Minor County Final 2009

Ulster Bank Cork County Premier Minor Final.

Played at Pairc Ui Rinn, Saturday 24th October 2009.

Blackrock 2 – 13 Midleton 0 – 13

Blackrock bridged a 15 year gap to capture the Premier Minor Cup when they powered away from a very tenacious Midleton team in the final 10 minutes of this rather low key contest played before a fine crowd at Pairc Ui Rinn.

The Rockies looked a better balanced team all though but the pedestrian pace of the match punctuated by frees and over 30 sideline balls, combined with nervousness of both sides seemed to slow down the game until finally Blackrock cut loose and simply overwhelmed a suspect Midleton back line in the final minutes.

Midleton entered the contest as media favourites after their comprehensive victory over the Barrs and seemed to confirm these predictions when they raced into a 4 point lead with the aid of a strong wind after 20 minutes. However it was clear that the Magpies were very dependent on frees which Conor Lehane duly converted. Their forwards lacked a cutting edge and right through Rocky keeper Paul O’Brien had an uneventful day.

Majestic Deasy

Majestic full forward Patrick Deasy then slammed home a goal after 20 minutes to bring the Rockies back into the game. Later the same player broke through again only to see his effort just float to the left of the empty Midleton net.

The interval score was Midleton 0 – 8 Blackrock 1 – 4, however 6 of the Midleton points were from frees by Conor Lehane close to the Blackrock posts. If this source was eliminated, it was difficult to see where scores could be found. That said Captain Paul Haughney was an ever present threat and banged over two fine points in the first half. Patrick O’Mahony and Ian Kenefick for Midleton were also very active.

The Blackrock backs were on top, with Elliot Cantwell in great form. Dylan Stokes, returning from injury and Eoin O’Mara, settled down quickly and gradually kept Midleton’s most dangerous line in check from open play. The full back line of James Heylin, inspirational captain Mark Ryan and Andrew Hayes shackled the inside Midleton forwards and allowed them no leeway. At midfield Eoin O’Farrell was a tower of strength having an outstanding match ably assisted by Luke Conway who was always in the thick of things.

The forwards looked dangerous and it was obvious that if Deasy received a good supply of ball, he would do damage. Donal Cremin in particular had the beating of his man and ran at the Midleton defence at every opportunity.

Second Half

On the turnover, both sides added scores until eventually Blackrock edged a point ahead after 44 minutes when a massive point from 50 yards out on the sideline by Eoin O’Farrell left the scores at 1 – 7 to 0 – 9. Patrick Deasy then landed a massive 65. The Rockies were in the driving seat.

Midleton to their credit fought back to go back into the lead at 0 – 12 to 1 – 8 with a series of points as they attacked the Blackrock defense.

Key moments:

Two incidents turned the game. Referee Diarmuid Kirwan correctly awarded a free out for over carrying as a Midleton forward broke through the Rocky defense. Later a line ball floated across the Midleton square, when Patrick Deasy got the slightest of touches to give Midleton keeper Coran Swayne no chance from close range. That left the score at Blackrock 2 – 8 Midleton 0 – 12.

The Rockies then took over with the half forward line of John Fitzgerald, Paul Bennett and Shane O Keeffe cutting off the Midleton puck outs and with the industrious Michael Ahern and Donal Cremin augmented by Kevin O’Keeffe, who had a goal disallowed, tormenting the Midleton back line, the Rockies pulled away with a series of points.

No classic:

This final was no classic, but as with all finals, the result is all that matters. It was once again heartbreak for sporting Midleton who have lost 4 finals since their last win in 1989. In fact the Rockies last final appearance was in 1994 when they beat Midleton by a single point down in Cobh. The Magpies needed more penetration up front as they never threatened a goal, however they have some really class players in Lehane and Haughney and will take a lot from this defeat. Indeed Midleton were a point ahead after 50 minutes and looked like they might shade it.

Goals win games and Patrick Deasy’s two were vital to the outcome. The dominance of the Blackrock backs was a key factor in the victory. Likewise Eoin O’Farrell’s towering presence at midfield especially in the second half where he confidently fired in ball after ball and gave the forwards the space needed to fashion a fine victory.

Lovely gesture:

Diarmuid O’Donnabhain, Chairman of the Minor Board praised both clubs who have been around since the foundation of the GAA for their contribution to the game of hurling and he hoped both would be present again for the 150th celebrations. In a lovely gesture Diarmuid called on Minor Secretary Jim Healy (also Blackrock Board of Management secretary) to hand over the McGrath Cup to Blackrock captain Mark Ryan.

As Mark thanked all the people associated with the team, many of the coaches, selectors and other mentors who had ensured their long hurling and their coming of age journey through the Primary Rocky Saturday morning set up, through the Juvenile system to this historic victory on the Minor stage looked on with pride.

Blackrock Minor Panel.

Paul O’Brien, James Heylin, Mark Ryan Capt., Andrew Hayes, Dylan Stokes, Elliot Cantwell, Eoin O’Meara, Eoin O’Farrell, ( 0 – 4, 1f) Luke Conway, John Fitzgerald,( 0 – 1) Paul Bennett, Shane O’Keeffe,( 0 – 1) Donal Cremin,( 0 – 2), Partick Deasy, ( 2 – 2, 1p free, 1, 65) Michael Ahern,( 0 – 3, 1f) Kevin O’Keeffe, Paul Delaney, Shane Cunningham, Eoin Smith, Eoin Hickey, Andy O’Connell, Richie Laide, Colman Ruiseal, Shane Keane, Cathal Hannon, Luke Fogarty, Adrian Coyne, Ben Linehan, Eoin O’Leary, Cian Hartnett, Aaron Giltenan, Ronan Devine, Jack English, David Meaney David O’Farrell, David Vaughan, Sean Daly, Stephen O’Brien.

Team Management: David Coakley, Sean Murphy, Kieran O’Sullivan, Paddy Hayes, Tim Ahern, Shay O’Donoghue.