Inniscarra: 0-15
Midleton: 1-15
Midleton made it three wins from their three games in Section 1 as they finished top after defeating Inniscarra in the Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC at Ballyanly on Wednesday evening.
The Magpies advance directly to the semi-finals following this hard-fought win over Inniscarra. The latter had to win and hope St Colman’s didn’t against Youghal, but that proved not to be the case as the Muskerry club miss out on qualification.
Midleton took the game by the scruff of the neck in the last quarter to prevail, despite being without former Cork minor hurler Peter Barrett.
The Magpies were trailing for the majority, they were behind by a point at the interval and three points adrift early in the second half, but they showed their class in the last quarter to eke out a win. They hit seven of the nine points in the last quarter.
Inniscarra were down a number of key players including forward James O’Sullivan, but they were fantastic for large spells. They simply got overpowered in the closing stages, but they will take lots of positives from this season despite losing their last two games in the group stage.
Sean Óg Holland of Inniscarra under pressure from Shane O’Mahony of Midleton. Picture: Jim Coughlan
The team in blue and white required a win to give them their best chance of staying alive for a qualification spot. They did have a strong start as they led 0-5 to 0-2 after seven manic minutes.
Seán O’Sullivan’s point the pick of them as Inniscarra had five different scorers. Colm Herlihy and Senan Brislane were excellent in defence.
The sides traded points before Nicky Coughlan did bisect the posts for Midleton to leave them two points behind.
Midleton were second best at this juncture. Jack Shine sent over a great point for Inniscarra to restore their three-point buffer. The teams then traded frees, Shane O’Mahony for Midleton and David Enright for Inniscarra, 0-8 to 0-5 after 18 minutes.
Midleton though were playing in spells and had a real purple patch when they scored 1-1 to lead for the first time.
Cian Stack with a well taken goal after a Liam Walsh pass and the goal scorer also got a point, 1-6 to 0-8 after 28 minutes.
Inniscarra finished the half well though, a pair of Enright frees giving them a one point lead at half-time, 0-10 to 1-6.
Wides for both teams dominated the opening few minutes of the new half. Inniscarra did land the first two points courtesy of a Benjamin Lynch effort and an Enright free.
David Enright of Inniscarra and Cian Lawton and Seán Crowley of Midleton battle for the high ball. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Walsh did hit the post for Midleton albeit the shot was from a difficult angle. The teams then traded white flags as Inniscarra led 0-13 to 1-7 after 42 minutes.
A Coughlan effort did keep the Magpies firmly in touch. Midleton controlled the last quarter both in terms of possession and scores as they finished the game better to get over the line.
The teams did swap white flags until the away team put five points together to lead 1-14 to 0-14 with a minute remaining plus added time.
O’Mahony with three points, two frees, and efforts form Stack and Cian Lawton.
An Enright free did leave Inniscarra two points behind, but their efforts for a goal were in vain.
Josh Hogan bisected the posts for the eventual winners in the fifth minute of stoppage time which proved to be the last score.
Midleton march on to a semi-final meeting with Douglas.
Scorers for Inniscarra: D Enright 0-7 f, B Lynch, J Shine, Jack O’Mahony 0-2 each, C Lyons, S O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
Midleton: C Stack 1-3, S O’Mahony 0-5 (0-4 f), N Coughlan 0-3, J Hogan 0-2, L Walsh, C Lawton 0-1 each.
INNISCARRA: P O’Mahony; J Dineen, C Herlihy, S Óg Holland; S Brislane, A Heelan, S O’Leary; J Shine, C Costelloe; Jack O’Mahony, D Enright, James O’Mahony; B Lynch, S O’Sullivan, C Lyons.
Subs: D O’Donoghue for B Lynch, K Keohane for S O’Sullivan (both 54).
MIDLETON: C Finn; B Dunlea, L Stewart, E Ahern; M Murphy, M McSweeney, F Cahill; S Crowley, C Lawton; J Hogan, S O’Mahony, N Coughlan; C Stack, J Foley, L Walsh.
Subs: C McCarthy for S Crowley (40), S Dunlea for J Foley (43), C Kelly for L Stewart (50), J O’Sullivan for L Walsh (57).
Referee: Peter O’Donovan (Carraig na bhFear).