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Pat Ryan reports on the Avondhu Under 21 HC Final between Doneraile and N’shandrum at Charleville on Sunday.
NEWTOWN 3-12
THIS North Cork Under 21 (A) HC Final at Charleville on Sunday was abandoned with just a minute of normal time remaining due to a serious incident that happened involving players, mentors and supporters.
Newtown, seeking their eighth title, were pushed for almost 55 minutes by an eager Doneraile side who took some great scores.
In the opening half, Newtown took the lead with very good points by Michael Thompson and James Bowles (2).
Ian O’Brien then had Doneraile’s first score from a free. Bowles added a pointed free for Newtown after eight minutes but Doneraile battled back well with O’Brien pointing a free and they came within a point when Colm O’Connell placed Pat Enright for a well-taken point.
Newtown had a number of wides with Doneraile forcing level in the 22nd minute when O’Connell placed Patrick Enright for a sweet score.
Newtown moved James Bowles to wing-forward with Stephen Kelleher going to full-forward while Doneraile introduced the injured Barry Sheehan and he was to make a big impression.
Newtown continued to strike wides from good positions before a good movement from them involving Michael Thompson and James Bowles was broken up by Edward Morrissey.
Newtown had their first goal in the 26th minute when John O’Connor gave a good delivery to Michael Thompson who goaled from close range to make it 1-4 to 0-4.
Doneraile kept in touch with Barry Sheehan pointing a long range free and following with a point from a ‘65. In injury time, Newtown had a point by John O’Connor with Padraigh Keane placing Stephen Kelleher for a point to leave the score at 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.
Both sides were wide on the restart before Cathal Naughton had a good point for Newtown on the run. Luke Philpott was then wide for Doneraile before Newtown were reduced to 14 men in the 38th minute, with Barry Sheehan pointing a free for Doneraile.
Newtown replied when Fred Young gave a great pass to James Bowles who pointed. Newtown forced a ‘65 which Fred Young placed to Bowles who again sent over to give them a five-point cushion, 1-9 to 0-7.
In the 40th minute, a good delivery by Colm O’Connell led to a Patrick Enright point. Two minutes later, a foul on Luke Philpott produced a free 30 yards out. Barry Sheehan’s powerful effort went to the net and Doneraile were within a point.
Newtown replied when a good movement by Willie O’Mahony, Fred Young and Michael Thompson led to Cathal Naughton pointing from a tight angle but Doneraile battled back very well and a good pass by Ronan Good led to a point by Barry Sheehan.
A poor clearance by the Newtown defence was picked up by Luke Philpott with the Newtown goalkeeper Willie Biggane saving well but the rebound went to Gavin O’Keeffe who netted from close range to put Doneraile ahead for the first time (2-9 to 1-10).
Gavin O’Keeffe followed with a point in the 50th minute and Doneraile came close to a goal soon after when Patrick Enright had a powerful shot saved by Willie Biggane.
Newtown forced level in the 52nd minute when substitute Pat O’Leary placed James Bowles who sent over a fine point. Newtown had two wides with Gerdy O’Mahony making some great clearances.
They had a goal by John O’Connor with five minutes remaining and a minute later James Bowles kicked to the net to put them firmly in the ascendancy once more (3-12 to 2-9).
Both sides tried hard in the closing moments with Newtown defending very well.
In the 59th minute, an incident broke out as Doneraile were on the attack. The incident involved a serious melee that involved players, supporters and mentors.
Referee Michael O’Halloran was left with no option but to call off the game even though there was only a minute of normal time remaining.
Scorers:
Newtownshandrum — James Bowles 1-7 (0-2 frees), John O’Connor 1-1, Michael Thompson 1-1, Cathal Naughton 0-2, Stephen Kelleher 0-1.
Teams:
Newtownshandrum — Willie Biggane, Diarmuid Lane, Shane Moran, Willie O’Mahony, Gerry O’Mahony, Gerdy O’Mahony, Eamonn O’Connor, Padraigh Keane, Fred Young, Stephen Kelleher, John O’Connor, Diarmuid Naughton, Cathal Naughton, James Bowles, Michael Thompson.
Doneraile — Kevin Cotter, Eoin O’Leary, Ross Hunter, Edward Morrissey, Brian O’Rourke, Colm O’Connell, Jason O’Callaghan, Ronan Good, Ian O’Brien, Andrew Hickey, Pat Enright, Luke Philpott, Donal Murphy, Gavin O’Keeffe, Martin O’Connor.
Referee: Michael O’Halloran (Churchtown).
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