Irish Examiner
by Brendan Larkin
Saturday, 31st August 2002

Maybe, just maybe, hurling followers in Cork will finally get that big game they have been craving all season when Avondhu and Newtownshandrum clash in the semi-final of the permanent tsb SHC at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday 1st September at 4pm.

The ingredients are there for a cracking contest between two teams from North Cork, which has captured the imagination of followers in that strong hurling division. Both teams are previous winners of the title in the last 10 years, Avondhu in 1996 and Newtown in 2000, and the fact that the club team beat tomorrow's opponents on the way to their title win, only adds to the sense of anticipation about the eagerly-awaited clash. Many felt that Newtown would be the only team to pose a problem for Blackrock in defence of their title, but the 2000 champions weren't quite as convincing in their quarter-final win over Erin's Own as was expected.

There wasn't the same fluency in their play as in previous outings, and maybe the absence of Gerry O'Connor for three-quarters of that game had something to do with that.

Pat Mulcahy was their man of the match in that game, giving a superb display at centre-back, the feature of which was his ability to win the ball out of the air, power forward and score. His brother Donal is back after a spell in Australia, to add a bit more power up front, and if Gerry O'Connor is completely free of the hamstring injury that curtailed his involvement against Erin's Own, then Newtown will prove more than a handful for the divisional side. On the other hand, and even allowing for the weakness of the opposition, Avondhu looked the part against Ballyhea in their quarter-final tie recently.

Their hurling was crisp and tough, and they chalked up the impressive tally of 2-19, which could have been at least another eight points more had their forwards not wasted hard-earned possession in front of goal.

Avondhu's chances of reversing their defeat of two years ago by Newtown have been greatly boosted by the availability of Austin Walsh and Jonathan O'Callaghan, two very experienced players at this level.

Selector John Keane is a bit concerned that his team has not been tested in any of their games to-date, and they don't know just how good they are. "We owe them one for two years ago, and if we can match their passion and determination, stay close to them for the first 15 minutes, I would be confident of winning", he said.

"There is a great buzz in north Cork about the game and a huge crowd is expected to travel."

"We have the players to win it, but they must perform to their maximum. The real pity here is that one of us has to go out."

"It would have been the dream final."

Because of their greater selection of players, Avondhu will start favourites to reach the final for the first time since 1996 when they defeated Imokilly to bridge a 30-year gap.

Their team is built around the Charleville and Mallow clubs who between them will supply six players. Mervyn Gammell will captain the side from full forward and will have his clubmate John Quinlan along side him.

If Quinlan has a weakness it's his tendency to carry the ball too far. He's a powerfully built youngster standing at over six feet, but would be a far better player if he got rid of the sliotar quicker. He's also an excellent free-taker and will punish any indiscretions by the Newtown defence from any distance.

The Mallow trio of Fergal McCormack, Tadhg Riordan and Pa Dineen, all of whom play in attack, couple with brave goalkeeper Mike Morrissey who won a minor All-Ireland medal with Cork in 1998, Austin Walsh and Jonathan O'Callaghan, made this particular Avondhu side a team to be respected.