Midleton win first Cork U21A hurling title in 11 year after epic extra-time battle with the Barrs

The teams finished 0-16 each at the end of regulation time. 

Pat Horgan, Chairperson Cork GAA, presents the cup to Alex Quirke, Midleton. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Cork U21A Hurling Championship final: Midleton 1-20 St Finbarr’s 0-18 AET 

Midleton are the Co-Op Superstores Cork U21A hurling champions for the first time since 2013 following an epic contest that was decided after extra-time in Páirc Uí Rinn on Wednesday night.

The teams finished 0-16 each at the end of regulation, it was 0-8 each at half-time, which gives an accurate indication of how competitive this contest was, despite an overall wides tally of Midleton 22, St Finbarr’s 16.

The east Cork club eventually saw it out with a 82nd minute goal from Peter Barrett the icing on the cake.

St Finbarr’s, seeking a first title in 30 years, were reduced to 14 players for extra-time after Thomas Egan received a second yellow at the end of regulation.

Midleton have yet to play their divisional final against Bride Rovers, which is due to take place on Sunday. They need to win this to hold on to the Dick Barrett Cup.

This match started as it meant to go on.

An opening minute point from William Buckley and one from Eoghan Hallahan built up a two point lead for St Finbarr’s.

Mikey Finn started the Midleton scoring with a monster free from inside his own half-back line.

Wing-back Rory Hartnett, who was returning from injury along with Tadhg O’Leary Hayes, levelled matters after seven minutes.

Points by the Barrs captain Ben Cunningham (tallied 0-12), both frees following fouls on John Wigginton Barrett and Rory O’Sullivan, allowed his side regain the lead.

A pattern was developing and it didn’t take long for Mikey Finn to tie proceedings after 20 minutes.

The Togher club gathered a bit of momentum with the next four points as William Buckley landed his second from the left corner, Conor O’Donoghue and a brace from Ben Cunningham (one free), 0-8 to 0-4.

Eoghan Fraser started a run for Midleton when his effort from out the field went over the crossbar despite ‘keeper Eoin Kelleher bringing down the sliotar. Three Mikey Finn points, two from play, left it 0-8 apiece at the break.

The second-half continued to ebb and flow with both teams enjoying purple patches.

Cunningham (2) and Ciarán Doolan put St Finbarr’s two up inside the opening 10 minutes.

Midleton took over for the next quarter of an hour, taking the lead for the first time in the 46th minute courtesy of Peter Barrett, 0-12 to 0-11.

Also during this period, two glorious chances of goals were spurned - both set up by captain Alex Quirke only for the ball getting away from Peter Barrett on both occasions.

The east Cork side pushed 0-14 to 0-11 clear - St Finbarr’s first flag in 16 minutes arriving from a Cunningham free. The centre-forward followed with another, this time from 100 metres.

A wonder point from play by Cunningham where he fought off several opponents gained parity, and the same player wrestled back control with a brace of frees to lead by two.

Deep in stoppage time, it was wing-backs Rory Hartnett and then Evan McCarthy who sent the game to extra-time, 0-16 each.

Midleton won the first period thanks to a Mikey Finn free and David Cremin.

The Barrs came within one.

Rory Hartnett grabbed his third point to push the lead to two, and then we had Barrett’s important finish.

Scorers for Midleton: M Finn (0-8, 0-6 frees), P Barrett (1-2), R Hartnett (0-3), E Fraser and D Cremin (0-2 each), E McCarthy, C Stack and D Scanlon (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: B Cunningham (0-12, 0-10 frees), W Buckley (0-2), C Doolan, J Wigginton Barrett, E Hallahan and C O’Donoghue (0-1 each).

MIDLETON: B Saunderson; C Cronin, A Fay, T Dunlea; E McCarthy, C Smyth, R Hartnett; E Fraser, E McGrath; D McCarthy, A Quirke (Capt), M Finn; P Barrett, T O’Leary Hayes, D Cremin.

Subs: D Scanlon for D McCarthy (39), C Beausang for T O’Leary Hayes (46), C Stack for P Barrett (53), A Moloney for T Dunlea (55 inj), C Morley for C Beausang (17 ET), P Barrett for D Scanlon (temp 19 ET), S McSharry for E McGrath (21 ET).

ST FINBARR’S: E Kelleher; S Kennedy, C Doolan, J Kennefick; T Egan, A Barry, A Buckley; W Buckley, R Barrett; E Hallahan, B Cunningham (Capt), R O’Sullivan; C O’Donoghue, J Wigginton Barrett, D Murray.

Subs: C Buckley for R O’Sullivan (48), J Brady for D Murray (56), E Hurley for E Hallahan (1 ET), D Burke for J Kennefick (12 ET), R O’Sullivan for A Buckley (15 ET).

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).