Sars dominate Midleton to claim Cork hurling crown

Sarsfields have won their second Cork Premier SHC title in three years, and their eighth in all. Though it was against a Midleton side who were a shadow of themselves.

James Sweeney scored both of Sarsfields' goals in their Cork Premier SHC final victory over Midleton. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Cork Premier SHC final: Sarsfields 2-18 Midleton 1-14

Following the same pattern as the club’s famine-finishers of two decades ago, this current Sars crop are crafting their own legacy. And they will continue to add layers beyond Sunday’s latest monument of success. The roof of their ambitions and local dominance is a long way from being slated.

Their reclaiming of the Cork summit for a second title in three years came with a caveat that needs stating, and stating early, but is in no way designed to detract from their achievement.

As Micheál Keohane’s Midleton charges warmed up beforehand, Eoin Moloney, supported by a pair of crutches, watched on from the South Stand sideline. Standing beside him, and wearing a medical boot, was Conor Lehane.

The latter’s loss was a canyon. His teammates roamed lost without their forward compass. Cormac Beausang was the sole Midleton player to manage more than a single score from play.

The forced churn in the Midleton line-up required mention such was the impact imparted. It couldn’t be ignored.

The turnover in the Sars team has had far less speaking time. Unfairly so, given the impact imparted by the new faces in.

For a crowd appearing in their third consecutive county final, it’s most unusual that one-third of the starting team would be making their county final debut. A full final debut for all bar one, the outlier of the five being marauding midfielder Killian Murphy and his eight minutes at the end of last year’s Imokilly defeat.

Injury and emigration visited their dressing-room throughout the year. Cathal McCarthy and Aaron Myers are mainstay absentees from the beaten All-Ireland final side. And yet the collective stands undiminished.

Starting at the top of the team sheet, goalkeeper Ben Graham saved from Killian McDermott and Beausang in either half. Full-back Cillian Roche brought the same authority as he did when breaking even with Brian Hayes in the semi-final.

That pair have been in place since last winter’s provincial run. Corner-back Donal English and 18-year-old corner-forward Barry O’Flynn are far more recent promotions.

English’s out-in-front approach was at the root of two opening half points and a third late on. His roll call also included blocking down a second-half Luke O’Farrell white flag attempt.

O’Flynn, meanwhile, was fouled for three opening half frees, as well as delivering their opener from play. It took a swap of Midleton defenders to ensure his influence did not continue into the second period.

These names are their future. The comprehensive county minor final win of two weeks ago - also at Midleton’s expense - says many more names are coming behind.

Two in three years at local level will not be their legacy.

At the far end of the age and experience spectrum are 2008 survivors and now six-time county medalists Conor O'Sullivan, Craig Leahy, and Daniel Kearney.

Kearney was to the fore in an opening act where Sars sourced openings at ease. O’Sullivan cleared Alex Quirke’s shot off the goal line in the play following Graham’s aforementioned second half save. Leahy supplied the injury-time delivery for James Sweeney’s second - and game-sealing - goal.

His first was part of a 1-3 reply to Midleton’s opening score of an 11th minute Evan McGrath goal. The latter green flag represented the first and last time Sars trailed in this incoherent decider that was more open and airy than rough or raw.

Sweeney would have had a hat-trick if Colm McCarthy elected to pass inside rather than shoot unsuccessfully himself late in the first half. Unusually uneconomical were Sars. 16 wides attest to such.

Not clinical, always comfortable. Their 1-9 to 1-3 interval lead never reduced below four thereafter.

A third consecutive campaign where no other club in the county has bettered them. Championship silverware added to earlier League success. Unbeaten across the 2025 season since the beginning of April.

The last Sars group to be singled out are the Sars men in their prime. The half-forward pair of Jack O’Connor and Cian Darcy, when in stride, are the untouchable embodiment of the team they lead.

O’Connor again spoke to his namesake Ben. He again fattened the argument for a starting spot with Cork. Ignore the one point beside Darcy. Three converted frees came from fouls he drew. He assisted Sweeney’s opening major.

Every group mentioned above, woven superbly by Johnny Crowley, are united in bringing a smile to Ray Ryan and their many other angels in the sky.

“We drew a line through the sand after that humbling defeat in Croke Park. We wanted Seán Óg Murphy back again. We felt we didn't do ourselves justice 12 months ago,” said Crowley.

The latter statement is rare enough applied to this team of proven temperament. Thriving and thirsty for more.

Scorers for Sars: C McCarthy (0-8, 0-7 frees); J Sweeney (2-0); J O’Connor (0-5); D Hogan, K Murphy, S O’Regan, C Darcy, B O’Flynn (0-1 each).

Scorers for Midleton: M Finn (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 ‘65); E McGrath (1-0); K McDermott (0-1 ‘65), C Beausang (0-2 each); B Saunderson (0-1 free), C Walsh, P White (0-1 each).

SARSFIELDS: B Graham; C O’Sullivan, C Roche, D English; C Leahy, B Murphy, L Elliott; K Murphy, D Kearney; J O’Connor, D Hogan, C Darcy; C McCarthy, B O’Flynn, J Sweeney.

Subs: S O’Regan for C McCarthy (52); B Nodwell for O’Flynn (57); E Murphy for Elliott (61).

MIDLETON: B Saunderson; S Smyth, L Dineen; C Smyth; R O’Regan, T O’Connell, T O’Leary Hayes; E McGrath, M Finn; C Walsh, A Quirke, K McDermott; P White, C Beausang, D Cremin.

Subs: L O’Farrell for Cremin (41); P Connaughton for O’Regan (45); S O’Meara for Walsh (48); K Burke for O’Meara (57, inj); P Haughney for White (60).

Referee: C Lyons.