The Corkman
by Pat Ryan
Thursday, 15th July 2002

On Sunday evening 18th August 2002, in Kilworth Newtownshandrum and Erin's Own are in action in the TSB Co SHC quarter final. This is a repeat of 2000 Co. SHC final where Newtownshandrum had a 0-13 to 1-8 win over Erins Own.

Since then Newtownshandrum and Erins Own have struggled a bit in the championship. Last year Newtownshandrum lost out heavily to Imokilly. Erins Own have a number of the All Ireland winning minor hurling side of 2001 in their side and have a very good blend of youth and experience. Erins Own had a close win last weekend over Cloyne in the replay. Newtown miss Ian Kelleher and Donal Mulcahy both of whom have emigrated.

They have a new player in Maurice O'Farrell from Co. Limerick who has fitted in well. Newtown put on a massive display against Midleton in their last round. It promises to be a terrific tussle between two evenly matched sides.

Newtownshandrum may have the extra drive for success as they would love a county semi final meeting with either neighbours Ballyhea or Avondhu.

This game should draw a huge following to the newly refurbished Buttevant grounds that are now in splendid condition. Ballyhea and Avondhu met in the Co. SHC second round on July 9, 1993, when Avondhu emerged winners by 3-9 to 1-9.

Avondhu still have a connection with that side with Fergal McCormack still involved. Ballyhea have anumber of players that played in 1993 still in their side Ollie Morrissey, Aidan O'Connor, Darren Ronan, Eamonn Morrissey and Ian Ronan.

In 1996 Avondhu took the Co. SHC title after a lapse of 30 years. Just four players are still involved this year from the 1996 side: Fergal McCormack, Shane Killeen, Dave Moher and Diarmuid Lynch. William Twomey, Kilworth, a current key player was on the Avondhu panel that year while Conor Hannon, current Avondhu coach, was a player in '93 and '96.

Ballyhea have made little progress in the Co. SHC in recent years. In 2000 they had three games with Cloyne before eventually losing narrowly.

They came back to beat Seandun but lost to Muskerry in the quarter final. In 2001 Ballyhea beat Midleton in the first round easily but lost to Sarsfields by a single point in the next round after the sides had been level on ten occasions.

In the current Co. SHC campaign Glen Rovers had a single point win over them in the first round. Ballyhea came back well to defeat Seandun by 0-22 to 2-11 and followed with a win over Carbery by 0-18 to 0-15.

Avondhu on the other hand had a 1-17 to 1-11 win over Castlelyons and followed with a huge win over Douglas in a very onesided game in Fermoy.

Ballyhea had a poor league run in the Co. SHL but for most of their games they were missing their leading forward Neil Ronan who was tied up with the Co. senior hurlers. They have a young side with many players that won the Divisional Under 21 (A) hurling championships of '95 and '96 along with a number of last year's minor hurlers who won the Co MAHC title.

Avondhu have a strong connection with Charleville last year's JAHC winners and county finalists. Key players from Charleville are John Quinlan, Mervyn Gammell, Alan O'Connor, Thomas Fitzgibbon and Dessie Fitzgerald.

The Avondhu half back line of Damian McNamara, Alan O'Connor and Thomas Fitzgibbon is one of the strong lines in Avondhu's line up wth the inside forwards of Pa Dineen, Mervyn Gammell and John Quinlan also very much to the fore.

Ballyhea have a very solid keeper in Ollie Morrissey while their half back line of Sean Curtin, Eamonn Morrissey and Aidan O'Connor is very experienced. Up front they will look to the Ronanas: Neil, Ian and Darren.

It promises to be a very close contest wiht the prize at stake a Co. semi final meeting with either Newtownshandrum or Erins Own.