‘Sparrow’ delight as Newtownwin gripper

Newtownshandrum 2-27 Ballymartle 2-23 (after extra time)

Perfect conditions provided the backdrop to a high octane encounter but by the end of 80 fascinating minutes, Newtown just managed to shade it.

Defeated by the four-time champions at the same stage in 2011 by a narrow margin, Ballymartle possessed a desire to turn the tables on their North Cork rivals. And they looked good enough to succeed for 45 minutes, yet Newtown conjured up a mixture of energy and power, decorated by some excellent individual performances.