Midleton outgun Newtown to move into Premier Senior Hurling semis
Luke Dineen and Ciarmhac Smyth, Midleton, under the dropping ball with Jamie Coughlan, Newtownshandrum, in the Premier Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
No more than three points separated the teams for the first three quarters – and so when Cormac O’Brien assisted John Geary for a critical Newtownshandrum score, the teams were level for the fifth time at the 45 minute mark in Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday night.
But Midleton’s response was ruthless.
Dave Cremin – cornered off and without room to shoot gave it to Sam Quirke – positioned behind him. The midfielder picked out his brother Alex with an immaculate stick pass, and he teed up Luke O’Farrell.
It was only going to go one way, and as soon as O’Farrell had the space to shoot – he buried it.
Newtown had stuck with their opponents all the way, but the goal hit them hard.
A hurley-less Conor Lehane had space to shoot, and he tried to kick it over from a long way out. The effort was so wayward it landed straight to Cremin – who popped it over, 2-14 to 1-13.
The Magpies just kept going, score after score. By the 55th minute they’d reeled off 1-5 without a reply, and were nine points in front.
A couple of points from Ronan Geary did little to change their fortunes as the goal eluded them – ensuring Midleton would go on to the Premier Senior Hurling Championship semi-final.
The goal stopped Newtown dead in their tracks, and with eight second half wides and only five points – they’ll be disappointed after leading by two at the break.
The Magpies got off to a flying start – with Eoin Moloney’s great run and clever flick affording him the space to find Pa White, who ran from the 65 all the way in before burying it 20 metres from goal with less than 40 seconds elapsed.
Perfectly setting the tone for what the first half would offer.
The north Cork side replied with three scores on the bounce as Conor Griffin, Jack Twomey and Bill Collins all pointed from play.
Midleton’s first white flag followed with Luke O’Farrell splitting the posts – but for 45 minutes, Newtown would have a response for everything their east Cork opponents produced.
Replacing the injured Cathal Naughton – Jack Twomey picked up his second point, levelling it a second time.
An outstanding score from play followed by a free from Lehane edged Midleton in front – 1-3 to 0-4 after 11 minutes.
Midleton were unable to break beyond a two point lead – and their opponents had levelled it once again by the 23rd minute, 1-5 to 0-8.
Scores from Lehane and Dave Cremin gave Midleton a two point breath, but once again – Newtown hit back.
After sending over a 65 to leave the minimum in it, Newtown surged forward and Eoin O’Mahony shot for goal.
His strike was blocked but fell straight into the path of Jamie Coughlan, who scooped it into the back of the net from close range. They were in front for the first time, 1-9 to 1-7 after 30 minutes.
They remained in front, 1-10 to 1-8 when the first half came to a close, but Midleton surged ahead on the restart, scoring four without reply.
Jack Twomey’s third score came at a crucial time for Newtown, as he cut the gap to two on 37. They would level it by the 44th minute, but Midleton came to life in the final quarter to finish convincing winners.
C Lehane 0-10 (0-4 f 0-2 65), L O’Farrell 1-4, D Cremin 0-3, P White 1-0, A Mulcahy, R O’Regan, E Moloney 0-1 each.
J Coughlan 1-4 (0-3 f 0-1 65), J Twomey 0-3, R Troy, R Geary (f) 0-2 each, E O’Mahony, C Griffin, B Collins, J Geary 0-1 each.
B Saunderson; S Smyth, L Dineen, C Smyth; S O’Meara, T O’Connell, E Moloney; M Finn, S Quirke; R O’Regan, A Quirke, C Lehane (Cpt); L O’Farrell, P White, D Cremin.
A Mulcahy for Finn (HT), C Beausang for White (55).
J Bowles; M Ryan, P O’Sullivan, C Twomey; B Collins, T O’Mahony (Cpt), K O’Sullivan, R Troy, C O’Brien; E O’Mahony, C Griffin, D O’Connor; J Twomey, J Coughlan, R Geary.
D Hawe for O’Sullivan (17-19 bs), J Geary for J Twomey (29-HT bs), J Geary for E O’Mahony (41), S Griffin for J Twomey, J Lane for C Griffin (both 50), Hawe for O’Sullivan (52).
Shane Scanlon (Newcestown)
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