Erin's Own return to the senior ranks next year after defeating Danesfort by a goal in a hard-fought but most enjoyable intermediate final last Sunday. Conditions were far from ideal in Nowlan Park, strong winds prevailed throughout this encounter. but it didn't deter either side from producing some good honest action. The more rounded and experienced 'Comer side had stars all over the pitch, but none shone more brightly than my ex-intercounty colleague Davy Buggy. Davy has given many fine displays in the 'Comer jersey down through the years but this will definitely rank as one of the best and one of the most important. He will probably be first to acknowledge that he is not blessed with blinding speed, but like any good hurler, he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. The popular Buggy is widely acknowledged in hurling terms as having one of the best pairs of hands in Kilkenny. His touch, allied with a clever hurling brain, saw him rattle off 1-4 last Sunday a scoring return that did much to send 'Comer back to the senior ranks.
Danesfort played with a strong breeze in the first half and were first to hit the target via a Richie Hogan free. However, moments later 'Comer breached the Danesfort cover, Jimmy Byrne weaved a passage through the heart of the Danesfort defence before off-loading to master Buggy. Davy had only one thing in mind, from an acute angle he slipped the ball past Danesfort custodian Shem Hurley, it was a huge score to post so early against the strong breeze and it gave the 'Comer men a great platform to work from. Danesfort tacked on two more minor scores before Buggy performed another bit of magic. A high ball was sent into the danger area, it hung in the breeze, it looked destined for fullback Paul Murphy's hand, Davy waited and waited and just as it reached Murphy's grasp he took it down and in a flash had his side back in front with a well-taken point. Patrons in the stand just smiled in admiration, magic moments like this must have given his team the belief that it might be their day. It wasn't a one-man show by any means, there were stars on both sides. The entire 'Comer defensive unit can take great satisfaction from the manner in which they went about their job, while further afield Martin Boran had the game of his life chipping in with 1-3.
Danesfort too had stars in Paddy Hogan and Podge Forristal but they laboured in attack where only Richie Hogan and Robbie Walsh to a lesser extent looked dangerous. The 'Fort men got the rub of the green just before halftime. Podge Forristal directed a clever pass to Richie Hogan who blasted goalwards from the 21. His shot was initially well saved by Tom Brophy but Aaron Dunne somehow scrambled the ball over the line. This score pushed them in front just before the break but one felt a 2 point lead was a slender one considering the strength of the breeze that would be aiding the 'Comer men in the second half. Danesfort, to their credit,weren't found wanting in terms of effort in the second half. The aforementioned Paddy Hogan and Podge Forristal continued to drive them on but they found scores hard to come by. Richie Hogan was positioned everywhere in a effort to get him into the game, maybe in hindsight he should have been left on the edge of the square, but then again hindsight has always been a great man.
'Comer made the winning moves by bringing on Michael Murphy to curb Paddy Hogan’s dominance and also moving Davy out to wing forward. Murphy faired best of the men who tried their luck on a commanding Hogan, while Davy used his head by bringing others into the game. Martin Boran's goal late in the game sealed victory for the Erin's Own men. It's a great time for the Erin's Own club, they won the U16 Rionn B hurling championship last Saturday and this Sunday they contest the minor Rionn A final. It just goes to show that a lot of hard work at underage level is paying off, incidentally the same Mr Buggy is training the minors and as they say (if you want the job done ask a busy man ). Danesfort lost nothing in defeat, on the day 'Comer just had that little bit extra experience and know-how to get the job done. The 'Fort men will be back and I have no doubt they will be stronger than ever after this year’s campaign.
Junior final
Lisdowney earned the right to contest this year’s junior final when they had too much firepower for Bennettsbridge. Due to club commitments, I didn't get to see this one but judging by the commentary on KCLR it was a bit lopsided. Lisdowney have had some good underage teams in recent years, they now take on Tullogher Rosbercon in the final on Saturday next. No one would begrudge the Tullogher men if they win this having lost the last two finals. However, I feel if Lisdowney don't freeze on the day, they can move into the intermediate division, players like Brian Purcell, Martin Phelan, Rory Hickey, Sean Phelan and Paddy Bowden to name just a few, would more than hold their own in the higher division.
County final
This present Shamrocks’ machine has a glorious chance on Sunday to emulate their predecessors who pulled off the famous three-in-a-row in '78, '79, '80. I'm not going to beat around the bush, I like many, have fancied the Shamrocks to lift the title long before a ball was even pucked, and from what I saw in the semi-finals, I won't be changing my mind. They may be without the services of the talented Colm Fennelly, but that shouldn't stop them as they have such strength and depth at present. I could go on and on about their strengths, but there is no point. This side is driven by players who want to emulate and maybe even be greater than their predecessors, while they have admired and listened to tales from past glories, these lads want to be remembered in their own right and that's what will motivate them to win on Sunday.
