P1 U16 HC: Midleton claw back against Kiltha Óg to clinch semi-final spot
Midleton's Ciaran Kelly clears downfield while Niall Leahy, Kiltha Óg applies pressure during their Premier 1 U16 Hurling Championship game in Midleton. Jack McKay
Kiltha Óg needed a win to stay in the Premier 1 U16 Hurling Championship, and after a flying first half that saw the amalgamation of Dungourney and Castlemartyr lead 1-10 to 0-9 at the break, they were poised to do it.
Midleton, who were off the pace in the first half at home stormed Kiltha on the resumption – scoring a staggering eight points unanswered on Monday evening.
Suddenly they were four in front rather than behind, with 13 minutes to go.
But Kiltha Óg hit back.
Evan Connolly who excelled throughout at centre-back set up Luke Falahee, who then assisted Andrew Ahern two minutes later.
Connolly and Finn Connaughton combined to set up Jack Leahy’s younger brother Niall, and with seven minutes to go the hosts were under pressure, leading 0-17 to 1-13.
John O’Sullivan clipped over two crucial points for the Magpies, but Kiltha’s Connolly split them with a fantastic effort.
An incredible catch from a puckout in midfield, he darted straight for goal. He got as far as the 20 but had to settle for a white flag – and the Magpies led by two heading into added time.
The Imogeela parish had one last chance – but Jack Carlton’s puckout was intercepted by Liam Walsh, and he surged forward.
Kiltha had no choice but to foul him, and Shane O’Mahony converted the resulting free – giving Midleton a three-point cushion they would not cede.
The game winning run in the second period was spearheaded by Walsh and Patrick O’Dowd, but Max Murphy controlled the defence to ensure Kiltha Óg couldn’t halt their momentum.
The visitors powered into a 1-6 to 0-1 advantage in the first quarter, with Colm Smiddy getting the goal inside two minutes, assisted by Falahee.
O’Mahony and Walsh raised two white flags for Midleton before the former’s thunderous shot at goal was rejected by the post in the 20th minute.
With Cody accurate from frees Kiltha Óg kept their lead at four heading into the break – but the hosts’ decision making improved dramatically in the latter half.
Full-back Braden Dunlea picked out Walsh with a long pass forward, and his clever flick behind allowed him to set up O’Dowd, who made no mistake from an acute angle.
Murphy and O’Mahony hit the target to bring the gap down to one, and after 36 minutes the Magpies drew level.
Murphy’s direct ball was knocked on by Charlie McCarthy, and Walsh was there to pull on it from a long way out. It flew over the crossbar – 0-13 to 1-10.
Scores from Scott Dunlea, O’Dowd, McCarthy and O’Mahony fired the Magpies four ahead and they remained in front, but Kiltha Óg ensured it would be hard fought.
The result means Kiltha and Na Piarsaigh are out, while Midleton will face Glen Rovers in the semi-final – with Sarsfields meeting the winner of Carrigtwohill and Carrigaline’s playoff in the other semi.
S O’Mahony 0-6 (0-5 f), J O’Sullivan 0-4, L Walsh, P O’Dowd, M Murphy 0-2 each, S Carroll, S Dunlea, C Lawton, C McCarthy 0-1 each.
M Cody 0-5 (0-4 f), C Smiddy 1-1, L Falahee, A Ahern 0-2 each, C Howard, E Connolly, F Connaughton (65), N Leahy 0-1 each.
M Allegrini; C Twomey, B Dunlea, J Morley (Cpt); P Egan, M Murphy, C Kelly; S Dunlea, C Lawton; P O’Dowd, S Carroll, S O’Mahony; J O’Sullivan, L Walsh, J Cahill.
C McCarthy for Cahill, R McCormack for Morley (both HT), Cahill for O’Dowd (60+1).
J Carlton; J Clifford, D Ronayne, L Keane; J O’Neill, E Connolly, D Walsh; F Connaughton, M O’Mahony; N Leahy, C Howard, C Smiddy; L Falahee, A Ahern, M Cody.
R Donovan for Ahern (60+2).
Cathal McAllister (Aghada)
App?
