Dr Harty Cup: Barry's late free salvages draw for St Colman's College Fermoy against Midleton CBS

Midleton outscored their opponents by six points to one down the stretch to earn a share of the spoils in the Cork derby.

St Colmans Fermoy’s Cormac Barry dives to secure possession during the Dr Harty Cup clash with Midleton CBS. Pic: Chani Anderson.

Dr Harty Cup group 2: Midleton CBS 0-19 St Colman’s College, Fermoy 0-19

Cormac Barry’s injury-time free ensured that the points were shared in the all-Cork TUS Dr Harty Cup derby at Lisgoold on Wednesday afternoon.

Trailing by 0-17 to 0-13 with nine minutes left after St Colman’s College sub John O’Keeffe set up another replacement, Mattie Kenny, for a nice point, Midleton CBS responded well and outscored their opponents by six points to one down the stretch.

As they had been throughout this Group 2 encounter, Fionn Daly’s frees were vital for Midleton as they cut the deficit. They were level in the 61st minute when Darragh Heavin – wearing 2 but operating out the field as he tagged a roving attacker, as he did for Cork minors this year – showed great strength to win possession and land a boomer from his own 65.

Then, another of their star turns, centre-back Tom A Walsh, carried the ball up the field and laid off to Cian Stack, who fired over this third point of the day to leave them on the brink of victory.

Midleton CBS supporters light flares as they get behind their side during the Dr Harty Cup clash with St Colmans Fermoy. Pic: Chani Anderson.

However, there was still time for Colman’s to salvage something, and they were rewarded when wing-back Denis Fitzgerald, impressive throughout, won a good ball and was fouled. Barry, like Daly at the other end, had been nerveless from dead balls and converted without fuss, ensuring both schools took something from the game.

While both will feel they could have won, equally it would be hard to argue that either deserved to lose, much like the 0-20 each opening-round clash between the schools in Watergrasshill three years ago.

Colm Garde’s injury was a loss to Midleton – Walsh’s display at centre-back more than compensated but, had his Cork colleague been available, Walsh could have been deployed further up the park, where his inter-county midfield partner, Jack Counihan of Colman’s, was ever-effective.

It was Counihan who set up Barry’s point to put Colman’s 0-4 to 0-2 in front after nine minutes, but Midleton got a grip thereafter and were 0-8 to 0-5 ahead following a lovely Sam Ring point on 19.

In the midst of that run, Cormac Deane might have found the net for Midleton but shot wide under pressure after a good run – the lack of clear goal chances meant that the trailing side were always in touch and Colman’s had restored parity at 0-9 each by half-time.

Colman’s enjoyed a good start to the second half – even when Barry had to depart with a blood injury, his temporary replacement O’Keeffe drilled over a long-range free, and with James Mullery and Cathal Barry to the fore in defence, they were good value for their lead.

Midleton CBS’s Fionn Daly clears under pressure and drives his side forward during the Dr Harty Cup clash with St Colmans Fermoy. Pic: Chani Anderson.

Counihan’s superb run led to Cormac Barry’s ninth point and a three-point advantage before O’Keeffe and Kenny combined to put them four in front.

A Midleton team featuring so many of last year’s Dean Ryan Cup-winning side was not going to lie down, however, and their effort and application ensured they were able claw their way back.

Wing-back Senan Carroll typified the endeavour when his foray led to Daly’s sixth point and the latter continued to do the needful when Midleton forced Colman’s into the concession of frees.

They might have won it through Stack, but Cormac Barry had the final say.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: F Daly (0-9, 5f), C Stack (0-3), E Connolly, S Ring (0-2 each), S Murtagh, B Geary, D Heavin (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Colman’s College: C Barry (0-10, 8f), S McCarthy (0-3), J O’Keeffe (0-2, 1f), O Hegarty, J Counihan, M Kenny (0-1 each).

MIDLETON CBS: Tom C Walsh (Aghada); D Heavin (St Colman’s), R O’Connell (Fr O’Neills), C Rooney (Carrigtwohill); M McSweeney (Midleton), Tom A Walsh (Carrigtwohill), S Carroll (Midleton); E Connolly (Kiltha Óg), F Cahill (Midleton); F Daly (Kiltha Óg), C Deane (Killeagh), S Murtagh (St Colman’s); S Ring (Carrigtwohill), C Stack (Midleton), B Geary (Killeagh).

Subs: F Connaughton (Kiltha Óg) for Murtagh, C Seymour (Carrigtwohill) for Rooney (both 44), D Murphy (Lisgoold) for Ring (50), J Cullimore (Carrigtwohill) for McSweeney (58).

ST COLMAN’S COLLEGE: D Collins (Kilworth); J Batterberry (Ballycastle Gaels), J Mullery (Fermoy), B Ryan (Watergrasshill); D Barry (Watergrasshill), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers); F O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); R Donovan (Fermoy), Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers), C Murphy (Castlelyons); O Hegarty (Kilworth), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), S McCarthy (Castlelyons).

Subs: M Kenny (Bride Rovers) for Murphy (half-time), J O’Keeffe (Fermoy) for Cormac Barry (34-40), O’Keeffe for McCarthy (51).

Referee: S Stokes (Tullylease).