IT WILL BE an all-East Cork final on Leeside this year after Sarsfields and Midleton both triumphed in today’s county senior hurling semi-final action.
Sarsfields had nine points to spare over Ballymartle in the curtain-raiser at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
While Midleton joined them in the decider with a comprehensive success over Na Piarsaigh in the second game at the venue this afternoon.
Sarsfields 0-24
Ballymartle 1-12
SARSFIELDS remain on course to retain their Cork senior hurling title after they claimed a nine-point win over Ballymartle today.
For the fifth time in six years Sarsfields will feature in a county decider and they will bid on November 3rd to add to the titles they claimed in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
They proved far too strong for a Ballymartle side who had been attempting to reach their first ever Cork senior decider.
Ballymartle had got off to a dream start with Killian McCarthy bagging a goal as they raced into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.
But Sarsfields drew level by the 11th minute and with Cian McCarthy and Daniel Kearney leading the way, Sarsfields were in front by 0-9 to 1-3 by the 23rd minute.
Ballymartle tried to stay in touch with Darren McCarthy, the Cork sub goalkeeper who plays outfield for his club, on the mark yet they were adrift by 0-14 to 1-4 at the break.
Indeed the situation could have been worse when Cian McCarthy sized up a penalty for Sarsfields just before half-time but his effort was stopped and Michael Cussen pointed the rebound.
Ballymartle tried to stay in touch and trailed by 0-19 to 1-11 with nine minutes left. But Sarsfields closed out the game in style, outscoring their opponents by 0-5 to 0-1 in the finale, to claim a nine-point success.
Conor Lehane was in action for Midleton today.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Midleton 2-21
Na Piarsaigh 1-6
MIDLETON will contest a Cork senior hurling final for the first time since 1994 after they impressively despatched Na Piarsaigh today.
Midleton’s young side have been developing in recent years but this was a significant step as they reached the decider to atone for their semi-final loss in 2011 to Carrigtwohill.
It was Na Piarsaigh who got off to a bright start with a goal from Cian Buckley as they sought to build on their quarter-final win over Glen Rovers.
But Midleton moved back into contention soon after and were ahead by 0-7 to 1-2 by the 20th minute. Then goals from Aidan Ryan and Conor Lehane before the break helped Midleton lead 2-8 to 1-3 at half-time.
The second-half was one-way traffic with Lehane taking his scoring tally on the day to 1-8 while fellow Cork senior Luke O’Farrell also got in on the scoring act.
Substitute Cormac Walsh made an impression as well in the scoring stakes as Midleton booked their spot in the decider on November 3rd.
