Dean Ryan Cup: Midleton CBS in great form as they see off Gaelcholáiste Mhuire

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024 - 14:00

Denis Hurley

Midleton CBS 5-15

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 1-11

Midleton CBS led from trap to line as they claimed the TUS Dean Ryan Cup for the first time in a decade with victory over Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday afternoon.

A pair of early goals gave the east Cork school a firm grip on proceedings and two more in quick succession coming up to half-time ensured that they enjoyed a 4-9 to 0-5 interval lead.

Midleton CBS playere celebrate after the win. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

With Cork minor Colm Garde excellent at centre-back and Sam Ring weighing in with 1-6, Midleton had quality all over the field and kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half.

The victors took control early, with corner-back Darragh Heavin and half-backs Garde (free) and Senan Carroll among the points as they moved 0-4 to 0-1 in front before a pair of quick goals solidified their advantage.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire's Craig Ó Súilleabháin clears from Midleton CBS's Rian O'Connell. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

First, Evan Connolly weaved his way through the AG cover and kept his composure to fire home a well-struck shot in the tenth minute. Then, not long after, Shane Murtagh’s delivery caused confusion in the city school’s goalmouth and Dean Murphy reacted well amid a scramble to prod the ball over the line.

When Carroll followed up with his second point, the lead was 2-5 to 0-1 but Gaelcholáiste Mhuire produced a revival. Two points from Craig Ó Súilleabháin were allied to scores from Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin (free) and Callum Ó Cofaigh as they clawed their way back to within six points but the concession of a cheap scoreable free punctured their momentum.

Sam Ring converted that and Garde landed another from distance for Midleton. While there was some wastefulness with their shooting, they eased ten clear after another Ring free and a Cormac Deane point that might have been a goal but for a good save by Seán Mac Cárthaigh Mac Héil in the AG goal.

The Cork minor – son of Joe – didn’t have long to wait though as he found the net in the 30th minute after effecting a good turnover and there was time for Midleton to find the net again before half-time, Murphy on target again.

The vocal Midleton CBS supporters. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A 16-point half-time was never in danger of being overturned and Midleton added a fifth goal on 37 minutes as Tom A Walsh’s delivery was well-won by Ring before he slotted home.

The AG did almost have a goal in reply, Ó Súilleabháin’s shot whistling over after a good run, and while Ó Ceallacháin did convert a pair of free, they still trailed by the same as they did at the break with just under a quarter of the game remaining.

Midleton CBS supporters join players Tom A. Walsh and Sam Ring in celebrations. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

They were given some hope as Callum Ó Cofaigh and Ó Súilleabháin combined for Ó Ceallacháin to find the net but Midleton never allowed them to come closer, with Evan Connolly and Shane O’Mahony on target as they saw out the game well.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: S Ring 1-5 (0-5f), D Murphy 2-1, C Deane 1-1, C Garde 0-3 (0-2f), E Connolly 1-0, S Carroll 0-2, D Heavin, E Connolly, S O’Mahony 0-1 each.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: G Ó Ceallacháin 1-7 (0-7f), C Ó Súilleabháín 0-3, C Ó Cofaigh 0-1.

MIDLETON CBS: T C Walsh (Aghada); D Heavin (St Colman’s), D Guiney (Lisgoold), R O’Connell (Fr O’Neill’s); C Rooney (Carrigtwohill), C Garde (Lisgoold, J-Capt), S Carroll (Midleton); J Cullimore (Carrigtwohill), C Deane (Killeagh); S Murtagh (St Colman’s, J-Capt), D Mulcahy (Erin’s Own), E Connolly (Kiltha Óg); D Murphy (Lisgoold), T A Walsh (Carrigtwohill), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

Subs: C Seymour (Carrigtwohill) for Rooney (42), B Geary (Killeagh) for Mulcahy (49), S O’Mahony (Midleton) for Cullimore (57), F Connaughton (Kiltha Óg) for Guiney, B Cooney (Kiltha Óg) for Walsh (both 60).

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: Mac Cárthaigh Mac Héil (Glen Rovers); R Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), N Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Laocha (St Vincent’s); J Ó Conchúir (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Caoinleáin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Criagáin (Na Piarsaigh); J Ó Brosnacháin (Glen Rovers), S Ó Néill (Na Piarsaigh); E Mac Eocháin (Glen Rovers), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh), G Ó Ceallacháin (Glen Rovers); R Ó Buachalla (Glen Rovers), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: A Ó Murchú (St Vincent’s) for Ó Néill (half-time), N Ó Dálaigh (Whitechurch) for Ó Criagáin (58).

Referee: J Bugler (Clare).