; Dicksboro 0-15

Erins Own, Castlecomer - Junior E league winners in 2023 - moved another step up the junior grade pyramid with a comfortable victory over Dicksboro at Palmerstown on Friday evening last.

Despite a man of the match showing by Dicksboro youngster Thomas Treacy - who recorded all bar one point of his side's total - there was no joy for the home side on this occasion.

Erins Own made the quicker start with an early 1-1, from a Michael Murphy free, and a Shane Holden goal. Ciaran Power opened the Boro scoring, followed by a Thomas Treacy score.

A Michael Murphy free and an Adam Brennan score left Comer four clear, 1-3 to 0-2, with eight minutes gone.

From here to the first half water break, back by popular demand on this humid evening, the eventual winners ourscored Dicksboro 0-8 to 0-2. Unlike ‘Boro, Erins Own had a good spread on their scorers with Martin Boran, Michael Murphy, James Coogan, Shane Holden, along with Adam and Ciaran Brennan all contributing. Erins own now led 1-11 to 0-4.

By the interval James Coogan, Martin Walsh and two Michael Murphy points, the first a free, all recorded Castlecomer points, with Treacy getting four back for Dicksboro in the same period

Half time Erins Own 1-15; Dicksboro 0-8.

After the break Boro looked like a comeback might be possible, thanks to three early frees from Treacy. However, a goal from Shane Holden and an Adam Brennan pointed free, restored the Erins Own dominance. By the second half water break, Comer were ten points clear, 2-17 to 0-13.

James Coogan got a goal late on for Erins Own, as they headed towards victory, on a night when the Dicksboro forward line failed to function.

This was a well-deserved victory for Erins Own, who must now be favourites for the championship in this grade. Players such as James Mullins, Martin Walsh Shane Holden, James Coogan, and former county minor star Michael Murphy were excellent on this evening.

Scorers

Erins Own:

Shane Holden (2-1), James Coogan (1-4), Michael Murphy (0-6, 3 frees), Adam Brennan (0-5, 1 free), Martin Boran (0-1), Ciaran Brennan (0-1), Martin Walsh (0-1), Jimmy Comerford (0-1).

Dicksboro:

Thomas Treacy (0-14, 10 frees), Ciaran Power (0-1).

Teams

Erins Own

Cathal Murphy, Evan Harding, Liam Wallace, Mark Kennedy, Alec Kerr James Mullins, Martin Walsh, Shane Rice, Martin Boran (C), Jimmy Comerford Michael Murphy Adam Brennan, Shane Holden, Ciarán Brennan, James Coogan.

Substitutes: -

Mick Farrell for Liam Wallace, Darragh Normoyle for Ciaran Brennan, Jack Coogan for Jimmy Comerford, Sean McDermott for Alec Kerr, Damien Fogarty, Conor Normoyle, Michael Whelan, Bobby Brennan, Jake Coogan.

Manager: Keith Normoyle.

Selectors: Tommy Nolan, Dermot Wallace. Physio: Ciara Normoyle

Dicksboro

Enda O'Donoghue, Eoin McCormack, Philip Hogan, Evan Rowe, Fionn McGarry, Shane O'Brien Sean Cullen (C), Cormac Kennedy, Thomas Treacy, James Murphy, Liam Stynes, Killian Dollard, David Mulroonet (VC), Graham Egan, Ciarán Power

Substitutes:

Luke Bourke, Eamon O’Reilly., TJ Stynes, Colm Sweeney, Collins Connolly, David Doheny, Steve Rochford, Liam Lenihan, Enda Kavanagh, Willie Cuddihy, Jesse Watter

Management Team: Donnacha Lonergan, Brian Fitzpatrick, Conor O' Grady, Pat Carroll, Phil Comerford.

Referee: Gay Rafter.