The fruits of a lifelong labour

How did Newtownshandrum, a parish of around 800 souls, that would throw up perhaps a total of 60 able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 33, manage to win an All-Ireland club title? Diarmuid O’Flynn investigates.

THERE ARE over 2,000 clubs in the GAA, with nearly all boasting a far bigger pick and far greater resources, than the little North Cork club. Take that 60, remove those disinclined to hurling by attitude (every one counts big in a small community), then by aptitude, physical and mental, then by appetite for the kinds of sacrifice needed to maintain hurling fitness and form for a sustained period. What's left? How did they do it?

Without a Cork senior title to their name before 2000, where did they come from, what was the inspiration behind their phenomenal recent success?