by Mark Woods
Evening Echo
Friday, October 3rd 2003

The answers to two key questions will determine who wins the Sarsfields Newtownshandrum semi replay at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday Oct 5th.

This will be Sars' third game in two-and-a-half weeks and the heavy toll could impact on their prospects of advancing to the final the following week.

Should they succeed at the second attempt in their fifth championship game, Sars would have to play for the fourth time in less than a month. That's for another day, however. More pertinent is how they are going to cope with a Newtown side whose problems are of a contrasting nature.

Last Saturday's drawn encounter was the North Cork club's first game since accounting for Imokilly in the quarter-final on August 23 and Newtown could point to a certain rustiness in their performance.

So, two teams with varying degrees of preparation meet head-on for the second time in a week. Replays tend to differ greatly from the drawn encounter, yet this latest installment is difficult to call on the evidence of the first day, when Sars scored 2-13 to Newtown's 1-16.

Newtown appear to have no injury doubts. Ben O'Connor was reportedly bothered by a neck injury before the drawn game, but showed no ill effects while scoring 0-8. Everyone knows the threat posed by Ben and twin brother Jerry down the left flank of the attack. They are a lethal combination, possessing pace and skill in equal measure and their point scoring is a joy to behold.

John and Ben O'Connor take a break from training
before Sunday's county SHC semi-final replay against Sarsfields.

Identifying the danger is one matter, providing a solution is an entirely different proposition altogether. Sars' predicament is compounded by the anticipated loss of full-back Paul Roche, who was forced off in the second-half with an ankle injury.

While they fuss over what way to lay out their defence, Sars will hope that centre-back Kevin Goggin can repeat his impressive display on Mike Morrissey. Goggin was so much on top that the flame haired Newtown attacker was replaced within five minutes of the re-start and Jerry O'Connor moved to the '40 instead.

In a counter argument Newtown will expect a lot more from Morrissey, who can be a match winner on his day, exemplified by his 0-5 contribution against Ballyhea in the third round.

An interesting positional development last time out concerned Sars half-forward line. They picked three tall, imposing players to fill the positions and invariably the puck outs from goalkeeper and captain Paddy Gahan were caught by Garvan McCarthy or Ray Ryan out wide.

Ryan suffered a back injury late in the first game and his availability is important to their chances of staying alive in the championship. The decision to pick John O'Connor at centre-forward in direct opposition to Cork defender Pat Mulcahy also assisted Sars' cause.

The skillful Newtown player wasn't allowed dominate as his custom until he thundered into the fray in the exciting closing stages, when he cleared some vital balls.

Conditions are likely to be a factor as well. Favourable weather and a firm pitch helped the sliotar move a week ago. Rain earlier in the week could slow the pace of the game this time and that would suit Sars, who've bigger and stronger players.

Are Newtown the fresher outfit? Can Sars cope with a demanding schedule? The answers will be know after 5pm on Sunday.