07/09/2026
Intermediate Championship Round 3
Dohenys 2-10
Midleton 3-07
Midleton secured a hard-fought point against fancied West Cork outfit Doheny’s in an intense, physical Intermediate Championship clash at a wet and windy Sam Maguire Park in Dunmanway on Sunday 6th Sept. After going into the break trailing by a single point, Midleton turned the game around with a dominant second-half surge, driven by an increased possession share and clinical goal-scoring. The final scoreline read Midleton 3-07 to Dungourney 2-10, ending the match in a dramatic draw or narrow margin depending on total point breakdowns, but marked heavily by Midleton's ability to hunt down goals when it mattered most.
First Half:
The opening half was a closely contested, low-scoring affair characterized by heavy tackling and stray errors from both sides.
Possession was split evenly at 50% / 50%. However, Midleton left multiple scoring chances behind, noting a struggle to cleanly find the hand with passes.
Discipline Issues:
Midleton's free count climbed rapidly, conceding 15 frees in the first half alone, primarily due to technical errors like steps. Thanks to a great Rachel Quirke goal and superb points from Sadhbh and Orla, Doheny’s went into halftime with a narrow advantage. 1-05 to 1-04
Second Half Surge & Tactical Shift
Midleton adjusted significantly in the second period, shifting the momentum in their favour
and grew into the game, claiming 55% of possession compared to Dohenys 45%.
The defining factor for Midleton's second-half resurgence was their clinical finishing. While the first half totals were tight, Midleton exploded for 2 crucial goals in the second half, heavily driven by impact player Lucy Cashman.
The team maintained high-intensity tracking through Lucy Wallace, Viv, Molly and Orla, forcing multiple turnovers in the opposition half while cleaning up dropped balls in possession to sustain attacks.
Every player gave 100% and the subs who played all contributed significantly. Lucy Cashman one of the standout performers of the match, delivering vital scores and capitalizing on critical opportunities to net goals. Orla Farmer continues to roll back the years and showed all her class over the 60 minutes. Molly and Sadhbh contributed consistently across both halves to anchor the team's forward momentum.
After a shaky start, the defence displayed immense work rate with widespread tackling across the board (tracked heavily via individual checkmarks), though early discipline under pressure remains an area for adjustment.
While tactical adjustments yielded a dominant second half (55% possession share), the game highlighted exceptional work rates alongside clear technical focus areas—specifically early-game discipline and handling under pressure.
Second Half Response:
The half time reshuffle cleaned up the tackling profile in the second period, keeping the pressure contained when it mattered most. With a stellar 75% retention return on own kick-outs, this proved to be a significant launch pad for many of the Magpies scoring.
Although Doheny’s looked a threat every time they attacked and scored some wonderful points from play, Midleton’s ability to stay in touch when games are going against them proved vital. Indeed they had a huge chance to win the game at the death when Faye Dunlea was through on goal and as she was about to pull the trigger to tap over what would have been the winner, the referee blew up for over carrying, which seemed to shock even the home supporters in the stand. But overall draw was a fair result although to this reporter it seems very harsh that Midleton do not top the group since the new rules were introduced last month that bizarrely seems to reward defending rather than scoring!
Expanding the shooting registry across the half-forward line will be a key target next Sunday 13th where we take on Douglas in Clonmult at 12 noon in a vital quarter final match.
