Cork SHC Final/ Erin's Own 2-19 Cloyne 3-14: Even the most ardent of Erin's Own supporters harboured some sympathy for Cloyne in what proved a knife-edge Cork senior hurling championship final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday. Their manager, Martin Bowen, summed it up when saying: "Do you know I feel sorry for Cloyne."

The east Cork club, made famous by the legendary Christy Ring, have yet to win the Cork crown even though yesterday saw them contest a third successive decider. However, Dermot O'Sullivan's side can salvage some comfort after playing a major role in a pulsating final.

Erin's Own team captain, Tim Kelleher, not included in the starting 15, got a belated nod from Bowen to play the last few minutes. If veteran Kelleher was not given time to show his worth his team-mate Brian Corcoran, who along with Kelleher is the only surviving member of the 1992 winning team, played an inspirational part when moving out to the "40" to marshal the Erin's Own front-runners. His delicate touch to set up Fergus Murphy for a spectacular badminton shot goal proved the key moment 19 minutes into the second half at a time when the sides were level, Cloyne's 2-12 to Erin's Own 1-15.

Cian O'Connor at centre back and wing back Peter Kelly padlocked the Erin's Own defensive screen. Still, the Cloyne attack with Paudie O'Sullivan (1-7) and Conor Cusack (2-0) threatened seriously to turn the tide right up to the final whistle.

Eoghan Murphy, the prolific Erin's Own corner forward, finished up having the greatest impact of all with a personal tally of 1-10.

Cloyne had slightly the better of the first half. They led by 2-8 to 0-11 at half time thanks to an injury-time goal by Conor Cusack. But Cloyne tended to slumber during the opening minutes of the second half. True to the nip-and-tuck nature of the fascinating struggle they found themselves trailing by 2-8 to 1-13 before Paudie O'Sullivan got Cloyne motoring again.

Cusack's second goal 25 minutes into the second half left the sides level again 3-13 to 2-16. The pace and tempo of the game, despite tiring limbs, was quite hectic. Not unexpectedly Brian Corcoran stretched Erin's Own lead with a spectacular point under pressure, but Paudie O'Sullivan clipped over a lovely point to narrow the gap to the minimum in the dying minutes. It was Eoghan Murphy who had the final say with a late point to close down the match. Corcoran confirmed after the match that he is willing to go another season and no doubt he will be Cork's captain in the upcoming league and championship campaign.

ERIN'S OWN: S Bowen, P Fenton, P Fitzgerald, S Murphy, S Cronin, C O'Connor, P Kelly (0-2), Kieran Murphy (0-2), R Carroll (0-1), M O'Connor (0-1), M Buckley, C Coakley, F Murphy (1-1), B Corcoran (0-2), E Murphy (1-10, 6 frees and 65). Subs: T Kelleher for Carroll; Killian Murphy for Buckley.

CLOYNE: D Óg Cusack, O O'Sullivan, D Motherway, B Fleming, L O'Driscoll, C Cronin, Donal O'Sullivan, J Cotter (0-1), S Nyhan, M Naughton (0-2), Dermot O'Sullivan (0-3), C O'Sullivan (0-1), P O'Sullivan (1-7, 4 pointed frees), P Cahill, C Cusack (2-0). Subs: I Quinlan for Cotter.

Referee: D Copps (Ballyhea).