Newcestown dig deep to rebound and hold Midleton in Cork Premier SHC
A deserved share of the spoils for Newcestown in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday, Their backs were to the wall after succumbing to a disappointing 11-point defeat to Charleville a fortnight ago, but there was no shortage of heart and steel displayed in this round 2 match.
Especially in the second half after they turned four points down and the breaks didn't appear to be going their way.
They regained a slender 0-15 to 1-11 lead in the 48th minute But three times Midleton fought back to edge in front.
Each time Newcestown dug deep.
And in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage, who else but their outstanding talisman Richard O'Sullivan saved the day. It was no easy score but after linking with Cormac O'Sullivan, he executed a brilliant equalising point from the middle of the field.
Richard O'Sullivan fired an impressive 11 points overall with 10 of these from frees.
Conor Lehane struck seven for Midleton from placed balls.
All eyes will be on the Newtownshandrum and Charleville game on Sunday, with Newtownshandrum the next opponents for Newcestown in Group 2.
Midleton are still in a very good position with three points from two games, and have Charleville yet to play.
A Richard O'Sullivan free opened the scoring for Newcestown in the first minute, but straight from a monster Bríon Saunderson puck-out that landed on the 20m line Midleton replied with a goal when wing-forward Tommy O'Connell whipped first time to the net.
Newcestown set up with Luke Meade as a free man and Gearóid O'Donovan falling back to pick up Conor Lehane, and it was Meade settled his team with their second point David Buckley had them on level terms after five minutes - Buckley would finish with four points to his name.
The Magpies were one ahead when they got a great chance of a second goal but Luke O'Farrell's shot was brilliantly saved by Cathal Wilson and the follow-up from Patrick White went wide.
Newcestown remained focused and regained the lead through an O'Sullivan free and one from play by Buckley.
Midleton drove on in the second quarter, a feature of their play was Bríon Saunderson's puck-outs with the wind, they travelled the length of the pitch.
Through six different scorers the champions of 2021 regained the lead, 1-9 to 0-8 at half time.
Newcestown outscored them five points to one inside the first 10 minutes of the second half with O'Sullivan, Luke Meade and Buckley the providers.
Lehane was the sole response from a free.
Level 1-10 to 0-13.
The scores dried up for Midleton with their second point of the half courtesy of Cormac Beausang in the 42nd minute.
Newcestown regained control again before twice Midleton hit the post.
They did, however, move ahead again through Lehane, 1-13 to 0-15.
Twice O'Sullivan levelled from frees but when Mikey Finn stole the lead in the 63rd minute, Newcestown had it all to do.
Ultimately O'Sullivan's last gasp point ensured the honours were even.
And all to play for going forward.
Scorers for Midleton: C Lehane (0-7 frees), T O'Connell (1-0), M Finn and C Beausang (0-2 each), R O'Regan, D Cremin, B Saunderson (free) and P White (0-1 each).
Scorers for Newcestown: R O'Sullivan (0-11, 0-10 frees), D Buckley (0-4), L Meade (0-2), C Dinneen (0-1).
MIDLETON: B Saunderson; L Dineen (J-Capt), E Moloney, T O'Leary Hayes; S O'Meara, C Smyth, R O'Regan; A Quirke, M Finn; D Cremin, C Lehane (J-Capt), T O'Connell; C Beausang, L O'Farrell, P White.
Subs: C Walsh for L Dineen (43), P Connaughton for A Quirke (47).
NEWCESTOWN: C Wilson; J Kelleher (Capt), E Collins, M McSweeney; Colm O'Donovan, L Meade, C O'Sullivan; G O'Donovan, C Hurley; C Dinneen, R O'Sullivan, J Meade; Ciarán O'Donovan, D Buckley, S O'Sullivan.
Subs: E Kenneally for C Hurley (46), D McAree for S O'Sullivan (47), C O'Neill for C O'Donovan (57).
Referee: Niall Fahy (Bride Dillons).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
31 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Johnny Crowley: 'We'll see exactly what we want to do where we want to go'
Co-op Superstores Cork PSHC, Group 1: Sarsfields 4-30 Erin's Own 3-15 They have plenty of reasons to be cheerful in Riverstown this morning. Two wins from two in Group 1 of the Co-op Superstores Cork PSHC, a points difference that's 32 in credit, all but ensuring their qualification for the knockout stages, and a stacked bench that they have not been forced to use, yet. They had far too much pace, power and class for their neighbours in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night in a game that was over long before Cathal McAllister called time on proceedings. Jack O'Connor was at his brilliant best in hitting 1-8, Killian Murphy was irrepressible in the middle of the field alongside Daniel Hogan, while corner-backs Cathal McCarthy and Conor O'Sullivan hit 0-4 between them. However, their manager, Johnny Crowley, wasn't for getting carried away afterwards. 'I suppose after winning the league we just set our stall out, and I know it might be a cliché, but we genuinely said we'd just go day to day. We looked at Fr O'Neill's, that was the only target we had, really, and we went at Fr O'Neill's and luckily, we got over that. After that was done, we focused on Erin's Own, and again, that was the only target we had. 'Now, it's kind of different because we're kind of qualified with our scoring average. We're in the quarter-final of a county now, and at the end of the day that's what you hope to achieve at the start of the championship. Our last game is the Glen, so we'll sit down Monday night, like we always do, and we'll review it, and we'll see exactly what we want to do where we want to go. But we're thrilled to be in the quarter-final of the county.' Though the sides were level three times inside the opening 10 minutes, with Conor Lenihan looking sharp for Erin's Own, there were signs that Sars were ready to cut loose. Thrice Shane O'Regan was denied a goal due to excellent goalkeeping from Tom Dillon and incredible defending from Riain O'Regan. However, once Killian Murphy finished a lung busting run with a rocket to the top corner after fifteen minutes, Sars just pulled clear. O'Connor was everywhere, James Sweeney banged in two goals while McCarthys Colm and Cathal buzzed with intent. All the Caherlag-based side had in response were points from Lenihan and Cian Dunphy, leaving them trailing by 3-12 to 0-5 at the break. That left Erin's Own in the dreaded 'win the second half at least territory', and to their credit, they made a good fist of it. Lenihan and Peter O'Shea had early scores after the break, but Jack O'Connor's goal four minutes into the second half plunged them into deeper trouble. Robbie O'Flynn found a bit of form by hitting 1-4, the goal coming from a free, Cian O'Callaghan cracked home two lovely goals but despite of all of their best efforts, they could not put a dent in the deficit. Hogan filled his boots with four second half points, his midfield partner, Murphy, added two points to his splendid goal while Bryan Murphy and Luke Elliott were rock solid at the back. It all leaves the neighbours with very different priorities when the final round of games comes around in three weeks. Sars will be looking to beat Glen Rovers to take the direct route to the final four as top seeds. Erin's Own will salvage what they can from the wreckage to use against Fr O'Neill's in what will be a must win game. Scorers for Sarsfields: J O'Connor (1-8), J Sweeney (2-0), Colm McCarthy (0-5,0-3 free), K Murphy (1-2), D Hogan (0-5), C Darcy, Cathal McCarthy, C O'Sullivan, B Murphy (0-2 each), S O'Regan, B Graham (0-1 each). Scorers for Erin's Own: R O'Flynn (1-4,1-2 free), C O'Callaghan (2-0), C Lenihan (0-5), E Murphy, P O'Shea, O O'Regan, T Dillon (free), R Twomey, C Dunphy (0-1 each). SARSFIELDS: B Graham; C O'Sullivan (c), Cathal McCarthy, C Leahy; B Murphy, C Roche, L Elliott; D Hogan, K Murphy; C Darcy, Colm McCarthy, J O'Connor; B Nodwell, J Sweeney, S O'Regan. Subs: None ERIN'S OWN: T Dillon; R O'Regan (JC), C Dooley, T O'Connell; C O'Connor, C Dunphy, C McDonnell; Ó O'Regan, P O'Shea; M O'Carroll, R O'Flynn (JC), M O'Riordan; C Lenihan, E Murphy, F O'Brien. Subs: S Irwin for O'Carroll, S Broderick for McDonnell (both h/t), B Óg Murphy for E Murphy (37), C O'Callaghan for O'Brien (39), R Twomey for O'Riordan (42) Referee: Cathal McAllister (Aghada).
Irish Examiner
31 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Niall O'Sullivan: 'It's great to say we're sad we didn't pull it off, that we're disappointed with a draw'
Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC: Midleton 1-15 Newcestown 0-18 This story runs deeper than Newcestown defying the underdog tag in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC in Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday. To put it in context, they are dual club competing at the highest level. More or less the same group of players constantly switching between hurling and football. And after shipping a double-digit defeat to Charleville in round 1, they were up against it, especially taking on 2021 champions Midleton. But they pushed themselves to the limit, determined to get back on track. Richard O'Sullivan was their hero, his sensational point from play levelled the game in the fourth minute of stoppage time - his 11th white flag and there was nothing easy about it either from out the field. Their championship hopes revitalised. 'That's in his locker. A big man for a big game. I think he's 22 or 23, only a young man,' selector Niall O'Sullivan said post-match. 'It's great to say we're sad we didn't pull it off, that we're disappointed with a draw, which is a mark of the lads and their performance. They were outstanding to a man. 'There were questions asked of them two weeks ago, they didn't do themselves justice (against Charleville). They were disappointed. They got a bit of criticism, but they are good guys. 'I've had the privilege of knocking around with them for three years so I know what they can do and what they're made of. 'So, so proud. A bit of pride restored. 'Midleton are a great team, great tradition, recent county champions.' His assessment is correct. The Magpies were semi-finalists in 2024, only failing by a single point to Sarsfields. They may be a tad disheartened but they still are unbeaten, following up from their opening round victory over Newtownshandrum. Conor Lehane, who was closely patrolled by Gearóid O'Donovan, converted seven frees. They got an ideal start when wing-forward Tommy O'Connell grabbed a goal in the first minute after he latched on to a wind-assisted monster puck-out from Bríon Saunderson. The opening exchanges were nip and tuck with only ever a couple of points separating the sides. Luke Meade's sweeper role was vital for Newcestown. Midleton had an opportunity to grab a second goal in the 12th minute but Cathal Wilson saved from Luke O'Farrell. With five minutes to go to the break the score read 1-4 to 0-7, having been tied on five occasions. Midleton closed out scoring five of the final six points, 1-9 to 0-8 ahead at the interval. Newcestown set about wiping out the lead from the off. Seven points to two they outhit Midleton in a highly-productive 21-minute spell. They moved in front for the first time since David Buckley (0-4 overall) pointed in the 14th minute. Midleton regained the lead twice through Lehane, and when Mikey Finn raised a white flag in the 63rd minute, it looked like Micheál Keohane's charges would see it out. O'Sullivan had other ideas. "We're alive and we're in the (Group 2) table,' continued Niall O'Sullivan. 'What these lads put themselves through. We have massive injuries. 'We have football in six days time, that's our next priority and then we will go back and play a bit of hurling. 'Newtownshandrum are next, they're an established senior hurling team. Again, we respect all our opponents. We'll do our best on the day and see how it goes.' Scorers for Midleton: C Lehane (0-7 frees), T O'Connell (1-0), M Finn and C Beausang (0-2 each), R O'Regan, D Cremin, B Saunderson (free) and P White (0-1 each). Scorers for Newcestown: R O'Sullivan (0-11, 0-10 frees), D Buckley (0-4), L Meade (0-2), C Dinneen (0-1). MIDLETON: B Saunderson; L Dineen (J-Capt), E Moloney, T O'Leary Hayes; S O'Meara, C Smyth, R O'Regan; A Quirke, M Finn; D Cremin, C Lehane (J-Capt), T O'Connell; C Beausang, L O'Farrell, P White. Subs: C Walsh for L Dineen (43), P Connaughton for A Quirke (47). NEWCESTOWN: C Wilson; J Kelleher (Capt), E Collins, M McSweeney; Colm O'Donovan, L Meade, C O'Sullivan; G O'Donovan, C Hurley; C Dinneen, R O'Sullivan, J Meade; Ciarán O'Donovan, D Buckley, S O'Sullivan. Subs: E Kenneally for C Hurley (46), D McAree for S O'Sullivan (47), C O'Neill for C O'Donovan (57). Referee: Niall Fahy (Bride Dillons).
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Glen Rovers stars old and new combine to book knockout place
Cork Premier SHC: Glen Rovers 1-19 Fr O'Neill's 0-19 This Cork hurling championship has little interest in suspense. With a round of group games still to run, purchased and taken are four of the six progressing tickets in the top shelf Premier Senior grade. In this Group 1, all tension has been removed from the conversation. With a round still to run, the group is decided and done. Progressing are Sars and Glen Rovers. Eliminated and finished are Erin's Own and Fr O'Neill's. Suspense was an infrequent participant in this Sunday evening contest. The Glen were never led. Fr O'Neill's never once stood level with their city opponents. From the 10th minute onward, the gap was never less than two. The gap was as close as two on just three occasions between the 10th minute and final whistle. Between the quarter-hour mark and 59th minute, the gap was never less than three. The Glen were never in trouble and yet they were never fully in the clear either. Fr O'Neill's were always in contention and yet they never appeared capable of overtaking their opponents. Their inability to do so means back-to-back championship defeats and early elimination. For the Glen, backing up their opening round win over Erin's Own has them back in the knockout stages of the Premier senior grade for the first time since 2022. Glen Rovers manager Tomas Mulcahy. Picture: Howard Crowdy Their position was strong turning around for the second period. Having hurled into a notable breeze, Tomás Mulcahy's men led 1-9 to 0-8 at the break. The goal was a sixth minute Patrick Horgan penalty following a foul on Eoin O'Leary. Horgan also accounted for five of their nine first-half white flags. Among their other contributors were midfielder Micheál Mullins and corner-forward Simon Kennefick. The latter was dangerous each time he was fed, the former continually broke lines and surged into enemy territory. Mullins and Kennefick were responsible for four of the Glen's opening five points of the second period. The midfielder provided the opening pair. He was fouled for another. Kennefick swelled his own tally to three. At 1-14 to 0-11 in front on the three-quarter-hour mark and breeze in their corner, suspense appeared to have gone for an early shower. Credit to Fr O'Neill's. They chiseled away. This Midleton venue was the scene of their Round 2 shock, at the expense of the Barrs, 12 months ago. They never stopped believing a repeat was possible. A Declan Dalton point from the sideline, a Dalton assist to sub Michael Wall, and a Kevin O'Sullivan point cut the margin to three. They would thrice more answer Glen white flags to bring the margin back to three. A foul on Peter Hassett and Dalton conversion on 60 minutes had them within two, 1-17 to 0-18, for the first occasion since the scoreline read 1-4 to 0-5 on 15 minutes. Suspense had a short stay. The Glen names, old and new, buried the comeback in the ground. Mullins manufactured his fourth point. Hoggie was fouled and fired over his ninth. Rob Downey plucked a Fr O'Neill's restart from the clouds. They'll be disappointed with just three points between the 45th and 60th minute. They'll be delighted with how they reasserted control at the finish. With the suspended Dean Brosnan still to return, last year's Senior A champions will be stronger again for the knockout stages. Their intention now is to enter those knockout stages as group winners. County finalists Sars will have to be bettered to realise such. For Fr O'Neill's, their second half surge required a green flag to properly unsettle the three-tone shirt. Their opportunity for that goal arrived eight minutes from time. A free was twice brought forward for dissent. It left Declan Dalton with a 20-metre strike dead straight in front of goal. Glen corner-back Adam Lynch deflected the free out for a 65. The reliance on Dalton was typically large. They hadn't enough threats dotted elsewhere. Their bid for a second successive county quarter-final appearance is over. Scorers for Glen Rovers: P Horgan (1-9, 0-6 frees, 1-0 pen, 0-2 65s); M Mullins (0-4); S Kennefick (0-3); E O'Leary, S Lynam, L Quilligan (0-1 each). Scorers for Fr O'Neill's: D Dalton (0-12, 0-8 frees, 0-2 65s); K O'Sullivan (0-3); John Millerick (0-2); R Cullinane, M Wall (0-1 each). GLEN ROVERS: C Hickey; A Lynch, D Dooling, L Coughlan; B Moylan, R Downey, E Downey; A O'Donovan, M Mullins; E O'Leary, P Horgan, R Dunne; S Kennefick, L Horgan, S Lynam. Subs: L Quilligan for L Horgan, C McCarthy for Dooling (both 45); J Brosnan for O'Donovan (53); D Wall for Lynam (55). FR O'NEILL'S: P O'Sullivan; M Millerick, D Harrington, E Motherway; M O'Keeffe, G Millerick, T Millerick; K O'Sullivan, R Kenneally; R Cullinane, P McMahon, Joseph Millerick; John Millerick, D Dalton, B Dunne. Subs: M Wall for Dunne (12 mins); P Hassett for O'Sullivan (14-15 temporary); P Hassett for Kenneally (58); R Kenneally for G Millerick (62, inj). REFEREE: W King.
