U16 hurling glory for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire after thriller with Midleton in Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 2-14 Midleton CBS 3-9

THE AG completed an inspirational turnaround to win the Cork PPS U16 A Hurling final on the 4G pitch at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday, despite some late drama.

The resurgence was part of a magnificent second-half showing from both sides where Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin and Evan Mac Eochain put up monstrous performances. Ó Ceallacháin was lethal from frees, scoring three of his six points from the dead ball. Mac Eochain’s second-half goal was a vital moment in the game as it gave Gaelcholáiste Mhuire a four-point advantage with less than 10 minutes to play.

Cormac Deane got things up and running early in the first half for Midleton with two points while Luke O Muirthile scored one in response. The city side had the sliotar in the net after Craig Ó Súilleabháin laid the ball off beautifully to Ó Muirthile on the edge of the square who dispatched with aplomb.

Two minutes later Deane made the most of a wayward puck-out, driving forward and smashing it past Seán MacCartaigh Mac Héill.

The AG drew level thanks to the pinpoint accuracy of Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin’s free on 19 minutes but mere seconds later Midleton’s Dean Murphy scored a wonder goal. Parried into his path by the keeper, Murphy spun a defender attempting to clear the ball and finished from a tight angle, low to the left. An incredible finish.

The northsiders' response was brilliant, scoring three of the next four points to bring themselves within one at the break: 1-6 to 2-4. They started the second period with purpose, scoring three on the bounce. However, Midleton responded with three fine scores of their own from forwards Ben Geary, Deane and Sam Ring, to regain the advantage: 1-9 to 2-7.

This was when the AG really kicked into gear though, Ó Ceallacháin and Evan Mac Eochain took control of their destiny. Mac Eochain’s goal after 53 minutes turned the tide.

With the ball slipped neatly into his path in the square by Lucas Ó Muirthile, fooling the Midleton full-back line, Mac Eochain finessed it into the goal to give them an invaluable four-point lead with seven minutes of normal time to play.

Just when things looked like they might be over, Sam Ring pounced on a break in the square, narrowing the deficit to just two points with two minutes left on the clock: 2-14 to 3-9.

It was a nervy last couple for the northside boys but they held out.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: E Mac Eochain 1-3, G Ó Ceallacháin 0-6 (0-3 f), L Ó Mhuirthile 1-1, C Ó Súilleabháin, C Ó Cofaigh 0-2 each.

Midleton CBS: C Deane 1-4, D Murphy, S Ring 1-1 each, B Geary 0-2, C Garde 0-1 f.

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: S MacCárthaigh Mac Héill (Glen); J Ó Conchúir (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Cróinín (do), S Ó Laocha (St Vincent's); R Ó Caoinleáin (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Buachalla (Glen), J Ó Criagáin (Na Piarsaigh); J Ó Brosnacháin (Glen), L Ó Mhuirthile (Na Piarsaigh); N Ó Cofaigh (do), E Mac Eochain (Glen), G Ó Ceallacháin (do); C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Cathaláin (do), C Ó Cofaigh (do).

Subs: S Ó Ceallacháin for C Ó Cofaigh (47), S Ó Búachalla for J Ó Brosnacháin (58).

MIDLETON CBS: TC Walsh (Aghada); R O’Connell (Fr O'Neills), S Caroll (Midleton), F Connaughton (Kiltha Óg); S Murtagh (St Colman’s), C Garde (Lisgoold), C Rooney (Carrigtwohill); TA Walsh (do), D Hevin (St Colman’s); S O’Mahony (Midleton), C Deane (Killeagh), C Seymour (Carrigtwohill); B Geary (Killeagh), D Murphy (Lisgoold), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

Subs: B Cooney for S O’Mahony (40), D Mulcahy for C Rooney (56).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).