Luke O'Farrell double fires Midleton into Cork IAHC semi-finals

Next up for Midleton is a semi-final clash with Sars

Luke O'Farrell scored 2-2 for Midleton against Youghal. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Cork IAHC quarter-final: Midleton 4-15 Youghal 2-12 

A five star first half display from Midleton saw them coast to an easy nine-point win over east Cork rivals Youghal in a tame Co Op Superstores Intermediate A Hurling Championship quarter-final at Dungourney on Friday.

Plenty of heroes for the winners but the experience of Luke O’Farrell (2-2) laid the foundation for this comfortable win.

Playing with the aid of a strong wind, Midleton were quickest from the blocks and a superb assist from captain Aaron Mulcahy set up Kian Farmer for their opening goal in the second minute.

The pressure continued on Youghal’s defence and a second green flag was raised two minutes later when the energetic Cathal Beausang pounced on poor defending to slot the ball past the helpless keeper.

The problem that Youghal were encountering was their failure to win possession but a superb solo and strike saw Cian Coleman split the posts in the fifth minute.

The experience that Midleton have in their squad is frightening and in Luke O’Farrell they have an ace and he showed his class when drilling an unstoppable shot to the back of the net in the 11th minute surged the Magpies into an 11 point lead.

Luckily for Youghal, Midleton’s tendency to give away soft frees kept them within striking distance with James Murray chipping in with six from placed balls in the opening half.

O’Farrell looked lethal when getting on the ball and once again sloppy defending allowed the talisman in for his second goal with five minutes remaining to the interval.

At this stage Midleton were still in second gear but this game looked over as a contest at the break when they commanded a 15-point lead 4-11 to 0-8.

Playing with the aid of a strong wind for the second half Youghal showed a lot more intensity and with stalwart Bill Cooper moving to the full forward line they won more possession.

Credit to the Midleton defence they handled the majority of their opponents attacks with composure and control but a 42nd minute penalty executed by the Youghal goalkeeper Oisin Walsh gave them a ray of hope.

To be fair although Midleton only scored four points for the remainder of the game they were always in cruise control.

Despite putting in a battling display Youghal had to rely on a second Walsh goal this time from a 20 metre free that billowed the back of the net.

Next up for Midleton is a semi-final clash against Sars that is likely to test their credentials.

Scorers for Midleton: L O’Farrell 2-2, P Barrett 0-5, K Farmer 1-1, C Beausang 1-1, A Mulcahy 0-4 (0-3f), S Quirke, L Dineen (0-1 each).

Scorers for Youghal: J Murray 0-9 (0-7f), O Walsh 2-0 (pen,f), J Casey 0-2, C Coleman 0-1.

MIDLETON: B Rossiter; C Gunning, L Dineen, S Smyth; K Burke, C Cronin, E McCarthy; D Egan, P Haughney; C Beausang, S Quirke, A Mulcahy; L O’Farrell, K Farmer, P Barrett.

Subs: D Scanlon for K Farmer (38), E Fraser for S Smyth (48), C Stack for D Egan (50), A Faye for P Barrett (55), J Hogan for E McCarthy (60).

YOUGHAL: O Walsh; F Hill, B Nicholson, O Terry-Foley; M McCarthy, C Geary, M Power; J Casey, M Breathnach; E Cronin, C Coleman, C O’Mahony; J Murray, A Frahill, O Hill.

Subs: J Lenane for C Coleman (35), C Galvin for J Casey (45).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).