Carbery 6-17

Midleton 1-10

TOM LYONS REPORTS

CARBERY continued their fine form in the county U15 Premier 1 hurling league when registering their third win in four outings with a decisive win over Midleton in Newcestown.

This is the first time Carbery has entered an U15 team in the premier division. Having to field without players from top clubs Ibane Gaels and Bandon, who are already in premier, it was feared that the team would be out of its depth in premier 1.

The very opposite has proved the case as the West Cork lads have taken the scalps of Blackrock, Glen Rovers and now Midleton in convincing style.

Adding to their difficulty is that two of their best players who impressed in earlier games and were promoted to the Cork U15 squad are now not allowed to play with the Carbery team.

After this overwhelming defeat of Midleton, there is now the possibility that the team could lose more of its best players.

Carbery's Tadhg Kelly gets away from Midleton's Caoilfhionn O'Connell during the Rebel Óg U15 Hurling League Group 1 game in Newcestown. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

‘A couple of the lads have been called up to the Cork squad, which is great for hurling in Carbery but, unfortunately, they are not allowed to play with the team now, which is questionable if we want to progress these players properly,’ explained Carbery manager Joe O’Donnell, of Bantry Blues.

‘They were sitting on the bench tonight, very frustrating.

‘Carbery is effectively their club now and not being allowed to play is frustrating for them and for us. Squad players are allowed to play with all the other teams except us, because we’re a divisional side.

‘There’s no guarantee either that we’ll be allowed into the championship later in the year or back in the league next season.

‘Players are getting into the Cork squad because of their performances with us and then they’re not allowed to play with us anymore. That can’t be good for the development of hurling in West Cork.

‘They said there is no hurling in West Cork but these lads are proving the very opposite and they’re really enjoying it.’

This was a tremendous display by Carbery, especially as they lost their best forward, Conor Cullinane, through injury after only 15 minutes. Cullinane had already registered 1-1 before his departure, dominating at centre forward.

Carbery's Jack Twomey coming out with the ball past Midleton's Ewan Quirke Lee. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

With the breeze, Carbery were well in the ascendancy at that stage, leading by 2-5 to 0-2. The first goal from Cullinane arrived in the third minute and the second from outstanding full forward Jack Allen in the 12th minute. The points came from Allen (two from play and one from a free), Cullinane and Calvin O’Brien. Midleton had only two points on the board, from Eoin Magan and Zac Walsh (free).

Scoring slowed in the second quarter as Carbery recovered from Cullinane’s departure and Midleton came more into the game with the use of a sweeper. Carbery had further points from O’Brien (2), Allen (free) and Jack Twomey. Midleton had a solitary point from Caoilfhionn O’Connell in response, as Carbery led 2-9 to 0-3 at half time.

Carbery faced the breeze in the second half, but there was no slacking off and four points in a row from Allen, including three from frees, put them firmly in the driver’s seat.

Zac Walsh had Midleton’s opening point of the half but when wing back Aidan Morgan struck for the first of his two goals for Carbery in the 40th minute, the game was as good as over.

Midleton picked up the pace then with Andrew McSweeney thundering into the game, registering two points followed by a goal in the 43rd minute.

However, the staunch Carbery full-back line was not to be breached again with Seán Evans outstanding in the centre, well flanked by Dylan Barry and Killian O’Sullivan. A big plus was the classy performance of Tadhg Kelly at midfield, well assisted by Calvin O’Brien.

The third quarter finished with Carbery’s fourth goal from Brehon O’Mahony and it was 4-13 to 1-6 entering the final quarter.

Both teams emptied their benches and it was Carbery who still finished stronger with goals from Morgan and sub MacDara O’Mahony, plus points from Allen (two frees) and O’Mahony. Midleton replied with points from Zac Walsh, two from frees and one from play, and Andrew McSweeney. A highlight of the closing minutes was a wonderful triple save from Carbery goalkeeper Eoghan Holland.

‘They performed again tonight just as in the other games, they were brilliant,’ Joe O’Donnell added.

‘The way they are playing the ball around, working for each other, playing as a team. They’re good hurlers, doing everything we’re asking of them. Good buddies now, all integrating and they’re really enjoying it, the main thing.’

OUR STAR: Seán Evans at full back and Jack Allen at full forward stood out for Carbery but the classy, hard-working display of midfielder Tadhg Kelly earns our vote.

Scorers

Carbery: Jack Allen (7f) 1-9; Aidan Morgan 2-0; Conor Cullinane, MacDara O’Mahony 1-1 each; Brehon O’Mahony 1-0; Calvin O’Brien 0-3; Jack Twomey, Tadhg Kelly 0-1 each.

Midleton: Andrew McSweeney 1-3; Zac Walsh (3f) 0-5; Caoilfhionn 0'Connell and Eoin Magan 0-1 each.

Carbery: Eoghan Holland (Sam Maguires); Dylan Barry (Newcestown), Seán Evans (do.), Killian O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues); Jack Twomey (Newcestown), Tadhg Hickey (do.), Aidan Morgan (do.); Calvin O’Brien (Bantry Blues), Tadhg Kelly (Newcestown); Eoin Burke (Ahán Gaels), Conor Cullinane (Owen Gaels), Jack Hegarty (St James); Tommy Newman (Sam Maguires), Jack Allen (Newcestown), Daniel Cronin (Kilbrittain).

Subs: Alan Minihane (St Colum’s), Brehon O’Mahony (St James), Jake Burke (St James), MacDara O’Mahony (Newcestown), Shane Cronin (Bantry Blues), Luke Barry (Newcestown), Jack Dineen (Ahán Gaels), Matthew Hayes (Clonakilty).

Midleton: Charlie Kenneally; Devan Dennehy, Seán Barry, Jack Twohig; Harry Cronin, Jack McSweeney, Andrew McSweeney; Tadhg Cronin, Caoilfhionn O’Connell; Eoin Magan, Ewan Quirke Lee, Zac Walsh; Jack Flynn, Harry Lutz, Callan McCarthy.

Subs: Rhys Hurley, Aiden Harrington, Sam Mulcahy.

Referee: Olan O’Donovan (Clonakilty).