Beausang goal puts Midleton into final as Barrs rue misses

With the game in the melting point, Cormac Beausang's goal was crucial for the Magpies

Sun, 01 Oct, 2023 - 18:33

John Coleman, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Cork Premier SHC semi-final: Midleton 1-17 St Finbarr’s 0-18

In the end, the clash of the 2021 and 2022 Co-Op Superstores Cork PSHC champions in Páirc Uí Chaoimh boiled down to goal chances. Last year’s champions, St Finbarr’s, had three gilt-edged opportunities across the hour but failed to raise a green flag. Brian Hayes shot wide in the first half, Eoin Moloney incredibly dispossessed Jack Cahalane when a goal seemed inevitable on the verge of half-time, and Brion Saunderson did brilliantly to deny Conor Cahalane after the break.

Then, with the game in the melting point, Midleton trailing by 0-17 to 0-16, and the clock in the red, a long delivery from Conor Lehane, who caught fire as only he can in the second half, was broken by Luke O’Farrell and swept to the net by Cormac Beausang, and the Magpies were all but back into their third decider in six seasons.

Ethan Twomey, who was immense throughout, brought it back to a one-point game from the puckout, but then Saunderson landed a monstrous effort from his own ’45. There was time for one more ball into the Midleton square for the Barrs, but it drifted wide and their reign as champions was at an end.

It was a sweet way to win for the Magpies, who were without the services of Sam Quirke, started without Ross O’Regan and had been idle for four weeks. But they found a way to win, as did their opponents in the final, Sarsfields and when they meet in a fortnight we can only hope that they can serve up a spectacle that is befitting of their talents.

The 30-minute delay as Sarsfields and Imokilly went to extra-time seemed to affect both teams as the opening stages were tepid. When the scores did come, they were of good quality. The Barrs had three of them inside eight minutes with Eoghan Finn, William Buckley and Brian Hayes all on target while Luke O’Farrell opened the Magpies’ account.

Then came the Barrs' opening sight at goal when Hayes shot wide after beating Luke Dineen. Lehane opened his account with a free, but he was struggling to break loose from the grip of Ciarán Doolan. Conor Cahalane and Beasusang then traded scores, Ben Cunningham and Seán O’Leary Hayes did the same and the Togher men led by 0-5 to 0-4 after 20 minutes.

Midleton's Brian Sanderson and Conor Lehane after defeating St Finbarr's in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC semi final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

Things livened up when Beausang overturned his Cork teammate, Conor Cahalane, and when the Barrs man was loose with his effort to return the compliment, he received a yellow card as tempers began to fray.

The city side reacted the better to it as Buckley and Billy Hennessy pushed them three clear. Moloney responded for Midleton before he returned to defensive duties and sensationally denied Cahalane in a moment that will be long referred to should his side go all the way.

The incident also signalled the end of umpire Johny Barry’s afternoon, but Cunningham pointed the resultant ’65, Brian Hayes tapped over his second and the Barrs led by 0-9 to 0-5 at the break.

Then we began to see the best of Conor Lehane. He was faultless as Midleton outscored the Barrs by 0-10 to 0-4 in the 20 minutes after the break. He hit eight of them, and his side were leading by 0-15 to 0-13. Champions die hard though, as the terrible twosome of Buckley and Twomey brought the Barrs back level, and though Mikey Finn put Midleton in front again, two Cunningham frees soon had the Barrs on the edge of victory.

Beausang had other ideas, however, as his side’s search for title number nine continues.

Scorers for Midleton: C Lehane (0-9, 0-2 ‘65s, 0-5 frees), C Beausang (1-1), B Saunderson, E Moloney, S O’Leary Hayes, M Finn, L O’Farrell, R O’Regan and D Cremin (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: B Cunningham (0-6, 0-2 ‘65s, 0-3 frees), W Buckley (0-4), E Twomey, B Hayes and C Cahalane (0-2 each), E Finn and B Hennessy (0-1 each).

MIDLETON: B Saunderson; S O’Sullivan, S O’Leary Hayes, L Dineen; E Moloney, T O’Connell, S Smyth; M Finn, P Haughney; C Beausang, C Lehane (c), P White; P Connaughton, L O’Farrell, D Cremin.

Subs: C Smyth for Dineen (inj, 10), R O’Regan for Connaughton (h/t).

ST FINBARR’S: S Hurley; E Keane, J Burns, C Walsh; E Finn, D Cahalane, B Hennessy (c); E Twomey, W Buckley; C Cahalane, C Doolan, P Buggy; B Hayes, B Cunningham, J Cahalane.

Subs: S Cunningham for Twomey (blood, 35–38).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Nemo Rangers)