Newcestown 1-19

Bandon 3-9

JOHN MURPHY REPORTS

JINGLE bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to ride on a Newcestown hurling sleigh!

Santa arrived early for Newcestown at sunny Enniskeane on Sunday, bringing with him a parcel of hurling goodies in the shape of a second successive Clona Milk Carbery U21A Hurling Championship title, as the St John’s brigade saw off the gritty challenge of neighbours Bandon by a four-point margin.

As with all local derbies, the intensity, commitment and determination shown by both teams in this joust was a marked feature.

While in an overall context the Newcestown lads had a more balanced side, the spirit and fantastic comeback by the Lilywhites in the second half made for an exciting finale.

The long wait goes on for Bandon – it’s now 13 years since they last sipped from the cup that cheers in this grade. On reflection they will bemoan the poor opening 30 minutes when their first touch was poor, and all they could muster were five points from the stick of outstanding midfielder Denis O’Mahony.

In contrast Newcestown were firing on all cylinders, aided by the strong wind and scoring long range points for fun. They weaved a pattern of sublime hurling tapestry as they laid siege to the Bandon citadel. Oisín O’Sullivan was soundness personified from placed balls, captain Ciarán O’Donovan led by example from his centre-forward slot, and Patrick Twomey, Eoin McSweeney, Sam Long and midfielder Humphrey Canty were some of the leading playmakers.

Newcestown's Oisin Calnan coming out of defence with the ball ahead of Bandon's Kevin Hannon. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Leading 0-5 to 0-1 by the 12th minute, a long delivery by centre back Cormac O’Sullivan saw Ciarán O’Donovan’s low drive whistle past a packed goalmouth to nestle in the Bandon rigging. It was evidence of Newcestown’s superiority as only the non-stop defending of reliable goalkeeper John Buckley, augmented by the hard grafting of Eamonn Twomey, brother Ciarán and midfielder O’Mahony prevented a Newcestown tsunami of scores.

In arrears, 1-10 to 0-3, Bandon did up the ante as the interval loomed. A rocket by O’Mahony clipped the Newcestown crossbar, before being ushered to safety for a 65 by the combined defensive efforts of goalkeeper Ronan McSweeney, Paul Kelly and the outstanding Cormac O’Sullivan. The Bandon midfielder duly pointed the 65, while a good move involving Ciarán Twomey, Joe Heverin and Kevin Hannon just tailed off wide deserving a better return.

Still, Newcestown seemed to hold all the aces at the interval, 1-13 to 0-5 ahead, albeit facing the stiff wind on resuming.

Newcestown's Oisín O'Sullivan on a solo from Bandon's Joe Heverin. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Denis O’Mahony and Oisín O’Sullivan swapped early pointed frees, but there was a marked pep in the Bandon step now. Substitutes Adam Barry, Cathal O’Riordan and Cillian O’Mahony made a marked impression, as more quality ball reached Seán Ahern and the classy Jack Cullinane up front.

Suddenly, as the third quarter dawned, a hereto dull affair exploded into life. Firstly, Seán Ahern powered an unstoppable drive past Ronan McSweeney. O’Mahony pointed another free, but it was a magnificent goal by Jack Cullinane in the 49th minute that put the cat amongst the pigeons. At 1-15 to 2-8 now, we had a real game on our hands.

The unflappable Ciarán O’Donovan stopped the rot with a peach of a point, but almost immediately Cullinane negated it, evidence of Bandon dying with their boots on.

When Denis O’Mahony’s blistering free went all the way to the Newcestown rigging in the 58th minute, 1-17 to 3-9, anything was possible. But Newcestown had seen all this before. Two fantastic white flags from Oisín O’Sullivan (free) and a delightful score by captain fantastic Ciarán O’Donovan won the day amidst a welter of excitement.

Newcestown captain Ciarán O'Donovan raises the Teddy Kehily Cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Newcestown manager Micheál McSweeney was delighted with the win, but acknowledged that Bandon’s second-half goals had brought them right back into the game. The Newcestown boss praised his defence for holding out in that last hectic spell.

‘We were certainly under some pressure towards the end, but our defence was fantastic, the likes of Cormac O’Sullivan, James Burrows and Paul Kelly to name a few. Credit too must go to free-taker Oisín O’Sullivan – he was marvellous and struck a couple of all-important frees towards the end as well’, McSweeney said.

‘We are now in the county semi-final, but are not sure of our opponents yet. We will enjoy this one and then turn our attention to the county.’

After the game Don Desmond, Carbery Board, presented the cup to a delighted Newcestown captain Ciarán O’Donovan.

OUR STAR: Both free-takers, Oisín O’Sullivan and Denis O’Mahony were par excellence, but captain Newcestown Ciarán O’Donovan’s overall hurling finesse and scoring ability sees him take the kudos.

Scorers

Newcestown: Oisín O’Sullivan 0-8 (8f); Ciarán O’Donovan 1-4; Patrick Twomey, Flor Kenneally 0-3 each; Fiachra Ó Donnchadha 0-1.

Bandon: Denis O’Mahony 1-8 (1-7f, 1 65); Jack Cullinane 1-1; Seán Ahern 1-0.

Newcestown: Ronan McSweeney; Oisín Callan, James Burrows, Paul Kelly; Joe Kenneally, Cormac O’Sullivan, Flor Kenneally; Fiachra Ó Donnchadha, Humphrey Canty; Oisín O’Sullivan, Ciarán O’Donovan, Sam Long; Dan Flanagan, Eoin McSweeney, Patrick Twomey.

Sub: Hugh Flanagan for Dan Flanagan (48).

Bandon: John Buckley; Zak Farrell, Eamonn Twomey, Daniel Coughlan; Liam O’Driscoll, Ciarán Twomey, Richard Tarrant; Joe Heverin, Denis O’Mahony; Gearóid Murphy, Kevin Hannon, Seán Ahern; Ronan Ahern, Jack Cullinane, Daniel Murphy.

Subs: Adam Barry for Gearóid Murphy (ht), Cathal O’Riordan for Daniel Murphy (38), Cillian O’Mahony for Ronan Ahern (40).

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).