Newtown have what it takes to stay at the top, says O’Connor

FROM humble beginnings, Newtownshandrum have risen to the peak of Cork hurling.

Their historic first county senior title in 2000 at the start of the new millennium captured the imagination of the local youth. Growing up in this area of 800 residents near the Cork-Limerick border, the young hurlers from ‘Newtown’ were schooled from an early age in the twin ethics of hard work and discipline.

“Many of our lads had an abundance of natural talent but we got it across to them that it takes blood, sweat and tears to attain success at the highest level,” said Bernie O’Connor, the architect behind Newtown’s rise.

This lesson bore fruit but it was not all plain sailing. A narrow defeat by St Finbarrs in the minor county championship threw a spanner in the works for a skilful emerging young side. “That defeat was a blow, but we simply asked the lads to redouble their efforts and thankfully they responded magnificently,” said O’Connor.

Three county U21 hurling championships were won in successive years after that setback and the perfect foundations were laid for a crack at the Cork senior hurling title.

“We were determined to make a real effort and made up our minds that we would not allow anything stand in our way in our bid to win the senior county. We had a very good and successful underage football team at the time, but to illustrate our resolve to win the senior hurling county, we gave up football to concentrate solely on nurturing our hurling talents,” O’Connor said.

Victory over Erin’s Own in the 2000 final was the win of their dreams. And O’Connor passionately believes that Newtown could have won the title again last year. “We lost badly to Blackrock in the final, principally because we changed our tactics and instead of playing our usual running game. That decision backfired disastrously on us.”

Now, after a runaway triumph over near neighbours Ballyhea, the mighty men of Newtownshandrum are on the march again. They take on Imokilly in the quarter final of the championship in Fermoy today, a match that O’Connor, father of intercounty stars Ben and Jerry, admits will be a huge challenge.

“Imokilly can pick from 14 clubs, including 8 intermediate clubs and almost all of their side have represented the county in one grade or another. If they play as a team they will be very hard to beat.”

Kilkenny’s All-Ireland chances have been boosted by the return of wing-back Richie Mullally to training. Mullally has been out with an ankle injury since the Leinster championship.

However, he returned to training with Brian Cody’s panel on Wednesday night. He missed the Leinster final against Wexford after breaking a bone in his ankle whilst playing for his club Glenmore.