Luke O'Farrell and Peter Barrett lead way as Midleton outgun Youghal in Intermediate A quarter-final
Midleton's Peter Barrett takes on Youghal's Fionn Hill. Picture: Howard Crowdy
The depth of talent in Midleton was highlighted after a strong first half saw them coast to an easy win over East Cork rivals Youghal in a tame Co Op Superstores Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final at Dungourney on Friday.
They had a great blend of experience and youth, with veteran Luke O'Farrell blasting 2-2 while 19-year-old Peter Barrett sniped 0-5 from play. With the likes of Luke Dineen, Killian Burke, Paul Haughney and Sam Quirke available, this is a very formidable second team.
With the aid of strong wind, they were quick from the blocks and a superb assist from captain Aaron Mulcahy set up Kian Farmer for their opening goal in the second minute. A second green flag was raised two minutes later when the energetic Cathal Beausang pounced on poor defending.
Youghal were struggling to secure possession but a classy effort from Cian Coleman opened their account in the fifth minute. The Magpies were laying down an early marker though and in former Cork hurler Luke O’Farrell they have an ace. He showed his class when drilling an unstoppable shot to the back of the net in the 11th minute as they surged into an 11-point lead.
Midleton's tendency to give away soft frees kept Youghal within striking distance with James Murray chipping in with six from placed balls in the opening half.
O’Farrell looked lethal at times and once again sloppy defending allowed the talisman in for his second goal with five minutes remaining to the interval.
It was basically over as a contest at the break, given Midleton's 15-point lead, 4-11 to 0-8.
Playing with the aid of a strong wind for the second half, Youghal showed a lot more intensity and with stalwart Bill Cooper moving to the full-forward line they won more possession.
In this period, Midleton's defence had to stand up to a fair bit of pressure but they showed composure and control.
A 42nd-minute penalty executed by the Youghal goalkeeper Oisin Walsh gave the Seasiders a ray of hope.
To be fair, although Midleton only scored four points for the remainder of the game, they were always in cruise control.
Despite putting in a battling display, Youghal never looked like reeling Midleton in. They did raise a second green flag. Walsh grabbed another goal, this time from a 20-metre free that billowed the back of the net.
Next up for Midleton is a semi-final clash against Sars that is likely to test their credentials.
L O’Farrell 2-2, P Barrett 0-5, K Farmer 1-1, C Beausang 1-1, A Mulcahy 0-4 (0-3 f), S Quirke, L Dineen (0-1 each).
J Murray 0-9 (0-7 f), O Walsh 2-0 (1-0 pen, 1-0 f), J Casey 0-2, C Coleman 0-1.
B Rossiter; C Gunning, L Dineen, S Smyth; K Burke, C Cronin, E McCarthy; D Egan, P Haughney; C Beausang, S Quirke, A Mulcahy; L O’Farrell, K Farmer, P Barrett.
D Scanlon for K Farmer (38), E Fraser for S Smyth (48), C Stack for D Egan (50), A Faye for P Barrett (55), J Hogan for E McCarthy (60).
O Walsh; F Hill, B Nicholson, O Terry-Foley; M McCarthy, C Geary, M Power; J Casey, M Breathnach; E Cronin, C Coleman, C O’Mahony; J Murray, A Frahill, O Hill.
J Lenane for C Coleman (35), C Galvin for J Casey (45).
Niall Hayes (Blarney).
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