Naughton fires Newtown home

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM got back on the road to glory last Saturday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, putting in a workmanlike performance to edge out Na Piarsaigh by 2-17 to 0-16 to secure a quarter-final spot against Glen Rovers.

Na Piarsaigh were without injured talisman Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and trailed by nine points early on, and when forward James Murray was sent off after 20 minutes the signs were ominous, particularly given Pat Mulcahy’s dominance at centre back for Newtown.

However, county minor Padraig Gould kept Piarsaigh in touch from frees after half time, but Cathal Naughton’s 1-1 in two minutes halfway through the second half ended the game as a contest.

The north Cork men’s opponents in the quarter-final, Glen Rovers, put out Killeagh on Saturday night in Carrigtwohill 4-13 to 2-10.

After an even first half, the Glen improved all over, with Cork U-21 star Patrick Horgan giving the crowd plenty to talk about. Horgan helped himself to 3-6 over the hour, goaling from three frees to send his side through to a last-eight clash with Newtownshandrum.

Also on Saturday, St Finbarr’s disposed of Ballinhassig on a 1-18 to 2-9 scoreline, setting up a quarter-final date with either Sars or Imokilly.

Kevin Murray’s accuracy from frees — notching seven — and Ronan Curran’s class at centre back were crucial ingredients for the city club, though they were helped by Ballinhassig’s 16 wides.

Bride Rovers beat Cork IT 2-14 to 1-12 to book their place in the last eight, where they’ll play Midleton. Rovers’ cause was aided by the fact that the students could only muster 17 players.

They battled hard but with Cork star Brian Murphy marshalling the Rovers defence from full back, the Bartlemy-Rathcormack outfit had a strong base to build from, and Barry Johnson’s accuracy from placed balls kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Avondhu booked a place in the quarter-finals, edging out gritty St Catherine's 1-13 to 0-14 in an entertaining tie at Fermoy last evening.

The divisional side’s win was all the more meritorious given the absence of their Ballyhea contingent because of Premier IHC engagements. Neil Ronan should be back the next day as will loyal servant Jonathon O’Callaghan (injured), and their return can only strengthen the north Cork’s side’s hopes of progression

Meanwhile, in the Premier IHC, Carrigtwohill, defeated finalists in 2006, eased past disappointing Aghabullogue 1-24 to 2-11 last night. The closing gap of 10 points could have been greater.

However, before they meet Ballymartle in the semi-final they would surely have hoped for a stiffer test. The east Cork side opened up a nine-point lead after 15 minutes, stretched to 12 points with 10 minutes remaining. But, a late spurt by Aghabullogue succeeded in bringing the margin back to 10 points by the end.

In the Premier IFC a thrilling game at Blarney ended in Mallow edging out Nemo Rangers, 0-10 to 1-6. Each side had a man sent off but Cian O’Riordan of Mallow provided the class with six points. Cork senior football manager Billy Morgan stayed to watch his Nemo clubmates before heading to Dublin for yesterday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final.