Erin's Own douse Sarsfields' fire

Cork SHC Semi-finals: A waterlogged Páirc Uí Chaoimh pitch forced the abandonment of the Cork senior hurling championship semi-final between holders Newtownshandrum and great rivals Cloyne after 11 minutes yesterday. Cloyne were leading by 0-2 to 0-1 at the time.

Referee Diarmuid Kirwan was left with no alternative but to abandon proceedings following hours of incessant rain which turned parts of the surface into mini-lakes. The game was already in serious doubt after players from Erin's Own and Sarsfields experienced obvious difficulties in the other semi-final played earlier. The teams are likely to meet again next weekend with the final scheduled for a week later.

Erin's Own overcame Sarsfields 1-11 to 0-8 to secure a place in the final for the first time since 2000. A goal 20 seconds into the second half by Mark O'Connor,after a one-handed strike, was the boost they required.

Eoin Murphy's accuracy from placed balls was also crucial in the second period as he put his side 1-8 to 0-7 in front in the final quarter. A minor skirmish led to the dismissal of Kevin Goggin of Sarsfields and Kieran Murphy of Erin's Own for second yellow-card offences.

Two more Murphy points, including a free from distance on the left, stretched their advantage before Sarsfields mounted a rally. John Murphy went for a goal from a close-range free three minutes from the end, but the defence cleared. Fergus Murphy hit over the best score of the match in stoppage time to ensure Erin's Own prevailed.

Sarsfields led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval. Their lead could have been greater but for a superb save by Erin's Own goalkeeper Shay Bowen, who deflected a Pat Barry shot around the post for a 65 after 12 minutes.

ERIN'S OWN: S Bowen; P Fenton, P Fitzgerald, S Murphy; S Cronin, C O'Connor, P Kelly; K Murphy (0-1, free), R Carroll (0-1); M O'Connor (1-0), M Buckley (0-2), F Murphy (0-2); C Coakley, B Corcoran, E Murphy (0-5, four frees). Sub: K Murphy for Coakley (45 mins).

SARSFIELDS: D O'Rourke; P O'Flynn, P Roche, D Kenneally; K Goggin, R Ryan, captain, B McCarthy (0-1); K Murphy (0-1), P Ryan (0-2, one 65, one free); P Barry (0-1), R Murphy, M Cussen; N O'Sullivan, J Murphy (0-2, one free), T Óg Murphy (0-1). Subs: G McCarthy for R Murphy (half-time), J Barry for Kenneally (39 mins), R Duggan for T Óg Murphy (44 mins).

Referee: D Copps (Cork).