Minor hurling: Michael Quill's late levellers give Blackrock draw with Midleton in Premier 1 final

Midleton 2-17 Blackrock 1-20

Michael Quill’s late equalisers for Blackrock means that they must meet Midleton again to determine the destination of the Cork ETB Rebel Óg U18 Premier 1 HC title.

At Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night, a good start to the second half saw the Rockies wipe out a deficit that had grown to five points as half-time approached – then, after Shane O’Mahony’s goal put Midleton back in front, parity was regained in the closing stages.

Ciarán Kelly put Midleton in front only for Quill to level with his second and he did likewise after the ever-lively John O’Sullivan had responded.

After O’Mahony fizzed a goal effort wide, Senan Carroll’s point gave the Magpies the lead again but Quill was on hand to tie the match once more and great defending from Jack Browne and Patrick McCarthy ensured Blackrock would not concede again, meaning a replay will be required.

While Blackrock had moved into an early 0-6 to 0-3 lead, Midleton gave notice of their attacking capabilities as John O’Sullivan did superbly to create space for himself by the endline before handpassing across for Shane O’Mahony, forcing Blackrock goalkeeper Cian Coakley off his line for a brace save.

That was followed by four points on the trot for the Magpies, with centre-back Max Murphy sending over a free from his own 65 to put them 0-7 to 0-6 in front before a goal arrived on 17.

Alfie Hennessy was the goalscorer after a smart run and finish but the creation of the chance owed much to a delightful pickup by captain Carroll, giving him a yard of space before finding the Cork minor midfielder’s run.

It looked as if that strike would give Midleton a cushion going in at half-time as they matched Blackrock’s points for the remainder of the half, O’Sullivan with a beauty while impressive full-back Braden Dunlea got in on the scoring action too.

A free from Liam Walsh gave them a 1-11 to 0-9 advantage going into injury time but Blackrock produced a big moment in injury time. Centre-back Dylan Norberg’s searching delivery was touched down perfectly by Jack Punch for Rowan Moran to latch on to the loose ball before crashing a shot to the top corner.

The Rockies took the bounce from that goal into the opening exchanges of the second half, with Kevin Long landing a fine point on the resumption and Shane O’Shaughnessy scoring one and setting up another for Moran as they drew level, with Murphy’s long-range free the only Midleton response in the opening 12 minutes.

When they rediscovered their touch it was through a great catch and finish to the net by Shane O’Mahony for a 2-12 to 1-12 lead, but Blackrock did not let it become a debilitating blow. O’Shaughnessy and Quill led the charge as they scored five of the next seven points, though in the midst of that run they did need corner-back Liam Mackessy to produce a marvellous goal-line clearance to deny O’Mahony another green flag.

Sub Conor O’Neill had them level again, 1-17 to 2-14, with 12 minutes left and, while Midleton led on three more occasions, the Rockies were able to reply each time.

Scorers for Midleton: S O’Mahony 1-2, S Carroll, C Kelly, J O’Sullivan 0-3 each, A Hennessy 1-0, M Murphy, L Walsh 0-2 f each, A Molumby, B Dunlea 0-1 each.

Blackrock: M Quill 0-9 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), S O’Shaughnessy 0-5, R Moran 1-2, K Long, 0-2, C O’Neill, L Cummins 0-1 each.

MIDLETON: W Stokes; P Egan, B Dunlea, R McCormack; F Cahill, M Murphy, S Dunlea; A Hennessy, A Molumby; C Kelly, S Carroll, C McCarthy; L Walsh, S O’Mahony, J O’Sullivan.

Subs: J Cahill for McCarthy (57).

BLACKROCK: C Coakley; L Mackessy, S Ó Sé, J Browne; O Walsh, D Norberg, P McCarthy; A Hurley, K Long; S O’Shaughnessy, M Quill, C Stack; R Moran, L Cummins, J Punch.

Subs: C O’Neill for Hurley (41), A Browne for Punch (44), R O’Neill for Cummins (57), F O’Keeffe for J Browne (60+1).

Referee: W King (Banteer).