CBS grab the cup after a Midleton derby to highlight the hurling stronghold's strength in depth

Midleton CBS 0-16 St Colman's CC 1-13

(Midleton win after a 65 shootout)

THIS Midleton derby in the C tier of the Lord Mayor’s Cup went to a 65 shootout after a late James Condon goal levelled the game for St Colman’s Community College.

Midleton CBS’ second team showed why the school is doing so well across the hurling grades by getting the better of their local rivals, though it took a 65 from Cathal Fitzgibbon in sudden death at Páirc Uí Rinn to edge it. It meant they headed east with two trophies, as their A panel defeated Hamilton High School in the main final.

St Colman’s had some serious players at their disposal, including Aaron Mulcahy and Cian Crowley from Midleton’s county-minor winning crop, but CBS had some standout hurlers of their own in Daire O’Sullivan, Conor Fitzgerald, Zac McAuliffe and Andrew Kelly. Overall this was a quick and lively clash, with all the players leaving everything on the pitch.

There was very little between the schools early on, with Mulcahy, Conor O'Keeffe - after a blistering run - and Conor Cahill, with an over-the-shoulder effort, the pick of the points.

They were never more than a one-point gap until the run-up to half-time. At the break Colman’s were 0-11 to 0-9 ahead, thanks to three lovely scores from play in a row courtesy of Darragh O’Connor, Darragh Ryan and Rory O’Connell.

Midleton CBS upped the gears on the resumption though with Nicky Hayes and Cahill among the scorers as they pushed 0-16 to 0-12 in front. It looked like that would be enough, until a Mulcahy free was followed by Condon’s goal to send the tie to a shootout.

When the first three 65s from each school didn't produce a winner, sudden death followed and wing-back Fitzgibbon took his chance to secure the silverware for CBS.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: C Fitzgerald 0-7 (0-6 f), C Cahill 0-3, N Hayes, A Kelly 0-2 each, C O’Driscoll, C Ronayne 0-1 each.

St Colman’s: A Mulcahy 0-8 (0-5 f), J Condon 1-0, R O’Connell, D Ryan, D O’Connor, C Crowley, C O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

MIDLETON CBS: T Allen; S Walsh, C Carroll, C Flynn; C Fitzgibbon, Z McAuliffe, D O’Sullivan; C Coughlan, C Fitzgerald; C Cahill, N Hayes, N McGrath; C Ronayne, C O’Driscoll, A Kelly.

Subs: E Daly Harkin, T Wall, C Hallahan.

ST COLMAN’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE: B O’Connor; R Cahill, J Norris, E O’Keeffe; D Lucey, D Ryan, R O’Connell; O McGovern, C Crowley; J Condon, A Mulcahy, C O’Keeffe; D O’Connor, D Cashman, R Donnegan.

Subs: A Slye, W O’Sullivan.

Referee: C Ó Mocháin (Cill na Martra).