Gaelic Games

Midleton recover well from poor start for easy win over Na Piarsaigh

Win completes all-East Cork county final where they’ll face Sarsfields

Mon Oct 21 2013 - 01:01

MIDLETON 2-21 NA PIARSAIGH 1-6: Midleton made it an all-East Cork county final as they enjoyed an easier-than-expected semi-final victory over Na Piarsaigh at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

While an early Cian Buckley goal, given after Midleton goalkeeper Tommy Wallace was adjudged to have carried the ball over his line, was the perfect start for Na Piarsaigh, they failed to build on that. Former Cork captain John Gardiner and star forward Pádraig Gould both only played after passing fitness tests and their play lacked the vigour of earlier performances.

Once Midleton settled, though, they were by far the better team, points from Luke O’Farrell and Brian Hartnett getting them off the mark while centre-forward Aidan Ryan was excellent. They had moved in front by the time Ryan kicked a goal following a scramble and then Lehane profited from good O’Farrell play to fire a second green flag as they led by 2-8 to 1-4 at half-time.

Peter Dowling and Paul Haughney were well on top in midfield and after the restart they continued to dominate, with Na Piarsaigh limited to just two second-half points, from Ian McDonnell and sub Stephen O’Sullivan. Lehane, who had gained the upper hand on Seán Óg Ó hAilpín was in great form, finishing with 1-8, and Hartenett and Pádraig O’Shea also had good late scores.

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Now just Sarsfields stand in the way of Midleton claiming a first title since 1991.


MIDLETON: T Wallace; K Burke, P O'Mahony, A Kearney; S O'Farrell, F O'Mahony, J Nagle; P Haughney, P Dowling; P O'Shea (0-2), A Ryan (1-2), C Lehane (1-8, 0-3f, 0-1 65, 0-1 sl); D Ryan, L O'Farrell (0-2), B Hartnett (0-4). Subs: C Walsh (0-2) for D Ryan (35), P O'Keeffe (0-1) for Lehane (54), E Walsh for Haughney (55), K Mulcahy for O'Farrell (57), E Mulcahy for P O'Mahony (59).
NA PIARSAIGH: A Keating; A Brady, D Mannix, E Moynihan; S Óg Ó hAilpín, C Joyce, A Dennehy; C O'Mahony, J Gardiner; K Buckley (0-1), P O'Rourke, I McDonnell (0-3f); S Duggan, P Gould, C Buckley (1-1). Subs: A Hogan for Gould (half-time), S O'Sullivan (0-1) for Duggan (38), R McGregor for Mannix (41, injured), P Cumming for K Buckley (44), S Glasgow for McDonnell (49).
Referee: D Kirwan (Eire Óg).