ANOTHER stirring Newtownshandrum victory at balmy Fermoy on Saturday, simply business a usual, as the Avondhu kingpins eased past Killeagh to book a place in the next round of the Cork SHC.

BEN O’CONNOR has made major contributions to Newtown hurling over the years but his latest at Mallow on Saturday night in the county senior championship was massive.

A DRAMATIC late, late goal for Erin’s Own, Kieran ‘Hero’ Murphy – living up to his nickname with a superb ‘double’ on a long Killian Murphy centre – one minute into injury-time, was enough to deny reigning champions Newtownshandrum victory in this Cork SHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

A COMPREHENSIVE win for champions Newtownshandrum in this fourth-round Cork county senior hurling clash in front of a good crowd in Fermoy on Saturday evening.

Tomorrow: All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final: Newtownshandrum (Cork) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Thurles, 2.30pm.

BEFORE I go into the match analysis, I’d like to compliment everyone involved in Semple Stadium for the state of the pitch yesterday.

A REAL test of resolve yesterday for the 3,000 dedicated fans who made the journey to Thurles for this Munster final, defying the sleet and biting wind to support their teams.

Newtownshandrum (Cork) 2-11 Ballygunner (Waterford) 2-9

THOSE hurling pundits out there who see Sunday’s Munster Club SHC final at Semple Stadium between Newtownshandrum and Ballygunner as a bit of a foregone conclusion baffles the bejaysus out of Newtown manager Phil Noonan.

A SUPERB contest in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday as Limerick three-in-a-row champions Adare defied predictions and really put it up to heavy favourites Newtownshandrum in this Munster Club SHC semi-final.

WE’RE in the dying embers of another long season but there’s still plenty to whet the appetite of hurling followers nationwide.

IT WAS county final weather in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, and county final conditions.

NEWTOWN can thank the O’Connor twins, Ben and Jerry, for their SHC win over Bishopstown at Mallow yesterday.

THE struggle between club and county continues in Antrim. With the county U21 hurlers due to play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final in Navan on Saturday, several clubs are reluctant to release their players because of county championship matches the following day.

THE relief in Cork was palpable after the GAC of the Munster Council confirmed the Leesiders as provincial senior football champions for 2002.