Midleton CBS 2-12

CBC Cork 0-14

Fintan O’Toole reports from Páirc Uí Rinn

MIDLETON CBS WERE the last Cork outfit to reach the summit at the elite level of Munster schools hurling and they repeated that feat this afternoon to lift the Dr Harty Cup after a barren spell since 2006.

Midleton CBS players celebrate their victory. Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

7,089 spectators packed into Páirc Uí Rinn to witness an all-Cork decider with the match swinging in the direction of Midleton due to the two goals that they pounced for and their capacity to beat away the CBC Cork efforts at the other end.

Christians were featuring in a final at this level for the first time in 101 years but were rocked early with Jason Hankard notching the opening score of the game as he netted in the 3rd minute, touching home a long delivery for the East Cork outfit.

The match ebbed and flowed thereafter with the superb markmanship from placed balls on both sides a shining feature. CBC’s Padraig Power finished with 0-10 while Ryan McCarthy (0-6) and Ross O’Regan (0-4) shared the duties effectively for Midleton CBS.

Midleton CBS avenged last year's final loss to Ardscoil Rís. Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

The teams were level five times in the opening period and deadlocked three times after the interval before the second critical Midleton goal arrived to break open the game in the 53rd minute. Joe Stack did brilliantly to fetch a long-range free from McCarthy and after his first shot was blocked, the sliotar spun in the air for Stack to smash in his shot.

With the Midleton rearguard in heroic form, they ensured they would not ship a goal at the other end. Goalkeeper Jack McGann was a model of composure all day while full-back Dylan Hogan and centre-back Ciaran Joyce grew in prominence as they repelled the CBC Cork efforts.

CBC Cork's Carthach Daly in action against Midleton CBS player Ross O'Regan. Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Midleton CBS had lost last year’s final but settled quickly here as they race into a 1-1 to 0-0 advantage. But the accuracy of Power, he struck 0-6 in the first half, saw CBC push in front by 0-7 to 1-2. Yet McCarthy stepped up for Midleton in a scoring sense to help ensure the teams were tied at 1-7 to 0-10 at the break.

The teams were closely matched in the second half but goalkeeper McGann made a marvellous save to tip away a goalbound effort from Niall Hartnett and CBC were foiled on another occasion when Midleton’s defence scrambled to clear as Power advanced.

And then Stack intervened for that goal, finding the net after he had been denied in the first half by a stunning save from CBC’s Cathal Long. That score pushed them in front 2-10 to 0-13 and despite Power responding with a point for CBC, a pair of converted frees from O’Regan rounded off the success for Midleton.

Scorers for Midleton CBS: Ryan McCarthy 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Joe Stack 1-1, Ross O’Regan 0-4 (0-2f), Jason Hankard 1-0, Cathal Hickey 0-1.

Scorers for CBC Cork: Padraig Power 0-10 (0-9f), Declan Hanlon 0-2, Shane Barrett, Owen McCarthy 0-1 each.

Midleton CBS

1. Jack McGann (Kiltha Óg)

2. Cormac O’Brien (Midleton)

3. Dylan Hogan (Killeagh)

4. Dylan Healy (Kiltha Óg)

5. Ritchie Landers (Killeagh)

6. Ciaran Joyce (Kiltha Óg)

7. Darragh Moran (Kiltha Óg)

8. Sam Quirke (Midleton)

9. Ryan McCarthy (Killeagh)

10. Gary Carroll (Midleton)

11. Cathal Hickey (Lisgoold)

12. Ross O’Regan (Midleton)

13. Kian Farmer (Midleton)

14. Joe Stack (Kiltha Óg)

15. Jason Hankard (Fr O’Neills)

Subs

20. Olan Broderick (Killeagh) for Landers (34)

22. Arthur Nganou (Midleton) for Quirke (49)

18. Peter Hassett (Fr O’Neills) for Hickey (59)

CBC Cork

1. Cian Long (Glen Rovers)

2. David Barry (Sarsfields)

3. Peadar Hennessy (Mallow)

17. Carthach Daly (Lismore)

5. Gearóid Mulcahy (Glen Rovers)

6. Iarlaith Daly (Lismore)

7. Cillian O’Donovan (Douglas)

8. Declan Hanlon (Blarney)

9. Kevin Finn (Midleton)

10. Shane Barrett (Blarney) (captain)

11. Niall Hartnett (Douglas)

12. Pádraig Power (Blarney)

13. Owen McCarthy (Inniscarra)

14. Jack O’Kelly (St Finbarr’s)

15. Jack Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)

Subs

19. James Scally (Bishopstown) for McCarthy (49)

21. Robbie Cotter (Blackrock) for O’Kelly (59)

4. Conor Murphy (Sarsfields) for Mulcahy (inj) (62)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

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