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far too strong for Avondhu The Irish Examiner When your defence scores almost as many points as the opposition forwards and still the manager isn't satisfied you know you're part of a seriously ambitious side. That was the case yesterday in balmy Pairc Ui Chaoimh, as little Newtownshandrum overwhelmed the combined might of their own division. Half-backs Alan O'Brien and Pat Mulcahy combined for three points, impressive substitute corner-back Maurice Farrell added another, but even amidst the after-match dressing-room euphoria, manager Tom Ryan still found cause for concern. "Avondhu got two vital goals, two body blows for us in the first half, but even though they were good goals, they were down to mistakes in our defence that we haven't been making all year." Those two goals made the half-time score 0-11 to 2-3 in favour of the club side, but Ryan found little consolation in that lead. In fact, he was annoyed. Not that he was totally critical - no one could be, given the authority which Newtown showed from one end of the field to the other. They can look forward with some confidence to that meeting with Blackrock, winners of the first semi-final. It took Newtown, the 2000 champions, some time to get into their stride, Avondhu making the early running, taking a 1-1 to 0-1 lead after nine minutes courtesy of a fine strike from corner-forward John Quinlan (he also got the second.) Gradually, however, the Newtownshandrum machine clicked into gear and the scores started to come. Points in bunches, John Paul King and Mike Morrissey with a pair each, Jerry O'Connor adding another, and inside, twin brother Ben tormenting Diarmuid Lynch. Ben ended the half with four points, two from play, but only last minute fumbling and some desperate defending from Lynch prevented that from being more like 2-4 to 3-4.
Restart however, and just the tonic Newtown needed. The game wasn't even 20 seconds old when Jerry, who had covered acres of territory in the first half but was now situated inside, broke behind the cover. Pace and precision did the rest, green flag, followed by another procession of points from the green and gold, interrupted briefly by a couple of Avondhu points and another Newtown goal. John Paul King this time, having moved into the corner with the introduction of Donal Mulcahy, Ben O'Connor the provider after a long clearance from Pat Mulcahy. That goal came in the 51st minute, put Newtownshandrum 2-14 to 2-5 ahead, and this one was in the bag. Still, Ryan, former Limerick manager, the bitter experience of two All-Ireland final losses behind him, is right to be wary. In their win over Sarsfields, reigning champions and current favourites Blackrock may not have looked all that impressive, but they can and will improve. Ryan knows that, knows his side will have to wind it up another notch, if they are to notch up their second senior title in three years. They can, too. Scorers: | ||
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