by Fintan O'Toole

Seven days ago, Jerry O'Connor had an opportunity to register a point which would have seen Newtownshandrum safely through to the Cork County Senior Hurling Final.

On that occassion his shot was blocked, but when an opening for a score presented itself nearing the conclusion of this replay he made amends by clipping the ball between the posts.

This vital score applied the coup de grace to Newtown's performance and confirmed their participation once again in next Sunday's final against Blackrock.

Ultimately, this result carries with it some justification as Newtown hurled better and harder than Sarsfields. Their defence was physical and tough while in attack they possessed more options than their opponents.

Above all their willingness to work hard at the coalface of the action proved vital. the display from the O'Connor brothers was inevitably crucial and it seemed apposite that they were to go on and score the final two points of the game.

James Bowles was also impressive at full-forward while Pat Mulcahy and Phil Noonan were prominent in defence.

In contrast Sarsfields failed to threaten in attack and were too reliant on Pat Ryan's scoring contribution from placed balls.

The fact that they only scored five points from play tells its own tale. After the thrilling denouement to the opening match between Blackrock and Cloyne, this match initially appeared likely to materialise into a damp squib. Sarsfields lead 0-3 to 0-1 after just six minutes before Newtown proceeded to exert complete control over the game, shooting a staggering seven points within the next ten minute period of the game.

The O'Connors scored five between them with Bowles (2) and Alan T.O'Brien also pointing. Sarsfields were struggling, particularly in their defence, which was bereft of the imposing Paul Roche.

However, they recovered excellently and Newtown amazingly failed to score for the remainder of the half.

The improved play of teh omnipresent Cian Kennedy and Pat Ryan increased the possession available for their attack where Kieran Murphy was prominent.

And with Pat Ryan laser-accurate from placed balls, they erased Newtown's advantage and left the interval scoreline tied at 0-9 to 0-9/

The most striking aspect of the opening period was the high quality of points scored and this increased the entertainment value of the match.

The second half did not provide as much open space and subsequently the levels of scoring decreased. Ben O'Connor finally broke the deadlock when he converted a '65 and quckly followed this with a pointed free.

James Bowles and Jerry O'Connor tacked on further scores with Sarsfields reply being a lone Tadhg Og Lynch point. Sarsfields fingers were rapidly losing their grip on the cliff of the game but to their credit they improved.

Kevin Goggin began to dominate at centre-back and this gave them a platform from which to attack. Pat Ryan pointed two frees but their failure to level matters proved decisive. Their shootingwas wayward ona couple of occasions while the Newtown defence was resolute and impregnable.

Yet they still found themselves only a point in arrears when Paul Goggin scored with two minutes remaining. However in a climax, which was fraught with tension and excitment, the only scoring was done by Newtown with the O'Connors points prolonging their adventure in this year's Cork County Senior Hurling Championship.

Ben O'Connor in action against Sarsfield
in the County Senior Hurling Semi-Final
at Pairc Ui Chaoimh