Hurling League Division 1: Brion Saunderson the hero as Midleton edge out St Finbarr's in a thriller
Midleton's Paul Conoughton seeks support as the Barrs' Eoin Keane closes in. Pic by Noel Sweeney
Goalkeeper Brion Saunderson was the Midleton match-winner as his late penalty goal gave them victory over St Finbarr’s on Sunday afternoon.
While the home side led for much of the clash at Clonmult Memorial Park, goals had kept St Finbarr’s in it throughout. They had the lead for the first time on 53 minutes when Billy Hennessy’s superb pass allowed sub David Murray to make it 2-14 to 0-19 – however, Midleton responded to that and almost had a goal after loose Barrs defensive play but Shane Hurley made a marvellous stop from Alex Quirke’s shot.
The home side led again by the 56th minute as one of their replacements, Cian Stack, made it 0-22 to 2-15 on 56 but back the Barrs came.
The influential Damien Cahalane and Cian Walsh worked the ball to Cahalane’s brother Jack – he showed some lovely skill to create space before firing past Saunderson to bring his personal tally to 2-2.
While Mideton midfielder Killian McDermott cut the gap to a point with his fourth of the day, the Barrs looked to have done enough as the impressive Seán Daly set up Sam Cunningham for a point before they reversed roles moments later – 3-17 to 0-23 as the clock reached 60.
Midleton had a point from Aaron Mulcahy and then, with a goal needed, Mulcahy set up sub Evan McCarthy for a driven effort, well-blocked by Damien Cahalane.
Play was called back for a free just outside the 20m line, though, and when Cork panellist Saunderson came forward, he made no mistake.
The result leaves the Magpies with two wins from two, but the Barrs can still take positives despite the result. They will rue the opening stages when Midleton made far more of the running, while Tadhg O’Leary Hayes was excellent at full-back. Even then, a lovely Conor McCarthy goal after he forced a turnover allowed the city side to make a dent in the deficit.
Jack Cahalane’s fine point on 21 minutes left them just a point behind, 0-7 to 1-2, before a good Midleton run of scores as McDermott, Alex Quirke, Ross O’Regan and the metronomic Mikey Finn all registered. Two Ben Cunningham points – either side of a good Shane Hurley save from Paul Connaughton at the other end – left the Barrs within a score at half-time.
Within three minute of the restart, the Barrs had levelled as Jack Cahalane capitalised on a defensive mix-up and fired home to make it 0-12 to 2-6.
Midleton, for whom Barrett made an impact after his half-time introduction, kept their noses ahead, but they did need a fine Saunderson save to deny Cahalane on 43, when the hosts were one ahead.
McDermott’s third doubled the advantage but Walsh and Ben Cunningham brought the Barrs level and, while Cormac Walsh made it 0-19 to 2-12 for Midleton, Cunningham’s fifth point levelled before Murray gave them that first lead.
Seven minutes of normal time remained at that stage but there was still a lot more hurling to be played and Midleton emerged victorious thanks to Saunderson’s late intervention.
M Finn 0-6 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), K McDermott 0-4, P Barrett 0-3, B Saunderson 1-0 f, A Mulcahy, C Stack, C Walsh, R O’Regan 0-2 each, A Quirke, P Connaughton, P White 0-1 each.
J Cahalane 2-2, B Cuningham 0-6 (0-5 f), C McCarthy 1-1, S Daly, J O’Kelly 0-2 each, B O’Connell, C Walsh, D Murray, S Cunningham 0-1 each.
B Saunderson; A Fay, T O’Leary Hayes, Luke Dineen; E McGrath, K Burke, C Walsh; K McDermott, M Finn; A Mulcahy, A Quirke, R O’Regan; D Cremin, P White, P Connaughton.
S O’Sullivan for Burke (12-15), P Barrett for Connaughton (half-time), C Stack for Cremin (38), E McCarthy for McGrath (45, injured), O’Sullivan for Burke (51), C Morley for White (56).
S Hurley; E Keane, J Burns, A Barry; B Hennessy, D Cahalane, C Walsh; S Daly, B O’Connell; B Cunningham, J Cahalane, J O’Kelly; C McCarthy, J Wigginton Barrett, S Cunningham.
D Murray for S Cunningham (24, injured), J Murray for O’Kelly (50).
C Walsh (Nemo Rangers).
App?
