MSL soccer: Midleton clinch Premier Division title after narrow win over Cobh Wanderers

Midleton 1 Cobh Wanderers 0

MIDLETON were crowned Beamish Stout Senior Premier Division champions following their 1-0 win over Cobh Wanderers at Knockgriffin Park on Thursday.

Jack O’Sullivan’s second-half goal saw the Magpies claim the title on the final day of the season, denying long-time leaders College Corinthians who beat Bandon 3-0 at the time.

Midleton went into this game two points clear of College Corinthians who were three ahead with 10 minutes remaining, and with the game in Knockgriffin still scoreless, it meant both sides were level on 42 points, with a play-off looming at that point.

However, Midleton’s second-half pressure finally paid off when O’Sullivan rose to head home Robert Walsh’s corner kick to hand his side the advantage and ultimately the league trophy.

This league race may have gone down to the wire, but Midleton’s success wasn’t just about Thursday’s win; it was the result of a remarkable run of games that saw the new champions bag 34 points from their last 12 games.

They hadn’t lost a league game since Avondale beat them 3-1 in December when they trailed Corinthians by 10 points, albeit with a couple of games in hand.

Their recent 2-0 win over their title rivals at Castletreasure was crucial in that run of games, as was Corinthians’ defeat to Wanderers in their penultimate league game, but with Corinthians expected to beat relegated Bandon, Midleton knew that they would have to defeat Cobh if they were to avoid a play-off.

That became more evident when Mark O’Sullivan gave the Castletreasure side the lead after 14 minutes.

Midleton had started well themselves and had a good chance two minutes in. Cobh keeper Arthur Nganou came for a cross from the right, but missed the ball, allowing Evan Bolster to head back into the penalty area, but Jake Hegarty headed wide.

Midleton continued to apply early pressure and Sean Cummins had to cut out a Christian Daly cross from the right at the near post as Hegarty waited to pounce.

On the quarter-hour mark a fine delivery from Robert Walsh on the left was met by Daly, but he headed wide while stretching at the far side of the area.

Midleton continued to press for that goal and Daly fired over with a good strike from inside the right-hand side of the penalty area after good pressure on the Cobh defence.

The visitors showed great resilience, though, and finished the half strongly. Midleton defender John Keane had to make a good block on a Nathan O’Connell shot from the edge of the penalty area that appeared to be on target.

Two minutes later Ciaran Griffin hit a dropping ball over from the left-hand side of the penalty area, while good play late in the half saw O’Connell go close twice with shots from outside the penalty area.

By the time Midleton returned for the second half, Mark O’Sullivan had put Corinthians 2-0 ahead against Bandon, so Kevin Murray's men knew they had to up the tempo, and Hegarty went very close with a header that went over on 55 minutes.

The Magpies piled on the pressure and began to dominate the game and Nganou had to get down well to save a Hegarty header for a corner midway through the half.

With 10 minutes remaining, it was still all square at the top of the table, with Corinthians now three ahead after Keelan Crowley scored, but that all changed after Midleton won a corner on the left.

Former Corinthians man Walsh slung in the flag kick for O’Sullivan to head home and win the title they last won in 2018 when current manager Kevin Murray was captain.

MIDLETON: Shane Hallahan, James McCarthy, Robert Walsh, John Keane, Dylan O’Halloran, Seamus Farrell, Christian Daly, Jack O’Sullivan, Jake Hegarty, Eoin Healy, Evan Bolster.

Subs: Kelvin Krushel for McCarthy (51), Rhys Kelly-Noonan for Daly (56), Kevin Tattan for Healy (86), Luke Duggan-Murray and Mattie O’Sullivan for Bolster and Jack O’Sullivan (both 92),

COBH WANDERERS: Arthur Nganou, Adam Hastings-Gilley, Mikey Foley, Sean Cummins, David Brennan, Dylan McNamara, Kevin Foster-O’Reilly, Nathan O’Connell, Ciaran Griffin, Loic Nguefang, Darragh Heelan.

Subs: David O’Sullivan for Nguefan (65), Luke O’Leary and TJ Aibor for Hastings-Gilley and Heelan (both 71).

Referee: Graham Kelly, assistants Robert O’Leary, Declan Fogarty.