Beausang goal fires Midleton into Premier Senior HC final
Midleton's Tommy O'Connell breaks from St Finbarr's Ben Cunningham during the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC semi final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture; Eddie O'Hare
MIDLETON have secured a spot in the Cork Premier Senior HC final after more late drama in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, as they defeated the reigning champions St Finbarr’s by two points in the semi-final.
A late ball dropped into the square by Lehane saw Cormac Beausang pull on it, sending it into the back of the net, giving Midleton a two-point lead in the dying embers.
Ethan Twomey’s point for the Barrs brought it down to one, but a breath-taking strike from Brion Saunderson inside his own 45 gave Midleton the win, a just reward for the goalkeeper who made several incredible saves on the day.
They will now meet east Cork rivals Sarsfields in the final, after another superb second half performance.
Midleton struggled to settle in the opening 10 minutes, and the reigning champions took a 0-3 to 0-1 lead through points from Brian Hayes and William Buckley.
They almost netted a goal as Hayes broke away from Luke Dineen, before striking it at Saunderson, but the tightness of the angle was enough to see his attempt go wide of the posts.
A free from Conor Lehane kept the Magpies in touch, but they were struggling to get to grips with the game.
The two most recent championship winners traded scores, before Ben Cunningham got his first point from play after 20 minutes. His marker, Sean O’Leary-Hayes, responded 30 seconds later with a point of his own, one that really impressed the crowd.
Points from Buckley and Barrs captain Billy Hennessy put the city side 0-7 to 0-4 ahead after 26 minutes, but their east Cork opponents again responded, this time with Eoin Moloney’s excellent long-distance strike that sailed between the posts.
The Barrs had an even better goal chance on the half hour mark, as the ball dropped deep into Jack Cahalane. The corner-forward was through on goal and looked set to score, but Moloney stepped up at the other end, hooking Cahalane.
The ball continued rolling though, and it was almost in the back of the net, but Moloney produced an incredible goal line clearance as he flicked it out for a 65.
Cunningham converted the 65, and Hayes closed out the half with his second score to leave the Barrs four in front at the break.
An early long distance free from Lehane in the second period made it 0-9 to 0-6, but it was cancelled out by a beautiful strike over the shoulder from Conor Cahalane on 33.
Midleton did improve in the second period as they now played with the wind, outscoring the Barrs 4-1 over the course of the next 10 minutes to bring the gap down to the minimum.
An excellent solo effort from Buckley was cancelled by one from Cork U20 Dave Cremin, but the Barrs had another massive goal chance after 45 minutes as Hayes passed it off to Conor Cahalane, who was free and one-on-one with Saunderson.
The Cork U20 keeper who has certainly been making his case for the senior intercounty setup this year, rushed out and blocked Cahalane, stopping a certain goal and knocking it out for a 65.
Cunningham pointed the 65, but four scores in a row from Lehane, including one magnificent strike over the shoulder despite pressure from three Barrs defenders, gave Midleton the lead for the first time – 0-15 to 0-13 after 53 minutes.
St Finbarr’s responded well though and retook the lead on the hour mark, but as with the earlier semi-final, late drama saw the losing side comeback to win. With Beausang getting the all important goal and Saunderson scoring a brilliant point, Midleton advanced to the county final.
C Lehane 0-9 (0-5 f 0-2 65), C Beausang 1-1, M Finn, L O’Farrell, E Moloney, S O’Leary-Hayes, R O’Regan, D Cremin, B Saunderson 0-1 each.
B Cunningham 0-6 (0-3 f 0-2 65), W Buckley 0-4, C Cahalane, B Hayes, E Twomey 0-2 each, B Hennessy, E Finn 0-1 each.
B Saunderson; S O’Sullivan, S O’Leary-Hayes, L Dineen; E Moloney, T O’Connell, S Smyth; M Finn, P Haughney; C Beausang, C Lehane, P White; P Connaughton, L O’Farrell, D Cremin.
C Smyth for Dineen (10, inj), R O’Regan for Connaughton (h-t).
S Hurley; E Keane, J Burns, C Walsh; E Finn, D Cahalane, B Hennessy; E Twomey, W Buckley; C Cahalane, C Doolan, P Buggy; B Hayes, B Cunningham, J Cahalane.
S Cunningham for Twomey (35-38, bs).
Colm Lyons (Nemo Rangers).
App?
