Twomey goal sparks late Newcestown rally

NEWCESTOWN will continue to fulfil a dual mandate in the Cork county championships after success in a gripping Premier IHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday afternoon.

With their senior footballers in action in the last eight next Saturday, the club’s premier intermediate hurling side booked their semi-final berth here yet it was only after a stern examination of their credentials by Blarney, the 2008 champions in this competition.

Just like their fourth round success over Ballincollig, Newcestown had only a single point to spare after their encounter. And just like that previous match, they were indebted to the scoring heroics for Eoin Kelly in propelling them over the finishing line in first place. He struck 0-10 here, displaying relentless accuracy from placed balls and also making key contributions from open play. In a frenetic finale, it was his marvellous crossfield pass that created the opportunity for Barry Horgan to strike a vital 54th minute point that tied the game. Kelly then raised a brace of white flags that provided Newcestown with a sufficient cushion to withstand a late Blarney rally that only yielded a point from a free by Mark Cremin.