The Corkman
Friday, October 16th 2003

Newtownshandrum are back in action on Sunday 19th October when they face Ballycoskerry Rovers (Ballyhea-Liscarroll) in the Premier County MHC final in Buttevant at 3.30pm.

Already these sides met in the opening round of the championship in July at Charleville with Ballycoskerry Rovers winning by 3-12 to 1-5.

The Rovers scores in that game came from Neil Buckley 2-5, Maurice O'Sullivan 0-5, Stephen O'Sullivan 1-0, John William O'Brien and John O'Riordan 0-1 each. Newtown had their 1-5 from Stephen Kelleher 1-0, James Bowles 0-3, Michael Thompson and Willie O'Mahony 0-1 each.

Ballycoskerry Rovers (Ballyeah-Liscarroll) advanced to the quarterfinal while Newtownshandrum had to face a tricky assignment against Inniscarra.

In that game at Mallow it was very close, the sides were level at half time 1-5 each. The sides were also level after 56 minutes play. Newtown had two late points by Stephen Kelleher and James Bowles to emerge close winners by 2-13 to 1-14. Their 2-13 in that game came from James Bowles 0-7, Gerry O'Mahony 0-4, Stephen Kelleher 1-1, Christopher Morrissey 1-0 and Fred Young 0-1.

In the quarterfinals Ballycoskerry Rovers met last year's county Minor (A) champions Ballinhassig in Coachford. Once again the North Cork side proved to be too strong for their opponents and the Rovers emerged winners by 2-16 to 2-8.

Maurice O'Sullivan and Neil Buckley were joint top scorer with 0-7 and 1-4 respectively. John O'Riordan 1-0, Barry Coleman 0-2, Eoin O'Sullivan 0-2, John William O'Brien 0-1.

Newtown in their quarterfinal met Erins Own in Fermoy. Erins Own had beaten Mallow in the previous round. Again a very close game took place with Newtownshandrum emerging winners by 3-10 to 0-11.

The Newtown scores came from Sean O'Riordan 2-0, James Bowles 0-5, Christopher Morrissey 1-1, Gerry O'Mahony 0-3, and Diarmuid Lane 0-1.

Four days later Newtownshandrum met Midleton in the semi-final in Castletownroche. This was their toughest game with Midleton having beaten last year's county finalists Duhallow in the quarterfinal. Newtown was trailing 3-6 to 1-8 with seven minutes to go.

A great team effort in the last few minutes saw James Bowles score two goals and a point to lead 3-9 to 3-6 at the final whistle. The Newtown scores in that semi-final came from James Bowles 3-2, Gerry O'Mahony 0-2, Frederick Young 0-2, Christopher Morrissey 0-2, Willie O'Mahony 0-1.

The following Saturday Ballycoskerry Rovers were in action in their county semi-final against Valley Rovers in Pairc Ui Rinn.

The Avondhu side had their toughest game on this occasion and they emerged winners by 2-11 to 1-10. Both the Ballycoskerry Rovers and Valley Rovers had 3 Cork minors each. The Rovers scores in that semi-final came from Maurice O'Sullivan 1-4, Neil Buckley 1-1, Barry Coleman 0-2, Eoin O'Sullivan, John W.O'Brien, Gavin Morrissey and John O'Riordan 0-1 each which set up an all-North Cork county final.

Looking at Sunday's county final it is sure to draw a huge crowd to the Buttevant venue. The Ballyhea side will start favourites having already beaten Newtown in the first round. Ballyhea also beat their rivals in the Under 21 (A) HC.

Newtownshandrum, no doubt, have improved greatly since their meeting in July with close victories in their lead to the final.

Ballycoskerry Rovers have a very well balanced side and have done very well in the county Premier Hurling league, they will look to Maurice O'Sullivan, Eoin O'Sullivan, Barry Coleman (three Cork minors this year) along with John O'Riordan, Neil Buckley, Micahel Morrissey, Edward Rea, John William O'Brien and outstanding goalkeeper Dan O'Donoghue.

Newtownshandrum will be looking for top performances from James Bowles - who played with Cork minors in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Offaly - Gerry O'Mahony, Fred Young and Willie O'Mahony, who are all members of the senior county championship winning side.

Other key players in their side are Diarmuid Lane, Shane Moran, William Coughlan, Stephen Kelleher and Christopher Morrissey.

Two years ago Ballycoskerry Rovers beat Glen Rovers in the Premier County Under-16 hurling final - the same group of players also reached the County Under-14 hurling final losing narrowly.

Two years ago Newtownshandrum reached the County Under 16 (A) HC final losing narrowly to Douglas.

Sunday's final promises to be a great contest with the winner meeting Bishopstown in the county final proper.