St Colmcille’s Under 12 hurlers maintained their impressive unbeaten run in the Rebel Óg East Hurling League with a hard-earned 2-8 to 1-9 victory over Midleton 2 in Midleton Park South Complex on Wednesday evening.
Having won their previous outings comfortably, this was by far the sternest test faced by this talented group of players. Against a strong and skilful Midleton side, Colmcille’s were forced to dig deep and show tremendous resilience when the game swung against them in the second half.
The visitors made an excellent start and led 0-7 to 0-1 at half-time. RJ Whitley was in superb form early on, striking two fine points from play, while Michael Looney contributed four scores, including two frees. Zach Forde also added a point as Colmcille’s dominated possession and created the better chances.
Midleton emerged with renewed energy after the break. Luke Butler inspired the home side with an impressive scoring display, and when he converted a free for a goal midway through the half, Midleton had turned the game around and moved into the lead. It was a situation this Colmcille’s team had rarely faced this season, but their response was outstanding.
RJ Whitley reignited the challenge with a well-taken goal from play before adding another point to keep Colmcille’s in touch. With the contest finely balanced and tension rising, Zach Forde produced the decisive moment of the match, finishing clinically to the net for what proved to be the winning goal.
There was still time for Colmcille’s to withstand sustained Midleton pressure, showing great composure and determination in defence ,where Ben O’Leary and Liam O’Donovan played very solid games, to protect their advantage until the final whistle.
The visitors may also feel unlucky with a legitimate-looking point from RJ Whitley waved wide, while Midleton benefited from a score that appeared to have drifted outside the posts. Fortunately, neither decision affected the outcome of a game played in excellent spirit by two very good teams and expertly officiated by referee David Flemming.
Most pleasing of all for the Colmcille’s coaches will be the character shown by their players when faced with adversity, a quality that could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
TEAMS (13-a side)
St. Colmcille’s
1 – Cillian Buckley
2 – Liam O’Donovan
3 – Ollie Roche
5 – Fionn Casey
6 – Donncha Harte
7 – Ben O’Leary
8 – Zach Forde (1-01)
9 – Michael Looney (0-04, 3 frees)
10 – Luke Hegarty
11 – Noah Foley
12 – Darragh Quinlan
13 – RJ Whitley (1-03)
14 – Cayden Ramsey
SUBS USED: Ben Kennefick, Harry O’Donovan and Brody Forde
Midleton
1 – Mathew Ivors
2 – Dylan O’Reilly
3 – Brian O;Connor
5 – Nathan Hodnett O’Brien
6 – Ollie Morgan
7 – Jesse Loesberg (0-01)
8 – Luke Butler (1-07, all frees)
9 – Conor O Bric
10 – Sean O’Dea
11 – Jaxon Tierney (0-01)
12 – Daniel Riordan
13 – Cillian Barry
14 – Conor Breathnach
SUBS USED: George Glennon, Will Murphy, Evan O’Brien, Liam O’Leary