Newtown grind down wasteful Toomevara

Newtownshandrum 0-15 Toomevara 1-9

Their eighth time coming out of Tipperary since 1992, once again Toomevara disappointed in Munster, and while their large following will bemoan the succession of wides and mishits from a succession of free-takers, in truth Newtown would have won this in a canter, had they taken any of the three clear goal chances they created in the second half alone.

Without a doubt they were the better side, deserve to advance to a Munster final meeting with either Mount Sion or Patrickswell, in early December.

Because of a jersey clash, both sides traditionally in green-and-gold, wore their county colours.

Newtownshandrum’s performance in the first-half, during which they laid the foundations for this win, did the old blood-and-bandage full justice. At the end of that period, and despite playing into a stiff breeze, they led 0-10 to 1-4 and were full value for it.

The Mulcahy brothers, Brendan at full and Pat at centre, anchored a lean, mean, steely defence in which Gerdie O’Mahony, Ian Kelleher and Phillip Noonan also impressed, while late sub Alan G. O’Brien, despite conceding 1-1 in that opening period to a very alert Willie Ryan, also contributed handsomely.

It was further out the field however that this Newtownshandrum side really opened up Toomevara.

Alan T. O’Brien and Jerry O’Connor in midfield hardly gave the normally brilliant Dunne brothers, Kenny and Tommy, a look-in, while Ben and John O’Connor contributed eight points between them.

An overhaul was badly needed for the home side, and their back-room team took advantage of the changeover to ring the changes.

The most significant of those all involved the Dunne brothers, with Tommy going back to centre-back, Benny released from his shackles in the corner-back slot, Terry going to midfield, off-colour Kenny eventually going to the 40.

In curbing the threat of the heretofore rampant Ben O’Connor those changes certainly worked, Tommy Dunne picking up the pace for Toomevara at centre-back, Benny showing impressively around the park.

Ten minutes after the restart there was just a point in it, 0-11 to 1-7, Kenny Dunne finally having found his range from placed balls, with the third Toome point from Willie Ryan, the only forward who was managing to make any imprint on this outstanding Newtown defence.

Just when the Tipp champions looked set to take over however, enter Jerry O’Connor, taking over the scoring duties from his two brothers. Two long range points on the trot and on the run, one better than the other, and Newtownshandrum’s three-point lead was lead restored.

Despite much huffing and puffing from both sides, that’s how it stayed for the final quarter. Twice points were exchanged, a more subdued Ben still managing to fire two strikes for Newtown with Benny Dunne and Paddy O’Brien hitting the target for Toomevara.

Eoin Brislane did manage to get himself sent off, second yellow in the 59th minute for a late hit on the magnificent Pat Mulcahy, but this was by no means a dirty game.

For Newtownshandrum, encouragement in the growing stature of man-of-the-match Brendan Mulcahy, while keeper Paul Morrissey stopped a number of dangerous situations at source. Injured captain John McCarthy’s close marking was missed in the corner, but Donal Mulcahy was even more of a loss up front.

Former Cork senior centre-forward Mike Morrissey, injured earlier in the year, made an impact when introduced and if he can maintain his fitness, will surely start next day out.

In a forward line that so impresses with its pace and panache, the only missing ingredient is a bit of old-fashioned power. Big Dan O’Riordan possesses an abundance of that but lacks the mobility of Morrissey, while James Bowles and Diarmuid Naughton are still growing.

This was a good Newtown display but when all the disparate parts come together, they will do better.

Scorers for Newtownshandrum: B. O’Connor 0-7 (0-3 frees); John O’Connor 0-3; Jerry O’Connor 0-2; M. Farrell 0-2; JP King 0-1.

Toomevara: W. Ryan 1-2; K. Dunne 0-3 (frees); P. O’Brien 0-2 (0-1 free); M. Bevans, B. Dunne, 0-1 each.

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: P. Morrissey;, A. G. O’Brien, B. Mulcahy, G. O’Mahony; I. Kelleher, P. Mulcahy (c), P. Noonan; A.T. O’Brien, Jerry O’Connor; John O’Connor, B. O’Connor, J.P. King; J. Bowles, D. O’Riordan, M. Farrell. Subs: M. Morrissey (O’Riordan 54); D. Naughton (John O’Connor 60+3).

TOOMEVARA: J. Cottrell; B. Dunne, G. Frend, P. Shanahan; B. Duff, Terry Dunne, D. Young; Tommy Dunne, K. Dunne; P. O’Brien, E. Brislane, F. Devanney; M. Bevans (c), J. O’Brien, W. Ryan. Subs: P. Hackett (Young 30); T. Delaney (Devanney 42).

Referee: M. Wadding (Waterford).

Attendance: 4,152.