Newtownshandrum down Sarsfields, roll back years in 56-point epic

Newtownshandrum 0-29 Sarsfields 0-27 (AET): Newtownshandrum rolled back the years in Fitzgerald Park, Fermoy yesterday, sending favourites and current champions Sarsfields down the route of the losers’ rounds of the Cork SHC after this epic extra-time first round victory.

It was a well-deserved win for the north Cork side, who made it a double for their locality, following Ballyhea’s comprehensive victory earlier yesterday at the same venue over Blackrock.

The teams were deadlocked well into extra time, but with a replay looming, Newtown worked the winning scores - a terrific Michael Bowles shot from an acute angle nudged them into the lead, and then a typically towering effort from out the field by centre-back Conor Twomey sealed the win, sending supporters of the green and gold in the large attendance wild.