SAHC: Newcestown squeeze out Kanturk after dramatic penalty shootout

Newcestown 2-4 Kanturk 1-7 (Newcestown win 4-2 on penalties) 

NEWCESTOWN keep marching on, again hitting the perfect pitch to overcome Kanturk in a penalty shoot-out in a dramatic Bon Secours SAFC quarter-final at Coachford.

Wind and rain on a heavy surface combined to thwart a competitive contest but few could argue with the all-out commitment of both teams. Ultimately when it came to penalties, Newcestown delivered a masterclass in finishing with the conversion of all four spot kicks by Eddie Kenneally, Niall Kelly, Tadhg Twomey and Jack Meade.

Credit too, Newcestown goalkeeper Christopher White for performing heroics on great saves from Alan Walsh and Grantas Bucinskas. Both clubs are terrific exponents of the dual mandate, the bulk of the two starting lineups had performed in high-profile hurling tussles the previous week.

Newcestown started on a promising note, David Buckley pointing only for Kanturk to respond from a converted free by Ian Wash. Custodian White had to be alert on denying Bucinskas a goal chance before Buckley regained the lead for the West Cork men.

Horrible weather made the execution of basic skills less than straightforward in a scoreless second quarter, Newcestown ahead 0-2 to 0-1 at the interval. The fare improved on the restart, Buckley blazed over the Kanturk crossbar.

Having found themselves under the cosh, Kanturk sparked a comeback with points registered to Christopher Mullane, Ian Walsh and Lorcán McLoughlin. The game appeared to be swinging to Kanturk when Ryan Walsh pounced for a goal.

Trailing 1-4 to 0-3, Newcestown weren’t prepared to let their challenge collapse, points to Luke Meade and Buckley narrowed the arrears to the minimum. However, they incurred a major let-off, Kanturk unlucky not to goal, Ryan Walsh’s effort hit the woodwork twice with the post also denying Brian O’Sullivan from the rebound.

That allowed Newcestown remain in the hunt, Michael McSweeney punching a point, deadlock 0-7 to 1-4 at the end of the hour. Into extra time, Kanturk drew first blood from a goal netted by substitute Cameron Hendry.

Back came Newcestown, Seamus O’Sullivan set up fellow substitute Carthach Keane for a green flag, all square 2-4 to 1-7. With both sides on their feet, there were no scores in the second period.

That made for the suspense to heighten in the penalty shoot-out, Newcestown ever so clinical to book a semi-final date with Newmarket.

Scorers for Newcestown: D Buckley 0-5 (0-4 f), C Keane 1-0, L Meade, M McSweeney 0-1 each.

Kanturk: R Walsh, C Hendry 1-0 each, I Walsh 0-2 (0-1 f), C Mullane, L McLoughlin 0-1 each.

NEWCESTOWN: C White; N Murray, C Twomey, T Horgan; J Kelleher, M McSweeney, L Meade; C Goggin, G O’Donovan; J Kenneally, T Twomey, R O’Sullivan; N Kelly, E Kenneally, D Buckley.

Subs: S O’Sullivan for J Kenneally (45), C Keane for N Kelly (45), J Meade for E Kenneally(54), C Dinnen for J Kelleher (54), R Sweeney (61), E Collins for L Meade (67), E Kennelly for R O’Sullivan (75 inj), N Kelly for S O’Sullivan (79).

KANTURK: R Cashman; J McLoughlin, J Browne, C Mullane; D Browne, T Walsh, B O’Sullivan; P Walsh, Aidan Walsh; Alan Walsh, I Walsh, L McLoughlin; G Bucinskas, C Walsh, R Walsh. 

Subs: C Hendry for G Buckinas (58), C Clernon for C Walsh (64 inj), M Healy for L McLoughlin (71), G Bucinskas for C Hendry (73 inj).

Referee: R Whelan (Aghada).