Midleton CBS off to flying Harty Cup start against Rice College Ennis

Midleton 1-17 Rice College Ennis 0-14 

MIDLETON CBS delivered a dominant second half performance to brush aside Rice College Ennis in the Harty Cup, despite facing a four-point deficit at the interval. Their six-point win over Ennis kicked started their hunt for a fifth Harty title in style.

CBS scored 1-5 without reply in the final 10 minutes to claim the win, with Cillian Barry’s goal supplementing an incredible performance from Killeagh’s Cork minor duo Ben and Barry Walsh.

The defensive displays of Daniel Murnane and Carthaigh Cronin also proved key, and with nine Cork minors from this year’s panel, they’ll be tough to beat.

The Group 1 tie, originally to be played in Kilmallock, was moved to UL as a result of the heavy rain, but even on an all-weather pitch, the challenging conditions made it difficult for both sides, especially as the rain continued in the early stages.

With the game level at 0-1 each, Barry Walsh came close to getting a goal for Midleton after four minutes, but his powerful shot was well saved by Conor Nash. They traded scores once more, and then McCarthy’s second free put Midleton in front 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes.

Ennis came alive for the next 10 minutes, scoring five from play to Midleton’s one, with Jack O’Neill’s incredible score the highlight for Rice, as he broke three tackles before pointing with prowess.

Padraic O’Donovan’s long-range strike gave the Clare outfit a 0-9 to 0-4 lead after 18, as Midleton struggled to get into gear, with Ennis the harder working team. Their four wides to Midleton’s eight said it all, as Rice led 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Substitute Kane Walsh came close to giving Midleton the lead with two goal chances early on in the second period as CBS raised the tempo. It was an excellent team point for Midleton that kick started their purple patch, as James O’Leary passed it to Daniel Murnane, who played a one-two with Ben Walsh before pointing in style.

Midleton were unrelenting from 45 minutes on, and Ennis couldn’t cope with the constant pressure, despite Conor Perill’s best efforts from frees. A goal chance did arrive for the team in yellow and blue, but Perill failed to convert from close range.

Nash’s excellent free from inside his own 45 kept it level, 0-11 each, but with Murnane and Ben Walsh combining to put Midleton ahead in the 50th minute, Rice finally cracked, and CBS pulled away and secured the win.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: Barry Walsh (0-1 65), Ben Walsh 0-4 each, D McCarthy 0-3 f, C Barry 1-0, C Leahy, J O’Brien 0-2 each, J O’Leary, D Murnane 0-1 each.

Rice College Ennis: C Perill 0-6 (0-5 f), P O’Donovan 0-3, J O’Neill 0-2, R McDermott, D Moroney, C Nash (f) 0-1 each.

MIDLETON CBS: F Murphy (Killeagh); C Cronin (Midleton), S O’Callaghan (Aghada), D O’Brien (Killeagh); S Geaney (Kiltha Óg), D Murnane (Carrigtwohill), C O’Callaghan (Kiltha Óg); J O’Leary (Lisgoold), Ben Walsh (Killeagh); Barry Walsh (Killeagh), P Walsh (Carrigtwohill), D McCarthy (Killeagh); J O’Brien (St Colman’s), F O’Connor (Aghada), C Leahy (Killeagh).

b K Walsh (Lisgoold) for O’Connor (h-t), C Barry (Carrigtwohill) for P Walsh (44), T Connell (Erin’s Own) for Geaney (53), E Fraser (Midleton) for Leahy (60+1) N Dvoy (Aghada) for McCarthy (60+2).

RICE COLLEGE ENNIS: C Nash (Doora Barefield); L Pyne (Éire Óg), J Cahill (Clooney Quin), L Clune (Doora Barefield); E Fitzpatrick (Banner), E McMahon (Doora Barefield), R McDermott (Éire Óg); N Doyle (Éire Óg), R Mulcahy (Éire Óg); P O’Donovan (Doora Barefield), J O’Neill (Clooney Quin), F Lyons (Corofin Ruan); D Moroney (Éire Óg), E Lahiffe (Doora Barefield), C Perill (Éire Óg).

Subs: S Kelly (Banner) for Mulcahy (60, inj), C O’Toole (Banner) for Lahiffe (60).

Referee: John O’Halloran (Limerick)