Late points give Midleton the edge

Midleton 0-12 Blackrock 0-10

Unlucky the previous week, this replay seemed the perfect backdrop for Blackrock to complete the job. But the Magpies beat them at their own game, matching the Rockies physically before securing a deserved victory with late points by the magnificent Mickey O’Connell and John Keane.

On a dreadful night for hurling, the 1,500 people in attendance were treated to a marvellous contest played with gusto and attacking intent.

Aided by the driving wind and rain Midleton were going to need a sizeable half-time lead to have any chance of victory. They started the stronger with O’Connell showing marvellous accuracy from placed balls to put his side 0-4 to 0-1 in front after 15 minutes.

Despite their outfield dominance, thanks to the brilliance of Peter Smith, Aidan Ryan and Dara Cott, the scores were slow in coming principally due to a weakness in attack and an excellent Blackrock defence where Fergal Ryan and Wayne Sherlock were unbeatable.

The Blackrock attack showed a decided weakness also with only Colin O’Leary having the hurling and the strength to score. His three points in that opening half meant Midleton’s half-time lead of five was far from insurmountable as the city club turned to play with the elements.

Midleton did create the game’s only chance of a first-half goal when John Keane put Sean Hennessy through, but the sliothar skidded off the greasy surface out wide before Hennessy could get in his strike.

Despite playing into the wind and rain Midleton continued to dictate matters on the change-over and Hennessy again missed a goal chance. However, despite losing Ciarán Connery with a groin injury, Blackrock upped the ante and, as Chris Murphy thundered into the game at centre-back, they threw the issue wide open with three points in a row, two from the impressive Colin O’Leary, to leave just the minimum between the teams after 42 minutes.

Midleton were hanging on as the Rockies came in search of an equaliser. Amid tremendous excitement David Cashman levelled the game with a splendid point and Blackrock were hurling well enough to book their place in the last eight.

However, Midleton displayed marvellous resilience and were back in front again by the three quarter stage after O’Connell pointed a 65. Blackrock then hit three wides in a row and it was to prove costly despite the fact that Adrian Coughlan did point a free to level this exciting contest for a third time with five minutes remaining.

Extra-time was beckoning, but Midleton weren’t having any of it. In those hectic closing minutes O’Connell and John Keane edged the East Cork side two points clear.

In an effort to save the game John Browne came forward and set up Colin O’Leary for a goal chance but O’Leary kicked the sliothar harmlessly wide and Midleton were through to meet their East Cork rivals Cloyne in a mouth-watering quarter-final tie.

There were many heroes on this youthful Midleton team, but the performances of Alan Cahill, Alwyn Kearney, Paul Barry, Aidan Ryan, Aonghus Cotter and the vastly experienced Micky O’Connell were fully deserving of the rapturous greeting they received from their supporters at the final whistle.

Scorers for Midleton: M. O’Connell 0-7 (0-6 frees, 0-1 65); A. Cotter 0-2; S. Hennessy, D. Cott, J. Keane 0-1 each.

Blackrock: C. O’Leary 0-5; A. Coughlan 0-3 (frees); B. O’Keeffe, D. Cashman 0-1 each.

MIDLETON: G. Manley; P. Smith, A. Cahill, A. Kearney; P. Barry, A. Ryan, K. Ryan; D. Hogan, D. Cott; M. O’Connell, S. Corcoran, A. Cotter; S. Hennessy, D. Ryan, J. Keane.

Subs: C. Hurley for Corcoran; J. Moynihan for Hogan; T. Abernethy for Cott; O. Cotter for Hennessy.

BLACKROCK: F. Barry; TJ Coughlan, J. Browne, F. Ryan; W. Sherlock, C. Murphy, S. Murphy; C. Connery, A. Coughlan; J. Young, D. Cashman, C. O’Leary; B. O’Keeffe, A. Browne, B. Hennebry.

Subs: G. Cleary for Murphy; D. Gosnell for Hennebry; R. Curtin for Connery; D. Coughlan for Young.

Referee: D. Kirwan (Éire Óg).