Fourteen points from Conor Lehane inspired Midleton into the quarter finals of the Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship.
Lehane played a captain's role as they edged a tight tussle with Érin's Own in the final round of group games, winning out by 0-23 to 1-17 for a finish.
It ensures their place in the quarter finals where they'll take on Newtownshandrum, as they bid to go one step further than last year when losing the final to Sarsfields.
Lehane has been a mainstay of the Midleton senior team for years, having won his first county title in 2013 when he scored a remarkable 2-10 (2-7 from play) in the final.
He won his second in 2021 as captain, scoring 0-13 (0-5 from play) as they denied Glen Rovers, and he's chasing a third now.
The 32-year-old showed his enduring class on Sunday, scoring an array of points from all angles and distances, from frees and from open play as Midleton showed their credentials once again.
It's more than a decade on from 2013 now, and speaking to TG4 after the game, Lehane reflected on how his role has changed in the team with lots of young players surrounding him, such as Mikey Finn who hit 0-3 from play.
"Unbelievable. Ten years ago, them guys were playing under-11 and 12.
"It's a pleasure playing with them, the heart and skill they have is brilliant.
"The age-gap is huge but the way we get on outside of it is hugely important, and I think that stands to us when we come onto the pitch," said Lehane.
'They're a great team and we love playing against them'🗣️
Smaointe Conor Lehane tar éis an chluiche i bPáirc Uí Rinn.
BEO/LIVETG4 AR @TG4TV 📺 @OfficialCorkGAA #GAABeo pic.twitter.com/Fjb5u1tY7u
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 8, 2024
Midleton lost out by two points to Sarsfields in last year's final but Lehane says Micheál Keohane's side have parked their disappointment, and are fully focused on this year.
"Last year was great getting to the final, but the fashion we lost in was heart-breaking," he said.
"We've parked it, we'd a quick chat at the start of the year to close off that chapter, just to make sure we're focused on getting the momentum back for next year.
'It's put to the side, whatever we learned from it is brought forward.
"The level of teams and the standard that's out there is incredible so we're taking it a game at a time."
Lehane was part of the Cork panel that lost this year's All-Ireland final to Clare and he told TG4's Micheál Ó Domhnaill with a smile that winning another county championship would be a 'starting point' to getting over that loss.
"A lot has to happen to make up for that but, certainly, it's a starting point."
Cork Premier SHC Quarter final draw
*Sarsfields straight through to semi-finals
Midleton v Newtownshandrum
Blackrock v Kanturk
Fr O’Neills v Imokilly.
