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The Evening Echo The message was loud and clear, it's going to take a team of exceptional quality to strip Newtownshandrum of their TSB Cork Co SHC crown. Fitzgerald Park in Fermoy witnessed a near massacre last night (20th July 2001) as once mighty Glen Rovers were ripped asunder by a performance from the champions that can only be described as awesome. Newtown's second half display was as good as it gets. It was almost flawless and it sent out a clear signal that the tank has been re-fuelled, the engine fine tuned and they are in for the long haul again. It's been a long time, if ever since a Glen team has been subjected to such a mauling but, on the evidence of this display, there are few teams in the county who would have lived with this Newtown side. It's a sad state of affairs when the Glen's leading scorer from play last night was their right half back Glen Foley who was one of the few players to emerge from this debacle with any credit at all. But this totally lopsided game was not about the Glen. It was all about the class that oozed through this Newtownshandrum team who lorded it in every sector of the field. Captain, Paul Morrissey led by example between the sticks and further justified Bernie O'Connor's belief that he is the best goalkeeper in the county. The full back trio of Griffin, Brendan McCarthy and John McCarthy were in total control and outside them, Pat Mulcahy gave another five star performance at centre back. Declan Murphy and Ian Kelleher ruled midfield and up front, inevitably, the O'Connors ran the show and did as they pleased.  Newtownshandrum's John Paul King racing away from Glen Rovers' Robert Brosnan. The longer this game wore on the more embarassing it became for one of Cork hurling's elite clubs. They held their own for the opening 30 minutes, 0-6 to 0-4 at half time, but one always had the feeling that the floodgates would open once the champs moved up a gear. And up it did with devastating effect. By the 11th minute of the resumption the whole complexion of this game had changed completely. The O'Connor twins, Ben and Gerry ran riot, firing over points from all angles and in the twinkle of an eye, between the 10th and 11th minute, had billowed the net twice. Game, set and match or whatever other way you want to describe it, the remaining 20 minutes were just an exhibition of what this side is capable of when the bit is between its teeth. The sheer intensity of their desire was a joy to behold. The scores continued to come thick and fast, a lot of them invented by the pure class of Mulcahy in the number six jersey. By the final whistle the three inside Newtown forwards had been replaced to give others an opportunity to be part of this mesmerising show. Kieran O'Callaghan and Glen Foley heroically tried to stem the tide for the Glen but, on this night, few teams anywhere would have lived with this Newtown combination. They may, they may not retain their title but by God the team that beats them will be a very special team. |
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