Niall O'Sullivan: 'It's great to say we're sad we didn't pull it off, that we're disappointed with a draw'
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).
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