Dogged Duhallow end Midleton’s reign

Duhallow 1-13 Midleton 1-12

A second half goal from Midleton’s Patrick White — which cancelled out a Duhallow three pointer from Michael Vaughan — looked to have set the holders up for victory until the divisional side’s talisman, Kieran Sheahan edged his side into the decider with an exhibition of clinical free taking. Sheahan’s nine points from placed balls helped his side lead at the break (0-9 to 0-7) and was crucial in deciding the outcome.

Duhallow may have depended heavily on Sheehan for their scores but players such as Meelin’s T.J Brosnan and Kilbrin’s Patrick Egan also played vital roles in what was a well deserved victory on the night.

Scorers for Duhallow: K Sheahan 0-9 (all frees); M Vaughan 1-1; P Egan, M Healy, S O’Reilly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Midleton: C Lehane 0-6 (two free), C Walsh 0-3 (one sixty five. one free), P White 1-0, P Haughney 0-2, N Madden 0-1

DUHALLOW: D Kearney (Kanturk); S Walsh (Kanturk), M O’Riordan (Kilbrin), K Tarrant (Banteer); T.J.Brosnan (Meelin), B O’Sullivan (Meelin), D Sheahan (Kilbrin); P Egan (Kilbrin), D McAulliffe (Banteer); T O’Reilly (Kilbrin), K Sheahan (Kilbrin), M Healy (Kanturk); A O’Flynn (Freemount), M Vaughan (Millstreet), S O’Reilly (Kilbrin).

Subs: D Hannon (Newmarket) for T O’Reilly (56), D McCaul (Millstreet) for S Walsh (58).

MIDLETON: T Wallace; P O’Farrell, P O’Mahony, N O’Regan; E Mulcahy, K Burke, L Coughlan; C Walsh, P Nagle; N Madden, I Kennefick, C Lehane; B O’Sullivan, P Haughney, P White. Subs: M Abernetty for N Madden (29), S Moore for P Nagle (half time).

Referee: J Larkin (Douglas).