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.