RedFM Hurling League: Midleton maintain 100 percent record in Division 2

Midleton 2-23 

Killeagh 1-17 

Midleton made it five wins from five in Division 2 of the RedFM Hurling League as they saw off Killeagh at Clonmult Memorial Park on Thursday night.

The Magpies never trailed their neighbours at any stage. While the first four points were evenly shared, a fine Paul Connaughton goal gave Midleton a cushion and, after scoring the last five points of the first half, they were 1-11 to 0-6 clear at half-time.

Four more on the restart had them 12 point clear before a Gary Leahy goal helped to inspire a Killeagh revival, the visitors drawing to within five points, 1-19 to 1-14, with nine minutes remaining.

However, Midleton quelled the fightback with their second goal, well-finished by Pa White, and they comfortably saw out the rest of the game.

Micheál Keohane’s side, obviously missing Cork panellists Brion Saunderson, Tommy O’Connell and Conor Lehane, were also without Ross O’Regan, who has been very impressive in this league campaign, but they still boasted ten different scorers, with former Cork star Luke O’Farrell accounting for five points from play.

It was O’Farrell and Sam Quirke who got the hosts off to a good start and, while Dylan McCarthy and Dinny Walsh had Killeagh level, the first goal restored Midleton’s advantage. Following a nice diagonal ball by Cormac Beausang, Alex Quirke did well to claim possession and then feed Connaughton, who produced a smart finish.

With wides hampering Killeagh’s ability to stay in touch, Midleton were able to ease clear and they improved further as the half drew to close. Wing-back Eoin Moloney landed a long-range effort, followed by Beausang’s third just before he was forced to retire injured, making it 1-8 to 0-6.

Killeagh might have had a goal in reply but Zac Smith saved well to deny Gary Leahy and Beausang’s replacement, Darragh McCarthy, rounded off a lovely move involving Ciarmhac Smyth, Rory Hartnett, Paul Haughney and Seanaidh Smyth to leave six in it.

After another goal chance was saved by Zac Smith, Haughney and O’Farrell pointed to leave Midleton eight to the good at the break.

On the restart, O’Farrell picked up where he had left off and he had another after a Pa White free, leaving it 1-14 to 0-6 before Moloney got his second from distance.

To Killeagh’s credit, they continued to battle and, after Dylan McCarthy and David Buckley ended their scoring drought, they might have had a black-card penalty when Gary Leahy was fouled.

Dylan McCarthy pointed the free that resulted, leaving it 1-16 to 0-11, and though Sam Quirke had a Midleton free in riposte, Killeagh’s goal arrived on the three-quarter mark – Gary Leahy catching Dinny Walsh’s delivery before finishing to the net. That left them six behind and they had three of the next five points but Midleton’s composure was never shaken.

Following a short Killeagh puckout, Luke O’Farrell worked hard to force a turnover, allowing White to race free and slot the sliothar home. Subsequent points from Alex Quirke and Moloney had them ten in front, 2-21 to 1-14 and, while Ryan McCarthy – on free-taking duty after his brother Dylan’s injury-enforced departure – had a couple of good late points, Midleton were not to be denied.

Scorers for Midleton: L O’Farrell 0-5, S Quirke 0-4 (0-2f), P White (0-1f), P Connaughton 1-1 each, E Moloney, C Beausang (0-2f) 0-3 each, K Farmer, A Quirke (0-1f) 0-2 each, D McCarthy, P Haughnery 0-1 each.

Killeagh: D McCarthy 0-7 (0-6f), G Leahy 1-1, D Buckley 0-3, R McCarthy (0-2f), A Leahy 0-2 each, D Walsh, S Long 0-1 each.

MIDLETON: Z Smith; S Smyth, D Scanlon, C Gunning; E Moloney, C Smyth, R Hartnett; S Quirke, P Haughney; C Beausang, A Quirke, L O’Farrell; K Farmer, P White, P Connaughton.

Subs: D McCarthy for Beausang (22, injured), C Crowley for S Quirke (57), G Carroll for Connaughton (59).

KILLEAGH: P O’Neill; D Hogan, P O’Brien, G Lehane; R Sinclair, B Delaney, A Walsh; C Leahy, R McCarthy; D McCarthy, A Leahy, D Walsh; D Buckley, G Leahy, E Lane.

Subs: S Walsh for Lane (10-16, blood), S Long for C Leahy (33, injured), R Long for Delaney (38), S Walsh for Lane (48), D Motherway for D McCarthy (52, injured).# Referee: B Murphy (Carrigtwohill).