Young Midleton starlets impressing as they step up to senior level

Finalists in the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC in two of the past three years and beaten semi-finalists in the season in between, Midleton are at the forefront of the chasing pack.

And, while the Magpies are dealing with injuries to some key men at the moment, they are in the welcome position of having players from the 2024 county U21-winning side and last year’s beaten finalists to step up.

On Sunday, a youthful team edged St Finbarr’s in a home RedFM Hurling League clash, goalkeeper Brion Saunderson firing an injury-time goal from a free for a 1-24 to 3-17 triumph.

Pádraig O’Shea, who has graduated from the U21 set-up to senior manager, has been impressed with how the newer players have stepped up.

“We were actually just talking about it,” he said, “between Stacky [Cian Stack] and [Peter] Barrett, I think they came on and contributed five or six points between them off the bench.

“So, it's good for them to come on and contribute, it's good for the group to see them come around and contribute, so it's good, very positive.

“Conor Morley came on, played well, Adam Fay started, played the full game Friday night with the intermediates and played the full game again today, almost faultless in both games.

“It’s fantastic to see the lads from those U21 teams starting to come through.”

Among those absent at present are Conor Lehane, Eoin Moloney, Ciarmhac and Seanaidh Smyth, Luke O’Farrell and Paul Haughney, but that allows others to step up.

“Obviously, they are big losses, but we have plenty of leaders within the group,” O’Shea said.

“You see Mikey Finn, Killian McDermott, the lads with a bit of experience, Cormac Walsh – they really stood up fill that gap that Conor leaves.

The mixture of those lads with the experience, along with a bit of enthusiasm from the young fellas, they're dealing nicely at the moment.

“We've lots of injuries, but I suppose those injuries are giving us a chance to see other players, and it's positive so far.”

SETTING STANDARDS

With an opening win over Fr O’Neill’s and then beating the Barrs, they have adjusted well to life back in the top flight, serving as the ideal tee-up for championship.

“I said it last week as well,” O’Shea said, “there's nothing between any of the teams, so every league game that you play, whether you're in Division 1 or 2, it's always a tightly contested game.

“Obviously in Division 1, you're just up against teams that standard above, so we're delighted just to be back mixing with them and to have them in just a couple of games is just a bonus, to be honest.”