Murphy hat-trick powers Midleton CBS to Dean Ryan win

A 14-point margin was rough justice on hosts Gaelcholáiste Mhuire at the Mon Field

Midleton’s Liam O’Riordan battles for possession with Gaelcholáiste Mhuire’s Darragh Coade and Rob Burke. Picture by Noel Sweeney

Dean Ryan Cup: Midleton CBS 3-13 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire An Mhainistir Thuaidh 0-8 

Kyle Murphy finished with 3-4 as a good finish by Midleton CBS eased them clear of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire in the opening round of the TUS Munster PPS Dean Ryan Cup (U17AHC) on Wednesday afternoon.

While a 14-point margin at the end was rough justice on the hosts at the Mon Field, there was no arguing that the visitors were deserving of victory, earning the right to garnish the scoreline with late goals.

In windy and intermittently wet conditions, it was an attritional battle. In Murphy and Conor Ronayne, Midleton displayed more of a cutting edge and looked likelier winners at half-time, when they led by 0-8 to 0-5 having played into the worst of the elements.

While Gaelcholáiste Mhuire’s main attacking threat, Séamus Ó Donnabháin, pointed within seconds of the restart, it was as close as they would come for the remainder – Midleton produced a strong riposte with points from Ronayne and Murphy (two).

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire’s Mixie Gale takes a sideline cut. Picture by Noel Sweeney

Aided by the strength of a half-back line where Roan Kelleher impressed, Midleton could have moved further clear in the third quarter but their shooting let them down. At the other end, they had reason to be thankful to goalkeeper Will Stokes – a county minor winner with Midleton on Monday night – for a fine save to deny Ryan Ó Corráin at a time when a goal would brought ‘the AG’ to within a point.

Midleton were not without their own goal chances though: Tomás Ó Sé was unlucky to send a low shot wide after a good run on 51 but they didn’t have too long to wait as Murphy pounced on the break when an Eoghan O’Donovan clearance broke and slotted home for a 1-11 to 0-7 advantage.

The attacker almost added another immediately after that, firing across the face of the goal, but after Gaelcholáiste Mhuire centre-back Mixie Gale landed a big free for what would be their last score, Midleton went into overdrive.

A great catch from sub Ben Aherne was the catalyse for an Ó Sé point before Murphy got his second goal following a counter-attack.

Sub Bill Leahy made it 2-13 to 0-8 and deep injury time Murphy got his hat-trick goal.

Goal chances had been rare in the first half, where Midleton moved into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead as they moved the ball well only for two Cillian Mac Eocháin frees and an Ó Donnabháin point to bring the home side level.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire’s Darragh Coade holds the ball after a foul. Picture by Noel Sweeney

Murphy, set up by James Doyle, had Midleton back in front before a free from goalkeeper Stokes had them 0-6 to 0-4 in front. They would lead thereafter.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: K Murphy 3-4, C Ronayne 0-3 (0-1 65), W Stokes (0-1f), J Doyle, T Ó Sé, D Collins, W Collins, B Leahy 0-1 each.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire An Mhainistir Thuaidh: S Ó Donnabháin 0-3, C Mac Eocháoin (0-2f), R Ó Corráin 0-2, M Gale 0-1.

MIDLETON CBS: W Stokes (Midleton); F Barrett (Carrigtwohill), L O’Riordan (Dungourney), C Cashman (Aghada); R Kelleher (Dungourney), E O’Donovan (Midleton), P Aherne (Cloyne); J Doyle (Lisgoold), C Coughlan (Cloyne); T Ó Sé (Lisgoold), C Ronayne (Dungourney), D Collins (Cloyne); W Collins (Castlemartyr), T O’Dowd (Midleton), K Murphy (Lisgoold).

Subs: J Hayes (Dungourney) for W Collins (51), B Aherne (Erin’s Own) for O’Dowd (54), L O’Dwyer (Lisgoold) for Barrett, B Leahy (Dungourney) for D Collins (both 60)

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AN MHAINISTIR THUAIDH: R de Búrca (Glen Rovers); C Mac Cárthaigh (Glen Rovers), S Ó Daltúin (Na Piarsaigh), E Swan Ceannt (St Vincent’s); D Peyton (St Vincent’s), M Gale (Glen Rovers), E Ó hÓgáin (Na Piarsaigh); S Ó Meachair (Delanys), S Ó Muirí (Glen Rovers); C Mac Eocháin (Glen Rovers), N Ó Dálaigh (Whitechurch), K de Barra (Glen Rovers); S Ó Donnabháin (Glen Rovers), D Mac Óda (Glen Rovers), R Ó Corráin (Glen Rovers).

Subs: F Ó Ríordáin (Glen Rovers) for Ó Daltúin (12-20), H Ó Cuirc (Glen Rovers) for de Barra (39), Ó Ríordáin for Peyton (49, injured), C Ricken (Glen Rovers) for Mac Eocháin (55).

Referee: M O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).