Premier SHC: This one's for you, Teddy - Sarsfields are Cork hurling champions again

Sarsfields 0-21

Midleton 0-19

When Sarsfields won the Cork SHC in 2008 to end a 51-year wait, Teddy McCarthy was one of Bertie Óg Murphy’s selectors.

Having had to endure such a wait since 1957, the nine-year gap since 2014 until now could never compare but its bridging still brought a welter of emotion. And, while Teddy Mac could not be there in person, he was certainly there in spirit, his memory honoured long and loud by the Rivrstown faithful.

Sars didn’t lead until the 51st minute of the encounter, when Aaron Myers scored his tenth point to make it 0-18 to 0-17, but they had wiped out what was a five-point lead early in the second half and continued to enjoy the upper hand for what was left.

It was 0-21 to 0-18 as injury time dawned following scores from the irrepresible Cathal McCarthy and Myers’ 12th.

With such a delicate lead, it was surprising that Midleton were able to generate a goal chance with Sars marking so loose, but Luke O’Farrell, found by Seán O’Leary Hayes, saw his shot blocked by Paul Leopold.

Midleton, who had hit St Finbarr’s for a late winning goal in the semi-final, sought something similar at the death in order to force extra time but all they could muster was a Tadhg O’Leary Hayes point and Ciarán O’Regan’s whistle brough joy for those in blue, black and white.

Before a crowd of 11,645, Midleton had the wind in the first half. They enjoyed a six-point lead at one stage before Sars ended an 11-minute scoring drought in injury time to leave themselves facing a more manageable deficit of four at half-time.

Sars were forced to go without Killian Murphy and James Sweeney, meaning a first championship start for captain Conor O’Sullivan. He was midfield for the throw-in but operated as sweeper with Colm McCarthy dropping from attack to partner Daniel Kearney in the middle.

McCarthy’s cousin Cathal was corner-back, but his marking job on Patrick White allowed him to enjoyed a freer range out the field and it was he who scored the point to move the ticker in the 31st minute of the first half after it had been stuck on seven.

At the other end, Seán O’Leary was detailed to shadow Jack O’Connor and while the Cork attacker had Sars’ first point, in the second minute, he was not on the ball as much as they would have liked him to be. As usual, Tommy O’Connell was able to quarterback them from a floating centre-back role.

Goal chances in the opening period were scarce to the point of non-existent, though Sars did almost fashion one following a lovely sweeping move in the ninth minute. Daniel Kearney, Cathal McCarthy, Daniel Hogan and Shane O’Regan were all involved before it broke down, with Midleton then getting the next three points through White, O’Connell and a Mikey Finn sideline cut. Sars did restore parity with a trio from Aaron Myers but Midleton enjoyed a purple path after that, with Ross O’Regan coming into the game with thee marvellous points while Finn doubled his tally.

After a wasted Sars chance, Lehane’s third made it 0-11 to 0-7 and he added a free before then intercepting a loose defensive pass to fire over for that lead of six.

Cathal McCarthy and Myers were on hand to leave it 0-13 to 0-9 at the break, Daniel Kearney involved in the lead-up to both scores. Though Paul Haughney had the first score of the second half, Sars gradually ate into the margin.

Myers was metronomic from dead balls with Kearney’s experience key – he pointed on 40 and then was fouled for Myers to leave one in it, 0-15 to 0-14. They were level after a good turnover point by Jack O’Connor.

Cormac Beausang pushed Midleton back in front but Cathal McCarthy replied and he did the same after Lehane’s seventh and final point. Once Myers put Sars into the lead, they would not lose it.

Scorers for Sarsfields: A Myers 0-12 (0-8f), Cathal McCarthy 0-4, J O’Connor 0-2, D Kearney, Colm McCarthy, D Hogan 0-1 each.

Midleton: C Lehane 0-7 (0-4f), R O’Regan 0-3, P Haughney, M Finn (0-1 sideline) 0-2 each, T O’Connell, S O’Sullivan, P White, C Beausang, T O’Leary Hayes 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS: D McCarthy; Cathal McCarthy, C Leahy, P Leopold; B Murphy, E Murphy, L Elliott; C O’Sullivan, D Kearney; D Hogan, Colm McCarthy, A Myers; J O’Connor, C Darcy, S O’Regan.

Subs: L Hackett for O’Regan (43), J Sweeney for Darcy (49), B Nodwell for Hogan (53),

MIDLETON: B Saunderson; S Smyth, S O’Sullivan, S O’Leary Hayes; E Moloney, T O’Connell, C Smyth; M Finn, P Haughney; D Cremin, C Lehane, R O’Regan; C Beausang, L O’Farrell, P White.

Subs: P Connaughton for Cremin (45), T O’Leary Hayes for White (60).

Referee: C O’Regan (Ballyhea).