Newtownshandram are back in the big time after their quarter-final win over Glen Rovers

CO-OP SUPERSTORES COUNTY PSHC QUARTER FINAL

Newtownshandrum 1-23

Glen Rovers 0-23

Newtownshandrum are back in the bottom four of Cork’s top hurling for the first time in over a decade after a famous win over Glen Rovers last weekend in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Avondhu team were impressive throughout but still had to dig deep to secure the win. The final 10 minutes proved decisive on what was a remarkable night for one of the most impressive hurling clubs in the county.

Newtown were seen by many as second favorites before this match. This is partly due to the recent results of both sides, as well as the Glen’s record of five wins in their last five quarter-final matches. This is a club that knows how to win when the pressure is on.

With the hurling obviously a 15-man game, the absence of one player going into the draw is rarely seen as a game-changer, but for The Glen, the absence of Cork star Patrick Horgan in their line-up was always going to matter a part – a part that ultimately could well turn out to be the difference here. Still, the boys in green and gold deserved to win.

Led by quality players such as Cork star Tim O’Mahony, former county standout Cathal Naughton and another quality ex-county player Jamie Coughlan, Newtown went for it from the start. Center forward Cormac O’Brien was another big reason for the men in green’s victory.

O’Brien grabbed 1-4 on the day and O’Mahony’s monster scores lifted not only his side but also the crowd and it turned out to be a great day for the area.

Eoin Downey, Mark Dooley and Eoin Downey will keep the scoreboard going for the City side as they put in a very solid shift on the day.

In fact, towards the end of this game, Glenn had chances to grab the spoils, but ultimately failed to capitalize when the opportunities presented themselves – there was no shortage of winners on the day.

Newtownshandrum started the game on the front foot and with the wind at their backs led by 1-7 to 0-4 with 15 minutes gone. O’Brien’s header after a slick pass from Ronan Geary – nice pass, nice finish.

The Glen hit back with good scores from O’Leary, Downey and Simon Kennefick, five in it by 1-12 to 0-10, and all should play after the break. The second half again saw the protagonists go toe-to-toe with scores from distance and from the wings with increasing regularity.

Credit to The Glen, they clawed this one back to a position where they led with just over five to go and with the wind at their backs and momentum in their veins they looked like the side to go on and win, but not for the first time this year the Avondhu men showed what they had in them and with four of the last five points in the game they took the spoils.

A brace from Naughton as well as a couple of white flags from Coughlan deservedly saw Newtown into the last four. Kieran O’Sullivan’s superb score was also huge on the day.

Both veterans (Coughlan and Naughton) were also in green and gold when Newtown last reached the semi-finals and the pair are sure to be key figures in a fortnight’s time.

For Glen Rovers, a brilliant effort from a side that really needed their star man. September 25th at 4pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh Newtownshandrum v St Finbarr’s – a mouth-watering game for all involved.

NEWTOWNSHANDRAM: J Bowles; K O’Sullivan 0-1, P O’Sullivan, M Ryan; J. Herlihy, T O’Mahony 0-4 (1f), S Toomey; J Lane 0-1, C Naughton 0-4; J. Coughlan 0-6 (3f), C O’Brien 1-4, D O’Connor; M. Thompson 0-1, J. Toomey, R Geary 0-1 Subscriptions: D Hawe for Herlihy (28); C Griffin 0-1 for Toomey (HT); S Griffin for Thompson (49); M Bowles for Geary (56)

GLEN ROVERS: C Hickey; S McDonnell, B Murphy, A Lynch; B. Moylan, R. Downey, D. Dooling 0-3; D Noonan, A O’Donovan 0-1; D. Brosnan 0-2, E. Downey 0-6, M. Dooley 0-2; E. O’Leary 0-7 (5f), S. Dorris, S. Kenefick 0-2 Subscriptions: L Coughlan for Doris (39); C Healy for O’Donovan (59)

JUDGE: From Lyon