Midleton CBS hold off a comeback from determined Hammies in a high-scoring Lord Mayor's Cup decider

Midleton CBS 2-19 Hamilton High School 1-21

FOR the third time in four years, Midleton CBS captured the Lord Mayor’s Cup for fourth- and fifth-year students.

Lord Mayor Cllr Mick Finn presented the A trophy to Cathal Hickey after an engaging clash with Hamilton High School at Páirc Uí Rinn, where the Bandon outfit almost stole a draw after Mark Hickey buried a free to the net in the closing stages.

However, the favourites held on, despite being reeled in from their 11-point advantage midway through the first half. Goals from Isaac Walsh, drilled home on the run, and Kyle Quinn Waites, had Midleton in complete control initially.

Five of the team had started in the Harty Cup victory this spring: Jack McGann, Ryan McCarthy, Richie Landers, Ciarán Joyce and the captain Hickey. This gave them a serious platform. They were able to introduce a sub of the calibre of Cloyne’s Éanna Motherway, who has been absent through injury up to now, while Noel Cahill and James Mulcahy clipped over tasty points.

Yet Hammies refused to cave in.

Their midfield duo Adam Kenneally and Darragh O’Shea were very prominent in the second half and Darren O’Donovan, Conor Taheny and Charlie Long shared 0-7 between them. Hickey slung over some difficult frees, and a couple from play too, and Eoghan Collins and Eddie Kenneally worked diligently throughout.

The core of the Midleton side will backbone the school’s Harty Cup title defence next season and they’ll be leading contenders again. Hammies were runners-up in the Munster B final recently but appear capable of competing at the top tier.

Previously this competition catered to schools who didn't participate in official second-level GAA grades but has evolved now that the likes of Christians and Pres are fielding hurling and football teams. 

Now it covers a younger age with a view to next season's seniors with A, B and C finals on the back of group games, organised by Paudie O'Brien and the Cork GDAs.

There will be a football version staged at Páirc Uí Rinn in May with the qualifying blitzes starting this week.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: I Walsh 1-2, R McCarthy 0-5 (0-2 f), C Hickey 0-4, K Quinn Waites 1-0, S Walsh 0-2 (0-1 f), N Cahill, J Mulcahy 0-2 each, P Connaughton, E Martin 0-1 each.

Hamilton High School: M Hickey 1-11 (1-9 f), C Taheny, D O’Donovan 0-3 each, C Long 0-2 each, E Kenneally, A Kenneally 0-1 each.

MIDLETON CBS: J McGann; J Fitzgerald, R Landers, L Hennessy; J Oke, C Joyce, B Kenneally; R McCarthy, E Martin; J Mulcahy, C Hickey, S Walsh; I Walsh, N Cahill, K Quinn Waites.

Subs: E Motherway, P Connaughton, J Fogarty.

HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL: O Walsh; B McCarthy, T Tuohy, C Lynch; C McCarthy, S Sexton, E Collins; A Kenneally, D O’Shea; D O’Donovan, A O’Leary, M Hickey; C Taheny, E Kenneally, C Long.

Sub: R O’Sullivan.

Referee: C Broderick (Na Piarsaigh).