Defence proves rock that champions perish on

Newtownshandrum 0-17 Blackrock 1-9

On this performance in the Cork SHC final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, they will be around for some time.

Blackrock came in as favourites, as champions, looking to complete a three-in-a-row, but right from the first whistle Newtown took this game by the scruff of the neck.

Playing into a stiff breeze, they were a point up within nine seconds, courtesy of midfielder Jerry O’Connor, two points to the good a couple of minutes later, after Jerry’s twin Ben began his man-of-the-match performance with a pointed free from distance.

A superb sideline cut from the right side by midfielder Paul Tierney then opened the account for the champions but, even with the strong wind, it had taken seven minutes and that tells a story.

“We feel we can hold their forwards”, Newtown’s magnificent captain John McCarthy had said last week, “and though they have the best defence in the county by a mile, we have the best forwards”.

John was almost spot-on in his pre-game analysis. Newtown proved they have the best club attack in Cork, and as McCarthy had predicted, their own defence held solid. In doing so however, they suggested that in this department also, they are the best around.

The Newtown forwards were indeed impressive, youngsters James Bowles and John Paul King each contributing two vital second-half points, the younger O’Connor, John, also showing up with a point, Diarmuid Naughton (early sub for the unfortunate Donal Mulcahy, injured in the 5th minute) and Maurice Farrell also working hard.

Overshadowing them all, brilliant Ben, a ten-point haul that had everything in the book, sideline, frees, points with his left side and right, from left, right, and centre.

Midfielders Alan T O’Brien and Jerry O’Connor also won their battle, and each came in with a point from play. But Newtown won this with defence, brilliant, swarming, crushing defence, with every man from 1 to 7 a hero.

Paul Morrissey is safe as they come in the goal.

But McCarthy was inspirational in the right corner, where first David Cashman and then Derek Gosnell were mastered in turn.

That attitude and control continued across the line with full-back Brendan Mulcahy and Gerard O’Mahony in the other corner, and between them this tight-marking trio conceded just a single point from play.

Not bad, considering the Blackrock full-forward line contained the Cork captain Alan Browne, recent Cork senior panellist Brian O’Keefe and Cashman, capped at minor and U-21 for the county.

To the half-back line then and here, if anything, the brilliance of the inside line was almost surpassed. Pat Mulcahy totally controlled the middle, while Ian Kelleher and Philip Noonan especially, owned the flanks.

In a bad-tempered and scrappy first half marked by some questionable refereeing by Cathal McAllister, Newtown managed to keep their noses in front after that whirlwind start, and with an 0-6 to 0-5 lead, the writing was on the wall for the reigning champions.

The O’Connor twins had done all the scoring for Newtown, Ben with five, while wing-forward Barry Hennebry had a brace for the Rockies, free-taker Adrian Coughlan adding a point after a terrible call against Pat Mulcahy, centre-forward Liam Meaney completing their account.

With McAllister using his whistle, finally taking control, the second half was a much better affair. Again Newtown had a lightning start, young Bowles setting up JP King to rifle a point from the right wing, and the North Cork side were on their way.

A succession of well-taken points, mostly from Ben, but with James Bowles and John O’Connor also contributing, had the challengers ahead 0-13 to 0-8 in the 50th minute, and it looked all over.

A goal was what Blackrock badly needed badly, a goal was what they got. For once that outstanding Newtown defence was beaten, Liam Meaney storming through. He was gang-tackled, penalty, Adrian Coughlan stepped forward, ball buried.

Should have lifted Blackrock, spurred Newtown instead. Firing now on all cylinders, substitute Mike Morrissey thundering his considerable frame into the game, Ben O’Connor popping up everywhere, Newtown cruised home.

Four more points, three from Ben, another royal beauty from King, to a single reply from Coughlan, and this title was going north. No report of this game would be complete, however, without mention of Blackrock captain Wayne Sherlock.

The best housekeeper in the business he’s been called, constantly tidying up the mess left by those around him, yesterday he was brilliant, rivalling Ben O’Connor for the man-of-the-match award.

Almost on his own, though with Fergal Ryan also showing well at times, he tried to repel the Newtown challenge, but it was an impossible task.

This loss was surely no fault of his, while full-back Noel Keane, though exposed at times by the pace of the gutsy James Bowles (still a minor), can also take solace.

For Alan Cummins, a sorry send-off to Australia where he is due to be married next week, but there can be no arguments about the merits of the new champions.

“Today, ye saw the true skills of Newtown”, said John McCarthy in his cup-acceptance speech, but it’s only the start. If they’re up for it, there’s a lot more in this side.”

Scorers for Newtownshandrum: B. O’Connor 0-10 (0-3 frees 0-1 s/l); JP King 0-2; J. Bowles 0-2; Jerry O’Connor, John O’Connor, A.T. O’Brien, 0-1 each.

Blackrock: A. Coughlan 1-3 (1-0 pen 0-3 frees); P. Tierney 0-2 (0-1 s/l); B. Hennebry 0-2; L. Meaney, B. O’Keeffe, 0-1 each.

BLACKROCK: T. Barry; W. Sherlock, N. Keane, J. Browne; S. Murphy, A. Cummins, F. Ryan; A. Coughlan, P. Tierney; B. Hennebry, L. Meaney, J. Young; B. O’Keeffe, A. Browne, D. Cashman.

Subs: D. Gosnell (Cashman 35).

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: P. Morrissey; J. McCarthy (c), B. Mulcahy, G. O’Mahony; I. Kelleher, P. Mulcahy, P. Noonan; A.T. O’Brien, Jerry O’Connor; John O’Connor, B. O’Connor, D. Mulcahy; J.P. King, J. Bowles, M. Farrell.

Subs: D. Naughton (D. Mulcahy inj. 5); M. Morrissey (Farrell 42); D. O’Riordan (Naughton 51).

Referee: C. McAllister (Midleton).