Good start had major bearing on Newtown win over Kanturk
A GOOD start had a major bearing on the outcome of this County SHC game at Charleville on Saturday evening.
It was played in wet conditions for long periods during the first half. Newtown hit the ground running with Jamie Coughlan opening the scoring with a pointed free after two minutes.
The long puck-out by Anthony Nash found Aidan Walsh who pointed. In the 4th minute Newtown were ahead again when Mattie Ryan placed Sean Griffin for a point. Jamie Coughlan soloed through immediately and belted to the net as the Avondhu side were 1-2 to 0-1 clear.
Mattie Ryan (free) and Ryan Clifford opened up a six point lead. Kanturk found it hard to make any headway up front with the Newtown defence very solid. Liam O’Keeffe pointed in the eighth minute.
A long range free by Anthony Nash was saved by James Bowles. Good play by Paul Walsh led to a Lorcan McLoughlan point. Newtown replied through Jamie Coughlan.
Coming up to the end of the first quarter Jamie Coughlan (free) and impressive Tim O’Mahony added points as Newtown moved 1-7 to 0-3 clear. Liam O’Keeffe pointed for the Duhallow side before John Geary worked well for Donagh Stack who replied.
Newtown doing well in midfield added points by Jamie Coughlan and Tim O’Mahony as they opened up a nine point lead 1-10 to 0-4. Newtown lost key player Tim O’Mahony to a hand injury. Liam O’Keeffe with two frees and Ian Walsh with points closed the gap. Jamie Coughlan pointed another free as the winners led by double scores at the break 1- 11 to 0- 7.
On the resumption Liam O’Keeffe had a quick pointed free. Newtown had their second goal when Mattie Ryan worked well for Jamie Coughlan who goaled from close range.
Newtown full-back line were very solid and tight all through. Kanturk relied mainly on scores from frees by Liam O’Keeffe. Conor Twomey made some very good clearances.
Two more pointed frees Kanturk moved Ryan Walsh to midfield with Aidan Walsh going to the wing. O’Keeffe had the lead down to two goals 2-11 to 0-11 by the 40th minute.
James Fitzpatrick had a very good Kanturk point but Jamie Coughlan replied soon after 2-12 to 0-12. Entering the final quarter Liam O’Keeffe placed Aidan Walsh for a very good point. The Duhallow side now had Ian Walsh at full forward with James Fitzpatrick on the wing.
Ryan Walsh soloed through but James Bowles saved well. In the 53rd minute Kanturk forced a 21 metre free following a foul on Aidan Walsh. Anthony Nash’s effort was well saved with Jack Herlihy clearing to safety.
Jamie Coughlan with a free restored the two goal lead. In the 56th minute Michael Thompson made a great run out of defence and scored a massive point. Kanturk never gave up – Alan Sheehy and James Fitzpatrick worked well for Aidan Walsh who placed Ian Walsh for a fine point.
Ian Walsh closed out the scoring with an injury time point. NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: J Bowles, J O’Mahony, J Herlihy, D Guiney, K O’Sullivan, C Twomey, M Thompson 0-1, D Hawe, M Ryan 0-1f. R Clifford 0-1, T O’Mahony 0-2, D Stack 0-1, S Griffin 0-1, J Coughlan 2-7 (0-5f), J Geary Subs: J Twomey for T O’Mahony (inj) S Young for S Griffin, D Lane for M Thompson
KANTURK: A Nash, P Walsh, J McLoughlan, J Browne, L O’Neill, D Browne, A Sheehy, L McLoughlan 0-1, R Walsh, I Walsh 0-3, A Walsh 0-2, J Fitzpatrick 0-1, L O’Keeffe 0-8 (0-7f) A O’Keeffe, D O’Connell Subs: M Healy for D O’Connell, D Kenneally for A O’Keeffe
REFEREE: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers)