Fermoy defeat Newtown’ in close encounter

Fermoy 1-12 Newtownshandrum 0-12

Adam Creed's first half goal proved the decisive score when Fermoy defeated Newtownshan

drum in this Red FM Co Div 2 HL North Cork clash at Fermoy on Friday evening.

The early stages saw both teams enjoy their moments. Darragh Daly had two early points for the winners, with Jack Twomey and Kieran Murphy replying for Newtownshandrum by the ninth minute that had them tied at 0-2 apiece. At this stage Fermoy were certainly shading matters with Darragh O'Carroll, Peter Murphy, Darragh Daly and Shane Aherne very influential. Darragh Daly added another point from a free, before a good delivery from midfield set up Shane Aherne to score a fine solo point.

The next couple of minutes were a shoot-out between Conor Twomey and Darragh Daly, who traded two points apiece. Then came the match winning goal in the 21st minute when a good clearance by Peter Murphy was picked up by Shane Aherne and following a fine solo run he off-loaded to the well placed Adam Creed, who billowed the net – now 1-6 to 0-4.

Newtownshandrum rallied well before the break with Kieran Murphy (2) and Jack Twomey on target. Fermoy added a point from Brendan Daly and they came very close to scoring a second goal in injury time when Shane Aherne was denied by the Newtown’ keeper, James Bowles. At half-time Fermoy held a 1-7 to 0-7 cushion.

The entire second half was keenly contested with the issue in doubt right till the end. Newtownshandrum had some good displays by Kieran O'Sullivan, Conor Twomey, Darragh Hawe, Eoin O'Mahony and Jack Twomey, who tried hard to get back on terms, but it was Fermoy that did enough to hold onto a slender lead. Kieran Murphy (2), Darragh Daly, Arlen Aherne, Rory Troy and James Molloy had points for their respective sides by the 48th minute, as Fermoy held a 1-10 to 0-10 lead.

This continued to be the trend with Darragh Daly (2), Mattie Ryan and Eoin O'Mahony swapping points as they headed into stoppage time. Newtownshandrum forced a close in free in injury time, but Kieran Murphy's effort was excellently saved on the line by the Fermoy keeper Conor Quinn at the expense of a '65'. In a tense finish, both teams were reduced to 14 players as Fermoy emerged deserving winners despite Newtown's late rally.

Fermoy: Conor Quinn, Darragh O'Brien, Seanie Shanahan, Liam Cronin, Greg Lardner, Darragh O'Carroll, Padraig de Roiste, Martin Brennan, Peter Murphy, Arlen Aherne 0-1, Darragh Daly 0-8 (0-5f, 0-1 '65'),

Luke Aherne, Brendan Daly 0-1, Shane Aherne 0-1, Adam Creed 1-0. Subs: David Lardner for Padraig de Roiste, James Molloy (0-1) for Brendan Daly, Ronan Morrison for Martin Brennan, Cormac Roche for Shane Aherne (inj).

Referee Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).