Experimental Newtown give Morrissey perfect start as Rovers miss chances

NEW-LOOK Newtownshandrum, same old style, same old result in the Cork SHC opening round.

With no Ben O’Connor (absent through injury), Allstar defender Pat Mulcahy at centre-forward, Jerry O’Mahony at corner-back, a totally rearranged half-back line and two 17-yr-olds, Ryan Clifford and Sean Riordan introduced during the game, this was a much-changed Newtownshandrum from the side that lost in Croke Park less than two months ago.

Even so, new manager Simon Morrissey looks set to continue the high-tempo, high-risk possession game that has seen Newtown win three of the last five Cork senior titles.