Sars seek revenge as Newtown eye another title

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM and Sarsfields renew acquaintances tomorrow when they cross camáns in the final of the Red FM Cork County SHL final at Páirc Uí Rinn.

This will be the third meeting between these sides in three years – two in championship and one in league – and with results 2-1 in Newtown’s favour, Sarsfields will see this final as an opportunity to even up the score.

The game is also a repeat of the 2009 county final which Newtown won with plenty to spare. Sars never got out of the blocks in that final and will welcome the chance to make amends.

However they are up against a Newtown side firing on all cylinders. They looked very impressive in defeating a county selection in a challenge last weekend where they played their usual free-flowing hurling that had Cork players struggling to keep up at times.

The North Cork side is looking forward to their All-Ireland Club semi-final against Ballyhale Shamrocks on February 14, and see this league final as ideal preparation.

These are exciting times for Sarsfields. They have the captaincy of the county team for 2010; Michael Cussen has thrown in his lot with the county hurlers and there has been a change of management with John Crowley taking over from Bertie Óg Murphy, and he would love to get his senior managerial career off to a winning start.

There will be no comparison between the teams in terms of fitness with Newtown likely to be streets ahead on that score. Sars will prove game opponents, but are likely to run out of steam, as the county champions look set to pick up their third title in the last six months.