In a match which never quite rose to the same level as the previous week's drawn encounter, Newtownshandrum will feel quite content to have this reached their second county final in a row. They came up against a determined Sarsfields outfit who proved that their display a week ago was far from a once off.

Newtown found themselves trailing by 3 points to 1 early on and then hit a purple patch putting over 8 consecutive points without replay. Credit to Sars in bringing it back to the minimum before half time as Newtown were not to score again for sometime. Indeed things looked worringly bad for the North Cork men as they gave away numerous frees, happily converted by the expert Pat Ryan. Newtown's normal flowing routine was badly misfiring as Sars drew level but once they found their scoring range again, they gradually began to grasp a hold on the game.

The addition of Dan Riordan and Mike Morrissey steadied the ship in the second half and this time they were in no mood to relinquish their lead. Some brave defending late on and excellent goalkeeping by Paul Morrissey allowed them to squeeze through to meet Blackrock in the decider.

Overall, Newtown will be happy to be in the final, but fully aware a major improvement is needed next week. They would have hoped to have learnt more from the drawn encounter and will feel let down by their first touch at times, as well as their inability to win posession in the half forward line.

The first match in Sunday's double header saw an exciting finish where Cloyne will feel desperately unlucky not to have to claimed the scalp of the Rockies. One could not have scripted a better finish as Cloyne were awarded a penalty in injury time with the deficit being just 2 points. Up stepped Maximus himself, Diarmuid O' Sullivan to unleash a piledriver towards goal which cruelly rebounded off the crossbar. It's fair to say the 3 Blackrock defenders didn't see much of the ball until it came back out and the ref blew for full time.

Next weeks final will be certainly be an interesting affair. Blackrock are going for three in a row, while Newtown will be anxious to atone for last years defeat where they felt terribly disappointed at not performing on the day.