Hennessy points Midleton to next phase

Midleton CBS 0-10 Waterford Colleges 0-7

But with a far greater hunger for victory, Midleton CBS booked their place in the quarter-finals.

After successive defeats by Cashel and then Coláiste Chríost Rí in the O'Callaghan Cup, Midleton had a bit of soul searching to do. But thanks to the masterful Paudie O'Sullivan and James O'Mahoney in defence, the hard work at midfield by Paudie Wall, who scored two fine points from play, and the accuracy of Sean Hennessy from frees, they just about deserved their victory over a Waterford side that missed far too many chances in a game where scores were always going to be at a premium.

Waterford Colleges, playing with the strong breeze, got the better start, and opened up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after the opening nine minutes. Full-forward Brendan Bennett found his range from frees and JJ Coffey supplied a point from play, with Wall replying for Midleton.

With John Morrissey outstanding at full-back and Brian Phelan hurling well at midfield, Waterford looked comfortable but two more frees from Hennessy ensured the scores were level after the opening quarter at 0-3 apiece. With the College combination continuing to miss scoring opportunities, Midleton kept their composure and, thanks to the trojan work of centre-back O'Sullivan, Midleton led 0-5 to 0-4 at the break, Robert White and Hennessy with another free on target.

Midleton had a great start to the second-half as Hennessy, with his fourth free, and Wall, with an absolute gem of a point, quickly stretched the Cork side's lead to three.

It was up to Waterford to stand up and be counted. And they did so as Richie Foley, at midfield running the show, a cracking point from Padraig Kearney, then Foley himself followed by Wayne Flynn changed the complexion of the game and it was 0-7 apiece entering the final quarter.

Now it was down to who wanted it most. But there was hunger and pride about Midleton's play and, driven on by O'Sullivan and three converted frees by Hennessy, who at long last began to show his hurling skills, they ensured passage to the knockout stages.

Scorers: Midleton; S. Hennessy 0-7 (all frees), P. Wall 0-2, R. White 0-1. Waterford Colleges; B. Bennett 0-3 (all frees), JJ Coffey, P. Kearney, R. Foley, W. Flynn 0-1 each.

MIDLETON CBS: C. Cronin, C. Fogarty, C. Leahy, A. Kearney, J. O'Mahoney, P. O'Sullivan, L. Day, P. Wall, J. Ahern, E. O'Keeffe, S. Hennessy, A. Morrissey, B. Lawton, J. Walsh, R. White. Sub. E. Ahern for Walsh.

WATERFORD COLLEGES: S. Enright, C. O'Keeffe, J. Morrissey, JJ Devine, K. Manahan, M. Colman, P. Horkan, P. Kearney, B. Phelan, K. Power, R. Foley, P. Murray, W. Flynn, B. Bennett, JJ Coffey. Sub. C. O'Gorman for Coffey.

Referee: D. Fleming (Blackrock).