Aghabullogue into Intermediate A Hurling semi-final with win over Midleton

Aghabullogue 1-18 Midleton 1-12 

A resilient second half from Aghabullogue ensured they booked a semi-final berth in the Co Op Superstores IAHC following a tense but thrilling win over Midleton at Carrig na bhFear on Saturday.

In a game that was competitive to the end, Midleton's inability to score in the closing 11 minutes didn’t help their cause as their opponents found another couple of gears in that period.

Midleton, playing against the wind, had looked the livelier side in the opening exchanges as they were hoping to follow their senior counterparts into the last four. The Mid Cork side took advantage when four consecutive points gave them the perfect start after seven minutes.

Midleton looked threatening going forward and when a Conor Beausang shot was parried, it fell into the path of Adam Daly, who drilled a low shot to the empty net.

Midleton were winning the majority of dirty ball as both sides continued to trade points. Aghabullogue were losing some key battles but did manage to have a golden goal opportunity in the final minute of the first half. Mathew Bradley was hooked as he was about to pull the trigger.

However, points from Sean Furey and Luke Casey ensured they went in at the break 0-10 to 1-6 up.

It only took Midleton 10 seconds on the restart to restore parity, followed by another white flag from Seamus O’Farrell.

Whatever was said in the Aghabullogue dressing room at half-time worked the oracle as they brought far more physicality in the second half. Yet there was little to choose between the teams in the third quarter, which ended all square with Aaraon Mulcahy's shooting important for the Mapgies.

When the game was there to be won, Aghabullogue raised the intensity and when the energetic Shane Tarrant split the posts, they moved three clear.

We then witnessed a goal of sheer class when James Lane rose highest to catch a fabulous ball before showing a great burst of speed and finishing.

Midleton did battle to the wire but that 11-minute drought cost them.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: M Bradley 0-6 (0-4 f), J Lane 1-1, S Tarrant 0-3, J Foley, L Casey, J Corkery 0-2 each, S Furey, O O’Connell 0-1 each.

Midleton: A Mulcahy 0-7 (0-5 f), A Daly 1-0, P Haughney 0-2, C Crowley, S O’Farrell, C Beausang 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: I Barry-Murphy; T Long, C Timmons, T J Buckley; C Gillespie, P Ring, P O’Sullivan; S Furey, O O’Connell; J Foley, J Corkery, S Tarrant; J Lane, M Bradley, L Casey.

Subs: J Buckley for S Furey (48), C Furey for J Corkery (inj 50), M Dennehy for P O’Sullivan (59).

MIDLETON: C Hurley; C Gunning, C Murphy, A Faye; C Burke, C Cronin, P O’Farrell; A Daly, P Haughney; A Mulcahy, S O’Farrell, C Beausang; E Fraser, C Morley, C Crowley.

Subs: A Ryan for C Beausang (38), C Beausang for C Morley (inj 49), L Hennessy for C Gunning (51), C Gunning for A Daly (inj 60).

Referee: Conor Lane (Banteer).