O'Connor saves Newtownshandrum - report

O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) 0-19 Newtownshandrum (Cork) 1-16

Cork star Ben O’Connor’s injury time point saw Newtownshandrum earn a replay next Saturday in Thurles against O’Loughlin Gaels..

Having been three points in front at the break, the Munster champions conceded 10 second half scores, including a glut for Gaels’ forward Nigel Skehan who ended the game on a 0-11 tally.

Newtownshandrum rallied late, however, with a minute free from O’Connor and a 40-yard placed ball from the corner forward into the Tipperary sunshine, to draw the game.

O’Loughlin’s blew hot and cold throughout, cutting their teeth early on with a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 16 minutes.

Two frees from Skehan and efforts from Brian Dowling and centre forward Maurice Nolan were included in that haul, with the O’Connor brothers, Ben and Jerry replying for Newtown.

Newtown’s James Bowles wasted a good goal chance two minutes later, firing over the crossbar from a strong run forward but the Cork men did celebrate a goal on 21 minutes, through Dan O’Riordan for a 1-07 to 0-07 lead.

Skehan struck over the final point of the half 30 seconds from the end, adding to Martin Comeford’s 23rd minute point and cancelling out a sideline score from Ben O’Connor and a point from play from Pat Mulcahy.

Skehan was again to the fore in the second period, firing over consecutive scores with his sixth point on 48 minutes, putting just a goal between the sides at 0-14 to 1-14 before edging them in front.

But the right-handed O’Connor struck seven minutes from the end and punished a Martin Comeford infringement at the death to give Newtownshandrum another chance.