Midleton minor hurlers hold their nerve to see off Carrigtwohill challenge
Carrigtwohill's Cillian Galvin tries to get away from Midleton's Max Murphy and Ciaran Kelly during their Premier 1 MHC clash in Midleton. Picture: David Keane.
After a nervy battle, it was Charlie McCarthy’s third-quarter goal that ultimately dragged Midleton over the line, as they got the better of East Cork rivals Carrigtwohill in their Cork ETB Premier 1 Minor Hurling Championship opener on Wednesday evening.
The Magpies had come from behind after trailing 1-5 to 0-2 after eight minutes, and led by two at the break. They were three in front heading into the final quarter when Ciarán Kelly set up John O’Sullivan for an outstanding point, but the Carrig challenge simply would not go away.
And when Carrig midfielder Tom Walsh cut the deficit to two with 48 minutes gone, Midleton immediately hit back with the all-important green flag. From the restart, Charlie McCarthy gathered possession, unleashed a strike that slammed into the far corner. He wheeled away with a finger in the air, and with the hosts now five clear, Carrig needed a response.
And it only took them three minutes to find one.
Substitute James Nolan teed up Sam Ring with a clever pass, and the Cork minor blasted to the net, 1-17 to 2-12.
But, the Magpies would be assured in the final stages, Scott Dunlea and Liam Walsh’s white flags the icing, before O’Sullivan put the cherry on top with his fifth and final point from play after McCarthy’s assist.
It increased Midleton’s lead to five once more, and Carrig would have no answer this time.
The visitors feel especially frustrated after the goal chances they had created in the second half. First, in the 38th minute, Finn Barrett, John O’Connor and Darragh Horgan worked it to Ring but Midleton closed the space, forcing it out for a 65, which Ring struck over.
In the 44th minute, a clever overhead handpass from Walsh sent Ring away, and he passed to John O’Connor, who was fouled for a free before finding the space to shoot. Ring pointed to leave the margin at one point, but they wouldn’t be able to retake the advantage.
They had started so well in the first half. Ring and Walsh shared the points, before Walsh finished the first major to put them six clear after seven minutes, but they would not score from play again in the first half.
Slowly Midleton chipped away at the lead, eventually reclaiming the advantage in the 28th minute.
Six points unanswered from the 10th to 23rd minutes restored parity, Walsh clipping two frees while Alex Molumby, Alfie Hennessy, Max Murphy and O’Sullivan added efforts from play.
When Molumby – who was excellent throughout – notched his second point in the 27th minute the sides were level again, but the Magpies landed the next two scores to lead at the break.
Jarlath Cullimore impressed in the second half for Carrig while Ring and Walsh led the line, but the introduction of Minor All-Ireland football winner Riain McCormack had a huge impact for Midleton in defence, and they held out for a crucial two points.
J O’Sullivan 0-5, C McCarthy 1-1, L Walsh 0-4 (0-3 f), A Hennessy 0-3, A Molumby, C Kelly 0-2 each, S Dunlea, S O’Mahony, M Murphy 0-1 each.
S Ring 1-7 (0-4 f, 0-2 65), T Walsh 1-4, C Galvin 0-1.
W Stokes, P Egan, B Dunlea, J Morley; C Hogan, S Carroll, S Dunlea; A Molumby, A Hennessy; L Walsh, C Kelly, C McCarthy; M Murphy, J O’Sullivan, C O’Brien.
S O’Mahony for Hogan (HT), R McCormack for Morley (36).
A Lee; K Kidney, C Cashell, F Barrett; C Rooney, C Seymour, J Flanagan; T Walsh, J Cullimore; C Galvin, S Ring, P Ahern; B Fitzgerald, J O’Connor, D Horgan.
S Dolan for Fitzgerald (HT), J Nolan for Galvin (50), S O’Donovan for Horgan (55), M Foley for O’Connor (60).
S Stokes (Tullylease)
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