Majestic O’Sullivan the inspiration for Midleton

Midleton CBS 2-13 Our Lady’s, Templemore 2-8

O’Sullivan was outstanding at centre-back as Midleton withstood a mighty challenge from Our Lady’s in a keenly contested clash.

With both defences on top, scores were at a premium early on.

With O’Sullivan and Templemore’s Noel McGrath excelling, the sides were level on four occasions before the outstanding Templemore centre-back, with a long-range point from a free, edged Our Lady’s to a 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead.

But on the resumption, the forwards rediscovered their range, finding the net twice after Midleton had opened up a three-point lead, sparked by the free-taking exploits of O’Sullivan.

Our Lady’s had the game back in the melting pot in the 37th minute when left corner-forward Cathal Scully set up full-forward Joe Lupton for a gift of a goal, which levelled the game for the fifth time at 1-5 to 0-8.

O’Sullivan, with his third point from frees, gave Midleton a slight advantage again but two minutes later Our Lady’s were back in front when corner-forward Scully dispossessed goalkeeper Ciaran Cronin before first-timing into an empty net.

But O’Sullivan was at the peak of his powers, and Midleton fought their way back and a great opportunist goal from Robert White powered them back in front entering the closing quarter.

Templemore’s captain Gearoid Ryan pointed a free to level matters for the sixth time in the 45th minute.

However, two splendid points from play by midfielder John Keane and the peerless O’Sullivan turned the tide in Midleton’s favour.

Midleton forward Finbarr Day flicked home a goal following a goalmouth scramble in the 48th minute to open up a four-point gap, but Templemore continued to battle.

The wind was finally knocked out of their sails when Robert White increased Midleton’s lead to five points two minutes from time.

Midleton now meet Thurles CBS on Sunday, February 12.

Scorers: Midleton CBS: R. White 1-3; F. Day 1-1; P. O’Sullivan 0-5 (0-4f); B. Lawton 0-2; D. Aherne and J. Keane 0-1 each. Our Lady’s: J. Lupton 1-0; C. Scully 1-0; G. Ryan 0-4 (0-3f); N. McGrath 0-3 (0-2f; 0-1 65); S. Bourke 0-1.

MIDLETON CBS: C. Cronin; A. Walsh, A. Kearney, S. Donnelly; S. Murphy, P. O’Sullivan, P. O’Shea; C. Fogarty, J. Keane; B. Lawton, R. White, E. Walsh; D. Aherne, E. O’Keeffe, F. Day. Subs: P. Haughney for Walsh; L. O’Farrell for Aherne; K. Mulcahy for Day; J. O’Donnell for Donnelly (knee injury).

OUR LADY’S: K. Johnston; D. Creed, M. Doyle, M. McGrath; S. Purcell, N. McGrath, J. Campion; S. Bourke, G. Ryan; W. Donnelly, J. Ryan, D. Burke; S. Hennessy, J. Lupton, C. Scully. Sub: S. McCormack for Hennessy.

Referee: M. Meade (Ballylanders).