Lynch the difference as strong Sars see off Midleton in East Cork JAHC opener
Sarsfields' David Lynch was on form against Midleton, scoring 1-5 from play. Picture: Denis O'Flynn
Sarsfields and Midleton, a matchup that delivered twice in 2023 with the East Cork U21 A and Premier Senior HC finals – returned for the first round of the East Cork Oil Junior A HC, with the Riverstown side victorious in the end after a testing second half in Cobh on Monday.
It was a scrappy first 30 with the teams drawing level five times and finishing the half six points apiece, but a commanding restart from Sars spearheaded by David Lynch saw last year’s U21 hit 1-1, putting them 1-8 to 0-6 in front after 33 minutes.
His goal came after scooping up a turnover in Midleton’s defensive third, and the corner-forward found space before firing home.
The gap hovered between four and five points for over 20 minutes as Midleton struggled to find a way back against the awkward Cobh breeze. Neil Fitzpatrick and Odhran McCarthy were defensively sound, though it was Darragh O’Callaghan who stood out in the latter half when they were under pressure.
By minute 53 Midleton were running out of time, and Alan Power set up Ryan McConville for a goal chance, but Colin Looney pulled off an outstanding save on McConville’s close range shot to preserve their six-point cushion.
Padraig O’Brien sent over a free before Midleton finally broke through with an injection of pace from substitute Daniel Garde, who made a brilliant run and set up his minor teammate Conor Morley. His thunderous shot couldn’t be stopped, 1-13 to 1-11.
30 seconds later Morley assisted Evan McGrath for a white flag – reducing the gap to one and suddenly the Magpies were back in it with two minutes to go.
Sean King replied with a big score for Sars, and they continued their return to sender approach every time Midleton went long – and one long ball back found substitute Louis Casey in added time.
Former Cork minor Carthaigh Cronin made a superb block on his point attempt, but Lynch recovered the loose ball and converted, while a late Sean Higgins’ free sealed the win.
The first half, though short on action, was tense. The scoring was back and forth, with neither side stretching beyond a two-point lead.
Midleton’s biggest lead of the game was that margin of two after 19 minutes, but an excellent point from John Leddy and a free from Higgins drew Sars level after 26.
Both sets of defenders did well to keep scores to a minimum, with Midleton’s Evan McCarthy and Tomás Dunlea impressive – though the latter produced a superb block on Colm O’Regan and an even better point from corner-back in the 30th minute to give Midleton a lead for the last time.
O’Regan’s sole point levelled it for the fifth time, but Sars took the advantage early in the second half and wouldn’t be beaten.
D Lynch 1-5, Sean Higgins 0-5 (0-4 f), C O’Rourke, J Leddy (0-1 f) 0-2 each, S King, C O’Regan 0-1 each.
P O’Brien 0-6 f, C Morley 1-0, E McGrath 0-2, D Scanlon, R McConville, P Nagle, T Dunlea 0-1 each.
C Looney; Shane Higgins, N Fitzpatrick, J Darcy; O McCarthy, J Leddy, D O’Callaghan; S O’Driscoll, S King; Sean Higgins, C Kelleher, F O’Leary; D Lynch, C O’Rourke, C O’Regan.
D Barry for McCarthy (47), L Casey for O’Leary (53).
Z Smyth; G Bagnell, C Walsh, T Dunlea; E McCarthy, P Kane, C Cronin; A Power (Cpt), E Fraser; E McGrath, R McConville, P Nagle; D Scanlon, C Morley, P O’Brien.
D Garde for Nagle (43), C Lambe for Walsh (51, inj), D Cagney for Scanlon (54).
Brian Sweeney (Erin’s Own)
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