WE'LL NEVER FORGET

Lehane says Midleton driven

- BY PAT NOLAN

CORK star Conor Lehane says that Midleton will be driven by the memory of late clubmen as they bid for glory this weekend.

Midleton face Sarsfields in Sunday's premier senior hurling final at Super-Valu Paire Uf Chaoimh seeking a first county title since 2021 - when Cork All-Ireland winner Ger Fitzgerald (pictured right) was in charge.

Sadly, he succumbed to a battle with illness last March at the age of 60.

It came just days after one of the club's emerging players, Darragh McCarthy, died tragically following a fall from an apartment complex. As a mark of respect, the club retired the No 10 jersey, which hed worn as they claimed Under-21 honours last year, for the 2025 season.

“They were a huge part of the club,’ said Lehane. “Two great people. It’s always going to be on your minds, no matter what, and rightly so, like, they're in our thoughts.