Sars and Midleton serve up classic U16 hurling league final
Midleton’s Cian Lawton and Sarsfield’s Eoin Considine go head to head. Picture: Chani Anderson
A marathon Rebel Óg U16 Premier 1 Hurling League final at the Mardyke ended in a victory for Sars.
It was a furious Imokilly derby that was end to end, and it came down to two late 65s that were taken short as the Magpies pushed for what would have been a game-winning goal.
Sars held their line on a night that saw Cathal Galvin, Alex Morley, and Cuan McMahon raise green flags at crucial moments.
It didn’t look like this was going to be the case as Midleton raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead. Shane O’Mahony, Scott Dunlea, Peader Egan, John O’Sullivan and Max Murphy all raised white flags during this spell.
It gave them a cushion that Sars tore apart during a 1-2 burst that saw McMahon goal in the 10th minute. This turned the game on its head and it developed into a brilliant shoot-out between the rivals.
Galvin’s goal in the 17th minute gave Sars the lead for just the second time, and it was the pick of the three. The full-forward seamlessly caught the sliotar and put it beyond the reach of Michael Allegrini.
That made it 2-4 to 0-8 but the next three scores went to Midleton. They weren’t enough to put them ahead but the break as Alex Maher worked with Galvin to make it 2-6 to 0-11.
The game restarted and it was more of the same, thrilling action as both sides created chances and the tempo never relented. Neither side could take a commanding lead.
Tom Huggins split the post for Sarsfields within seconds of the restart before Adam Dunlea then put over a free, but their 2-8 to 0-11 advantage was wiped out through scores from Liam Walsh and Murphy.
The Magpies regained the lead midway through the second half after they rattled off 0-3. Scott Dunlea got the pick of that bunch, and that put his side in front 0-19 to 2-12.
Even when Alex Morely ran through the Midleton midfield and picked his spot in the 60th minute to hit the back of the net, it wasn't enough.
By the final whistle, they couldn't be separated, we were heading to extra-time.
The first period of 10 minutes was as tight, 3-18 to 0-27.
However, Sarsfields took over when the game got back underway.
They outscored Midleton 0-4 to 0-1, starting with a driven effort from play by Adam Leahy, with Galvin converting two frees and Adam Dunlea following up. Midleton pushed for a late goal, and two 65s were swatted away by Sarsfields on the edge of the square in the dying seconds.
Having already collided in the group stages of the U16 championship, it would be no surprise if the two clubs met again in the championship rematch.
C Galvin 1-8 (0-7 f), A Leahy 0-5 (0-2 f), C McMahon 1-1, A Morely 1-0, A Maher, T Huggins (0-1 f), A Dunlea (0-1 f) 0-2 each, E Considine, T O’Flynn 0-1 each.
S O’Mahony 0-12 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), L Walsh, J O’Sullivan, S Carroll 0-3 each, M Murphy 0-3 f, S Dunlea 0-2, P Egan, C O’Brien 0-1 each.
C McCarthy; D Pomeroy, T O’Flynn, O Hurley; E Considine, A Dunlea, D Crowley; S Sheehan, A Leahy; C McMahon, C Fennessy, A Maher; T Huggins, C Galvin, A Morely.
R Fitzpatrick for Maher (HT); R Dennehy for Crowley (50), C Mohally for Sheehan (50), A Maher for Fitzpatrick (ET).
M Allegrini; C Twomey, B Dunlea, J Morely; C Kelly, M Murphy, P Egan; S Dunlea, A Hennessy; L Walsh, S Carroll, C Lawton; J O’Sullivan, S O’Mahony, C O’Brien.
J Cahill for Dunlea (35); R McCormack for O’Brien (55), R O’Riordan for Lawton (60), D Birdthistle for Hennessy (ET), S Gregory for O’Sullivan (ET).
Frank O’Dwyer (St Finbarr’s).
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