Cork Premier 1 MHC: Four-goal Midleton prevail in dramatic final replay

Liam Walsh's extra-time goal helped Midleton overcome Blackrock in a dramatic Cork Premier 1 minor hurling final replay

Midleton have claimed a minor hurling league and championship double. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Cork Premier 1 MHC final replay: Midleton 4-17 Blackrock 1-23 (aet) 

Midleton were pushed all the way by Blackrock in Dungourney on Monday before securing a Cork ETB Rebel Óg minor hurling league and championship double.

While it took a while to get going, the Premier 1 final replay grew in excitement during a second half where Blackrock battled to erode Midleton’s half-time lead before it built to a crescendo.

Michael Quill’s ninth point, in the 49th minute, had finally drawn the Rockies level and with two minutes of normal time left, they remained tied, 2-11 to 0-17, when Midleton made what looked to have been a match-winning move: Liam Walsh’s lovely pass to Senan Carroll allowed him to run at the Rockies defence before offloading to Shane O’Mahony for their third goal.

In injury time, though, a Blackrock free on halfway was brought forward for dissent – Quill went for broke and was rewarded as a fizzing low shot ended in the net. Things were to get even better as sub Adam Browne put them ahead for the first time since late in the first half but Midleton were afforded a late chance to level from a free, which O’Mahony converted to necessitate the additional 20 minutes.

The Magpies made the most of that second chance almost immediately as a clearance was not claimed by the Blackrock defence, allowing Liam Walsh to run on to it and slot home, with a lovely Alfie Hennessy point extending the advantage to four.

Again, Blackrock came back and were within one before a pair of O’Mahony frees and a lovely O’Sullivan point gave them breathing room at the turnaround.

With both sides out on their feet, the second period lacked the same bombast. A huge free by Midleton centre-back Max Murphy pushed the lead out to five but once more Blackrock came back and Quill brought his tally to 1-12 with two late frees.

Unfortunately for them, the late goal required to keep the tie alive did not materialise and Midleton could put the trophy alongside the league title won in July.

In a game where referee Niall Hayes did his best to let things flow, Midleton’s John O’Sullivan had struck for an early first-half goal – and only been denied another by a superb Seán Ó Sé block. Blackrock were hurling well, though, with wing-back Patrick McCarthy prominent, as he would be throughout.

A 65 from Quill on the 22nd minute, followed by a Kevin Long point, gave Blackrock a 0-8 to 1-3 lead, their biggest advantage of a game that had been level four times up to then. However, between there and half-time, Midleton made a surge. O’Mahony’s frees levelled and, while Quill moved the Rockies back in front with a superb catch and point from a puckout on 28, they were to trail by three at half-time.

First, good defending from the front by Midleton yielded a turnover close to goal and Ciarán Kelly capitalised with a crashing shot to the net. That made it 2-5 to 0-9 and John O’Sullivan’s superb point from the left sideline extended the cushion.

It was one that would oscillate between one and three points for much of the second half until Blackrock finally wiped it out. Much more back-and-forth was to follow before ultimate glory went to Midleton.

Scorers for Midleton: S O’Mahony 1-6 (0-6f), J O’Sullivan 1-4, L Walsh 1-1, C Kelly 1-0, M Murphy 0-2f, S Dunlea, A Hennessy, A Molumby, C McCarthy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Blackrock: M Quill 1-13 (1-11f, 0-1 65), K Long 0-3, S O’Shaughnessy 0-2, A Hurley, C O’Neill, A Browne, R O’Neill, J Punch 0-1 each.

MIDLETON: W Stokes; P Egan, B Dunlea, R McCormack; F Cahill, M Murphy, S Dunlea; A Hennessy, A Molumby; C Kelly, S Carroll, C McCarthy; C O’Brien, S O’Mahony, J O’Sullivan.

Subs: L Walsh for O’Brien (half-time), J Cahill for McCarthy (57), C McCarthy for Kelly (70), Kelly for O’Sullivan, J Morley for Egan (both 73).

BLACKROCK: C Coakley; L Mackessy, S Ó Sé, J Browne; O Walsh, D Norberg, P McCarthy; A Hurley, K Long; S O’Shaughnessy, M Quill, C Stack; R Moran, L Cummins, C O’Neill.

Subs: J Punch for Cummins (18, injured), A Browne for C O’Neill (41), R O’Neill for Punch (54), F O’Keeffe for Hurley (65), B O’Keeffe for Moran (68), O McCaffrey for Mackessy (half-time in extra time)..

Referee: N Hayes (Blarney).