Midleton boss Pádraig O'Shea: 'Our lads deserved the win for the way they stuck at it'

Midleton manager Pádraig O’Shea praised the character and resilience of his players after they dug out a dramatic 1-18 to 1-17 victory over Newcestown at the weekend.

This Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC Group 3 clash at Páirc Uí Rinn looked like it was heading for a draw for the second year running, but David Cremin held his nerve to point the winner — a result that puts the Imokilly side in a strong position heading into their final group game against Bride Rovers. 

The Magpies sit on four points, with Bride Rovers and St Finbarr’s two behind. Newcestown are on zero.

Speaking afterwards, O’Shea said they had braced themselves for exactly the type of battle Newcestown delivered.

“We knew exactly what we were walking into today,” he said. 

“They gave us a lesson last year in terms of hard work and playing into a system and being disciplined. They did the exact same thing again — they put us under savage pressure to get a result.

“Maybe a draw was the fair result. But I thought our lads deserved the win, to be honest, for the way they stuck at it and stayed patient.” 

The Midleton boss admitted the performance wasn’t perfect, but the response was. They had been excellent in the opening round in the eight-point triumph over the Barrs.

“Maybe we didn’t have our best day in certain terms,” O’Shea admitted. 

“But to get a win out of it was huge for the group. It was a funny kind of game. We couldn’t get into a bit of a rhythm, and then they couldn’t miss. 

"They were getting fierce momentum out of every score, every little burst of energy. We couldn’t seem to get that momentum ourselves.

“You’re thinking maybe we’re not playing great, but we were creating the chances. It was just one of those days where it wouldn’t work for us.

“We won’t get too bogged down over it. We are disappointed over certain aspects, but overall, we worked hard, the boys stuck at it and the lads were patient. On another day, those wides would have gone over the bar and it would be a different story.” 

Midleton were heavy favourites coming into the game, but an upset looked on the cards — especially when Eoghan Collins pointed to push Newcestown three clear in the closing stages.

But the impact of the bench, including Cormac Beausang, and Ross O’Regan’s goal helped swing the tide.

“Absolutely. Ross O’Regan’s goal was a great finish. He’s the kind of fella that just works his socks off every single day. He’s our vice-captain for a reason. He leads by example, so delighted for him. The ball went in, he caught it and stuck it.

“That did give us a bit of belief. Newcestown still didn’t stop coming at us. You said it was a good game a while ago — on the line it didn’t feel great — but it probably was a decent game. It was tight the whole way through.

“Both teams were going for it and we’re just delighted to have come out the right side of it.”