Newtown overcome misfiring Erin’s Own

Newtownshandrum 0-16

The victory was also achieved without the services of Gerry O’Connor for 45 minutes. The Cork senior failed to start because of a hamstring injury, but his arrival did give his side a psychological boost at a time when they were just two points in front and battling to stay in the championship race.

On his arrival O’Connor was “welcomed” by Timmy Kelleher who received a yellow card for his indiscretion. This proved extremely costly as he received a second yellow and a red 10 minutes from time which effectively made it impossible for his side to retrieve the situation.

Not for the first time Newtown owed much to the silken skills of Ben O’Connor, who claimed seven of his side’s points, while his younger brother John, John Paul King, goalkeeper Paul Morrissey and centre-back Pat Mulcahy also made major contributions.

Newtown led at the break by 0-7 to 0-6.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a tremendous goal from right half-forward Barry Hennebry in the 22nd minute turned another quarter-final tie completely on its head at Páirc Uí Chaoimh with Blackrock beating Muskerry 3-21 to 1-6.

Prior to Hennebry’s electrifying strike the sides had been level five times and Muskerry had been denied an early goal when outstanding goalkeeper Trevor Barry brilliantly saved a close-range effort from full-forward Fionan Sheehan.

But following Hennebry’s 30-metre solo run and devastating finish the world fell apart for Muskerry and reigning champions Blackrock, moving into over-drive and oozing sheer class, sprinted to a runaway 21-point triumph.

Wayne Sherlock, John Browne, Adrian Coughlan, Hennebry, Brian O’Keeffe and David Cashman all shone and exhibited the full range of their exciting powers as Blackrock left their totally outclassed opponents for dead.

Blackrock led 1-10 to 0-5 at the break.

No contest in Cloyne. Smarter and sharper all over the park, Sarsfields ended misfiring Killeagh’s romance with the SHC on Saturday, winning 1-16 to 1-6 to book a semi-final spot with champions Blackrock in two weeks time.

Nowhere near a great game of hurling, Sars, nevertheless, will be happy with their night’s toil. From full-back Paul Roche, who held Joe Deane to a single point from play, right through the line, the Glanmire men were totally focused on their game and looked far more comfortable than a Killeagh side that failed to gel on the night.

A well able half-back line of Cian Kennedy, David Kenneally, improving with every outing, and Brian McCarthy did Sars proud, and with Pat Ryan working hard at midfield , the Killeagh attack was starved of possession and failed to make an impact.

Up front all the Sars forwards got on the scoresheet, bar John O’Connor. However, his hard work and unselfish play more than made up for that. Kieran and John Murphy were in excellent form, particularly Kieran, along with Rory Duggan in the corner. And although Garvan McCarthy had a poor night, his 33rd minute goal sounded the death knell for Killeagh. He’ll have better outings.

Sars led 0-10 to 1-4 at half time.

The anticipated rousing contest one expects from a local derby failed to materialise at Buttevent on Saturday where Avondhu crushed the tissue-like challenge of Ballyhea 2-19 to 1-11 in the quarter-final.

Everything was right for the occasion, but on a perfect night for hurling on the magnificently revamped ground between a club side and its own division and in front of a huge crowd, the game failed miserably to live up to expectations.

There was never a hint that Ballyhea would cause another upset, and it was no fault of Avondhu’s that his match fell flat on its face.

They looked a very competent outfit with excellent players in the key areas, and with Austin Walsh and Jonathan O’Callaghan available for selection again, the North Cork divisional side will prove more than a match for any of the remaining teams left in the title race.

It was 1-10 to 1-4 to Avondhu at half-time.

In the TSB Cork County SFC quarter-final Clyda Rovers’ valiant bid to reach the semi-final for the second time in three years ended on a heartbreaking note at Donoughmore last night when they were beaten 0-11 to 1-6 by UCC.

Although they played their socks off, Clyda fell victim to the superior finishing of UCC in what was a closely fought and invigorating contest for supremacy, highlighted by a tremendous and gripping second-half duel.