They were as dignified in defeat as they were in victory. Newtownshandrum's great adventure reached journey's end last Sunday when they were out-thought and outfought by a scintillating, power-packed display by Imokilly.

It wasn't the way Bernie O' Connor would have wanted it to end and it was a pity that they surrendered so tamely in the final analysis.

But they can consolation from the fact that Imokilly, on that evidence would probably have done the same to any opposition. There were no tears, no recriminations afterwards, just an acknowledgement by O' Connor that the best team had won and he had no excuses to offer. Newtown have now left the stage but in leaving they have left a rich legacy that will inspire others too aspire to the things that they have achieved.

A few short years ago who would have dared to dream? A small village of a couple of hundred souls taking on the might of Cork hurling and emerging as county senior champions.

But they had belief, an inner one instilled into them by the cajoling of O' Connor and selectors Jim Coughlan and Simon Morrissey and allied to the fact that they possessed some very fine hurlers, they reached for the stars and climbed mountain after mountain.

It was a remarkable odyssey, embellished by some tremendous hurling along the way and it was achieved by an honesty and application that others might take note of.

There was hardly a foul blow struck in all their triumphs and for teamwork and passion they had or will have few equals.

And the fact that in panel terms they were limited to 16 or 17 first teamers made their success was all the more noteworthy.

They held their heads high in victory and in defeat it was the same. They were a breath of fresh air on Cork's hurling landscape and when they re-group again they'll not be easy pickings for anyone.

lmokilly were awesome last Sunday night and the frightening thing for the other three remaining contenders is that they believe there's still more fuel in the tank. Donie Morrissey has this team firmly focused. "Last year we underachieved, this is pay-back time," his words after the final whistle against the champions.

Joe Deane was in a different class to everybody else on the park and Carrigtwohill's Niall McCarthy wasn't far behind. This fellow is one to watch and is the type of player the incoming Cork management team are advised to have a close look at.

Mark Landers continues to thrive in every outing he makes and those who might have thought that his inter-county career was over will be re-appraising their viewpoint. Castlelyons, Na Piarsaigh and Blackrock have been issued with a stern warning, Imokilly are hell bent on returning to the top table of Cork hurling.

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