Newtown defeat Sarsfields in County SHL

Exchanges were very close from here on with numerous points being traded. Ryan Clifford (4) Cian McCarthy (2) Luke Hackett, Michael Cussen, Eoin Quigley and Mattie Ryan all on target with minors as the home side held a 1-5 to 0-5 advantage by the 25th minute.

In the closing moments Sarsfields were denied a second goal scoring chance when Michael Cussen had his attempt saved on the line with the rebound falling to Luke Hackett who pointed. However Newtownshandrum staged a great revival before the half time whistle. In the 28th minute good work by Jerry Lane resulted in a long range point by Mattie Ryan. On the stroke of half time Ryan turned provider when his delivery set up Ryan Clifford for a goal that levelled matters at the break at 1-7 apiece.

On the restart two early pointed frees by Cian McCarthy opened up a two point game by the 35th minute. Conor Twomey replied with a free for Newtown before they struck for a goal five minutes later when a great clearance by Michael Thompson was gathered by Jamie Coughlan and after a fine solo run Coughlan picked out the inrushing Sean Griffin for a well taken goal 2-8 to 1-9. In a gripping last 20 minutes the game really came to life.

Sarsfields were back on level terms within minutes when Cian McCarthy pointed a free. In the 47th minute a good clearance by Eoin Quigley saw Michael Cussen score a great point from a tight angle 2-8 to 1-11. They were also level at 2-9 to 1-12 by the 52nd minute when Michael Bowles and Shane Quinn traded a point.

In the closing stages Newtownshandrum found scores much easier to come by with Conor Twomey, Cathal Naughton, Mattie Ryan, Michael Bowles, Jamie Coughlan, Tim O’Mahony and Ryan Clifford finishing in a flurry. The North Cork side scored four more points without reply before the full time whistle to emerge victors.