Midleton 1-18 Killeagh 0-15
A 54th-minute goal from Mikey Finn proved decisive as 14-man Midleton edged out 13-man Killeagh to win the RedFM Division 2 Hurling League final in Castlemartyr on Sunday.
It was a disjointed affair, far removed from the standards these East Cork rivals have shown throughout the year.
While Midleton finished on top, both sides will be left with concerns – not least the trio of red cards brandished by referee Niall Fahy, and the likely suspensions that will follow.
The first dismissals came in tandem. A high challenge from Alex Quirke on Seán Long sparked a skirmish that saw Killeagh goalkeeper Philip O’Neill dismissed for his role in the melee, while Quirke was shown a straight red for the initial tackle. Yellow cards were also issued to Luke O’Farrell and Rob Sinclair in the aftermath.
The third red arrived deep in stoppage time, with Midleton leading by five. Seán Long was sent off for abusive language, compounding Killeagh’s frustrations.
Little Conor O’Reilly pictured with Midleton players Sean O’Meara and Mikey Finn and the Div 2 Hurling league trophy in Castlemartyr. Picture: Howard Crowdy
It was a turning point when the first two reds came – and came at the worst possible time for Killeagh. Having landed four scores in a row to take a 0-12 to 0-10 lead, they had momentum. Suddenly, Midleton came alive.
Points from O’Farrell and Ross O’Regan, sandwiched around Long’s third, restored Midleton’s lead. Two Finn frees followed, and suddenly it was 0-14 to 0-13.
Then came the breakthrough, through Midleton’s former Cork U20s. Dave Cremin found Finn, who closed the space to goal before firing low past substitute keeper Colin Walsh. Walsh got a touch, but couldn’t keep it out.
The four-point difference remained going into added time, until O’Farrell was brought down for a penalty. Finn stepped up to take it, but Walsh made a superb save. Finn nailed the 65, but it gave Killeagh a much-needed lift.
Midleton’s Mikey Finn controls the sliothar ahead of Killeagh’s Cathal Fitzgibbon. Picture: Howard Crowdy
They went in search of a goal. But they couldn’t find a way past Eoin Moloney, outstanding at full-back. Only bested by Brendan Delaney at the other end for Killeagh.
Still, Killeagh came close. A booming delivery from Andy Walsh was superbly caught by Ryan McCarthy, who blasted a shot at goal – only for Bryan Rossiter to make a brilliant save. The late red card, followed by another Finn free, rubbed further salt into the wound.
Killeagh will feel the final margin was misleading.
For 45 minutes, they were the better team. But they leave Castlemartyr empty-handed – and counting the cost, with two dismissals and an injury to Dylan McCarthy.
The first half was largely forgettable.
Thunder rolled just before throw-in, and the resulting rain meant a scrappy, error-strewn opening quarter. Just five scores had been registered by the 15th minute – Killeagh ahead 0-3 to 0-2, with only one from play, Evan Lane’s ninth-minute effort.
Killeagh’s Ryan McCarthy breaks away from Sean O’Meara and Ross O’Regan of Midleton. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Even when conditions improved, the quality didn’t. Lane grabbed his second from a Philip O’Neill pass before Killian McDermott equalised at 0-4 apiece.
Cormac Beausang nudged Midleton ahead for the first time, only for McCarthy to respond with the best moment of the half – catching O’Neill’s long ball under pressure and kicking over an outstanding point.
At the break, it was 0-8 to 0-6. By 37 minutes, it was 0-10 to 0-8. Killeagh pushed on – but the drama that followed turned the tide decisively in Midleton’s favour.
Scorers for Midleton: M Finn 1-10 (0-9 f, 0-1 65), C Beausang (0-1 f), L O’Farrell 0-3 each, K McDermott, R O’Regan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Killeagh: R McCarthy 0-4 (0-3 f), E Lane, R Long 0-3 each, D McCarthy 0-2 f, A Walsh, S Smiddy, S Walsh 0-1 each.
MIDLETON: B Rossiter; S Smyth, E Moloney, T O’Leary Hayes; L Dineen, C Smyth, R O’Regan; S O’Meara, M Finn; K McDermott, A Quirke, L O’Farrell; P White, C Beausang, C Walsh.
Subs: D Cremin for Walsh (42), E McGrath for White (57), A Daly for O’Meara (60).
KILLEAGH: P O’Neill; S Long, P O’Brien, B Delaney; R Sinclair, D Walsh, A Walsh; C Fitzgibbon, E Lane; R McCarthy, R Long, S Smiddy; C Leahy, D Buckley, D McCarthy.
Subs: S Walsh for D McCarthy (25 inj), C Walsh for Buckley (47), R Treacy for D Walsh (53), G Walsh Wallace for Sinclair (57), A Leahy for C Leahy (60+2).
Referee: Niall Fahy (Brian Dillons)
