Newtown set sail against the wind

IT was tougher, tighter and didn't have the pretty hurling of the drawn game, but at Semple Stadium on Saturday, Newtownshandrum finally ended the dogged challenge of O'Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland club hurling championship semi-final.

Newtownshandrum 0-14 O'Loughlin Gaels 1-8

Last week it was the Mulcahy/O'Connor-twins' show as Pat, Jerry and Ben put on a virtuoso display for Newtown, O'Loughlin's clawing their way back into the game principally through the second half point-scoring of free-taker Nigel Skehan; this time it was a far more balanced display from the Cork champions.