Cobh Unlucky as Castlemartyr retain their title

Castlemartyr 1-16
Cobh  2-11

Derek Kiely
Caherlag

CASTLEMARTYR have kept the "Jamesey Kelleher Cup" in the village after seeing off the spirited challenge of Cobh in this year's East Cork Oil Sponsored, East Cork Junior Hurling Final, played at the splendid Caherlag venue last Sunday evening. In front of a fine crowd, on a glorious evening Castlemartyr retained their title against a young Cobh side and they will now go on to represent the Imokilly division in the county championship next Sunday.
Cobh playing in their first final since dropping back from the Intermediate grade three years ago were hoping to bridge a 29 year gap back to 1985, but on this occasion, it proved a bridge too far for them as Castlemartyr were just that bit too experienced for them. Cobh however played a huge part in this final and they will certainly be one of the sides to watch in future.
However on this occasion the plaudits go to Castlemartyr and once again the Lawton brothers, Barry and Brian were to the fore in this success along with team captain Barra O'Tuama, who led by example throughout what was a fine sporting contest, well refereed by Mark Murphy, who was taking charge of his first final and did a solid job throughout.
Three times the sides were level in the opening ten minutes as Aidan O'Rourke opened the scoring for Cobh, while Brian and Barry Lawton twice had Castlemartyr back in front only for Brian Aherne from play and Adam McCarthy from a free drawing Cobh level. The Islanders who made two changes to their side were almost in for a goal but Eanna McGovern produced a great save to deny Cian Spriggs a goal on ten minutes. Spriggs was also unlucky not to connect with another ball that whizzed across the goal as Cobh failed to profit on the scoreboard when having a good period of possession.
In contrast Castlemartyr were far more economical with their chances and while Barry and Brian Lawton, now operating at full forward, were their go to men, Eddie Clifford, Sean Hennessy and team captain Barra O’Tuama, came up with some good points to help Castlemartyr to a 0-9 to 0-5 interval lead as Lee Murphy and Thomas McGrath had badly needed points for the Islanders.
Cobh made a good start to the second half with Darragh Kelleher and Lee Murphy getting points either side of a Brian Lawton effort for Castlemartyr. Cobh were working very hard but scores  were scarce while Castlemartyr with points from Jimmy Smiddy, Damien McAuliffe and Barry Lawton opened  up a six point gap as Martin O'Connor and Darragh Kelleher kept Cobh in touch. Cobh really needed a goal but instead it was Barry Lawton that saw his strike on the run end up in the net and that goal left Cobh with a mountain to climb as they trailed by 1-13 to 0-11 with just ten minutes remaining.
Points from Barry Lawton and Liam Martin looked to have Castlemartyr home and hosed but a goal from a 20 metre free and a second from play from Cian Spriggs saw Cobh cut the deficit to just two points. Time ran out on them as from the puck out the final whistle sounded and Castlemartyr had retained their East Cork title.