Midleton grab late goal to knock champions out Sars out in Rebel Óg Premier 1 Minor Hurling thriller
Midleton’s Max Murphy is put under pressure by Sars' Adam Dunlea in the Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC game. Picture: Chani Anderson
Thriller at Riverstown with a controversial goal from Midleton substitute Jack Cahill deciding the game of the season in the Cork ETB Premier 1 MHC after a truly marvelous contest.
Sars looked to be heading to the semi-final but a high ball into the square was flicked home by Cahill with the home support calling for a square ball. Credit to the match referee John Horgan, he consulted with his umpires before allowing the goal to stand.
Sars were left to rue a sluggish third quarter that ultimately denied them the all-important win that sees Midleton and Blackrock, the group winners, qualify from the group.
It was evident from the throw-in that both teams were up for battle and Midleton had a goal opportunity as early as the third minute but John O’Sullivan’s shot was off target. They got up and running a minute later with a point from Liam Walsh but Sars responded immediately with a classy Alex Maher white flag.
The hooking and blocking was a treat to witness and when Midleton’s Senan Carroll split the posts in the seventh minute, the sides were level at 0-3 each.
The home side received a blow in the 17th minute when captain Eoin Considine had to go off with a mouth injury that saw him unable to continue. The stakes were raised higher in the second quarter as both teams continued to play high-tempo hurling and a magnificent Tom Huggins point in the 18th minute gave Sars a two-point lead.
Sars after playing with the stiff breeze, went in at the break commanding a three-point lead: 0-10 to 0-7.
On the restart, Sars were quickest into their stride with a point from Dunlea but a nine-minute drought saw Midleton raise five unanswered white flags.
To be fair, all season Sars have had to dig deep and consecutive Huggins points settled them.
Midleton also produced flashes of brilliant hurling and they looked to be in control up to the 56th minute but a stunning Adam Dunlea goal had the home fans in rapture.
Both sides then traded points before the last-gasp goal that broke the hearts of the champions.
A Dunlea 1-7 (0-2 f, 0-1 45), T Huggins 0-3, A Maher, A Leahy 0-2 each, C McMahon 0-1.
L Walsh 0-8 (0-6 f), J Cahill 1-0, S Carroll 0-3, M Murphy, J O’Sullivan 0-2 each, C McCarthy, S O’Mahony (0-1 each).
C McCarthy; S Carey, T O’Flynn, B Murphy; D Crowley, E Considine, D Pomperoy; A Leahy, S Sheehan; A Maher, A Dunela, C McMahon; T Huggins, C Galvin, C Long.
O Hurley for E Considine (inj 17), T Hurley for A Maher (42).
W Stokes; P Egan, B Dunlea, J Morley; M Murphy, S Carroll, R McCormack; A Molomby, F Cahill; L Walsh, C Kelly, C McCarthy; R Nolan, C O’Brien, J O’Sullivan.
J Cahill for C McCarthy (25), A O’Mahony for C O’Brien (53).
John Horgan (Gleann na Laoi).
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