Inspirational display from Conor Lehane helps Midleton end their long wait

Midleton 2-15 Sarsfields 2-13

For the first time since 1991, Midleton are the Cork hurling champions after Conor Lehane inspired them to victory over reigning champions Sarsfields yesterday.

Lehane scored 2-10, all but five of his side’s tally, with 2-8 coming from play as he continued the supreme level of performance he had displayed since Midleton resumed championship activity following the All-Ireland final.

With a two-point lead at half-time, 2-8 to 1-10 (with 2-7 from Lehane), Midleton underwent a test of their credentials as Sars drew level again, with a Cian McCarthy goal helping their resurgence. But they were more than up to that challenge.

Excellent displays
Midleton also had excellent displays from wing-back James Nagle and Peter Dowling at midfield and were also thankful to Luke O'Farrell, Brian Hartnett and Pádraig O'Shea for important scores.

Daniel Kearney’s point inside 12 seconds struck the first blow for Sars, and while Lehane replied with a brace of scores, Michael Cussen struck for a Sars goal in the fifth minute, profiting from Éanna Martin’s delivery.

Though Gavin O’Loughlin strengthened the lead, Lehane had Midleton level almost immediately as he took advantage of indecision in defence to fire to the net.

With Daniel Kearney working hard at midfield to provide ball inside, Sars were forcing frees which Cian McCarthy converted and they led 1-7 to 1-4 by by the 20th minute.

Then Lehane struck again, nicking a Paul Haughney ball past Alan Kennedy, and he finished the half with three more points to ensure they led at the interval.

Though McCarthy and Cussen helped to wipe out that lead early in the third quarter, Midleton powered on again and with Lehane (two) and O’Farrell on target they opened up their biggest advantage of the game.

Back Sars came again, however. When impressive centre-back Eoin Quigley launched a ball into Cussen, he provided the lay-off for McCarthy to convert.

When McCarthy added a pointed free after Eoin O’Sullivan had been fouled, Sars were 2-11 to 2-10 in front and appeared set to win back-to-back titles for the first time.

Midleton had other ideas though. Lehane produced an outrageous effort from the left after O’Shea’s good win in the air and then O’Shea rounded off a move involving Séamus O’Farrell and Aidan Ryan to regain the lead.

Sars fought on and McCarthy's frees ensured that they were level at 2-13 each with 10 minutes left, but it was Midleton's day. Lehane's free from the 65metre line edged them in front once more and then O'Farrell gave them breathing space. Despite losing Nagle to a second yellow card late on, they held out in the face of fierce Sarsfields' pressure.
MIDLETON: T Wallace; A Kearney, P O'Mahony, K Burke; S O'Farrell, F O'Mahony, J Nagle; P Haughney, P Dowling; P O'Shea (0-1), A Ryan, C Lehane (2-10, two frees, one 65); L O'Farrell (0-3), D Ryan, B Hartnett (0-1). Sub: C Walsh for D Ryan (34).
SARSFIELDS: A Kennedy; R Ryan, J Barry, C O'Sullivan; G O'Kelly-Lynch, E Quigley, É Martin (0-2, 1f); D Kearney (0-2), E O'Sullivan; G O'Loughlin (0-1), C McCarthy (1-7, 6f, one 65), D Roche; K Murphy, R O'Driscoll, M Cussen (1-1). Subs: T Óg Murphy for Roche (15-16, blood), C Leahy for O'Kelly-Lynch (21, )T Óg Murphy for Roche (27-29, blood), T Óg Murphy for O'Driscoll (ht, R Murphy for Roche (53-56, blood).
Referee: C Lyons (Nemo Rangers).