Midleton move on as Russell Rovers win but still miss out on IAHC quarter-final place
Russell Rovers' Ciaran Sheehan is held by Midleton's Adam Faye, during their Intermediate A HC clash at Castlemartyr. Picture: David Keane.
Russell Rovers' championship journey came to an abrupt end despite a thrilling victory over Midleton's second team at Castlemartyr in the Co-Op Superstores IAHC.
The stakes were high for Russell Rovers as they entered the final matchday, knowing they had to defeat Midleton's second team by four points to progress to the knockout round. A two-point win wasn't sufficient to see them progress.
Midleton's second team got off to a blistering start, Eoghan Fraser's early goal, a power dive into the bottom corner of the net, gave Midleton an early lead. However, Fraser's second effort on goal just three minutes in was spectacularly saved by Russell Rovers' goalkeeper Ross Walsh.
Paul Haughney converted the resulting 65 to put Russell Rovers under pressure, 1-1 to 0-0 after three minutes.
However, Russell Rovers soon found their footing, with Josh Beausang getting their scoring underway from a free.
The sides were level by the seventh minute, with Ciaran Sheehan, Beausang, and Fintan Murray combining to reel in Midleton's early advantage 1-1 to 0-4. Haughney replied and Midleton were back in front with Aaron Mulcahy extending the lead to two.
Both sides then went point for point 1-4 to 0-5 after 11 minutes. Then it was Russell Rovers' turn to raise a green flag when Brian Hartnett finished to the net.
However, Midleton responded well, and the sides were closely matched at halftime, with Russell Rovers holding a four-point lead: 1-11 to 1-7.
Within three minutes of the restart, a four-point deficit for the Magpies was now a one-point lead, 2-9 to 1-11.
Beausang's reply on the 37th minute had the sides level once again.
But Midleton hit back with a Mulcahy brace 2-11 to 1-12. Beausang's deadly accuracy from placed balls was paying off his two quick-fire free had the sides level again, 2-11 to 1-14, with 15 to play.
The last quarter was frantic and while Beausang's goal sealed the win, it wasn't enough to progress.
J Beausang 1-11 (0-9 f), B Hartnett 1-3, L Duggan 0-2, F Murray, C Sheehan 0-1 each.
A Mulcahy 0-8 (0-6 f), E Fraser, C Morley 1-0 each, C Crowley 0-3, P Haughney 0-2 (0-1 65), C Beausang, K Burke, E McGrath 0-1 each.
R Walsh, P Lane, E O'Sullivan, K O'Brien, F Murray, K Ahern, K Tattan, L Duggan, K Walsh, M O'Dwyer, D Crotty, J McGrath, B Hartnett, C Sheehan, J Beausang.
C Hurley, C Gunning, A Faye, T Dunlea, K Burke, C Cronin, S O'Sullivan, A Daly, P Haughney, A Mulcahy, E McGrath, C Beausang, E Fraser, C Morley, C Crowley.
S O'Farell for E Fraser.
Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).
App?
