Midleton Retain Their Senior Status

Midleton retained their Senior status after they defeated Richmond 29-17 in a thrilling contest at the Towns Park, in the All Ireland League Division 2C Relegation playoff in front of a very large crowd.

A good start by Midleton saw them take the lead after five minutes with a try and conversion by Stuart Lee.

Midway through the half, Tadgh Bennett opened Richmond’s account with a penalty but a quick response by Midleton saw Rob Hickey touch down and Lee converted. Richmond were dominating the scrums but were being outplayed in the lineouts.

Two minutes into the second half Lee extended Midleton’s advantage with a penalty to 17-3.

A yellow card for Midleton’s Denis Broderick midway through the second half saw Richmond draw level with tries from Brian Mullins and Shane Halpin, both of which Bennett converted.

However, Midleton were on top in the closing stages, and tries by Mark Corby and Ryan Lehane and a Lee conversion ensured Midleton would remain a Senior club for next season.

Midleton: A Malone; J Deady, R Daly, J Colbert, J Power; S Lee (c), K Read; M Corby, D O’Sullivan, D O’Keeffe; R Lehane, D Broderick; M Stanton, F McCarthy, R Hickey.

Replacements: C Smiddy; F O’Connell, G McIntyre, A McCarthy, M O’Driscoll, G Collins, C Lynch, T Sheehan.

Richmond: R Meagher, S Halpin, K Stephenson, B Mullins, J McNamara; T Bennett, T O’Brien; N Clancy, D Joyce, J Reeves; C McMahon, B Laffan; G Kirwan, A Somers, E Hanley.

Replacements: E Daly, S Bennett, S O’Connell, L Bennett, C Carew, J Dillon, D Cotter, R Kelleher.

Referee: S Kierans (IRFU).