Premier SHC: Jamie Coughlan hits 2-6 as Newtown power past Bishopstown 

Newtownshandrum: 5-13 

Bishopstown: 0-8 

Newtownshandrum are up and running in the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC after hammering Bishopstown at Fermoy on Saturday evening.

This opening Group 1 encounter was given added significance given that defending champions Sarsfields and Douglas are to come for both sides so a win in this one was vital but this was a one-sided match. The North Cork side were much the better team but their tally of 19 wides will be something that they will need to work on moving forward. 

Newtownshandrum did the heavy lifting in the first half as they led by eight points at the break despite playing against the wind. Bishopstown to their credit never gave up but ultimately they didn’t have the quality to mount a comeback.

Bishopstown, aided by a slight wind, started with intent as they hit the first score after just 12 seconds through a Darragh O’Donovan point. Newtownshandrum replied a minute later when the ever reliable Jamie Coughlan converted a free.

The North Cork side were in control though as they rattled off 1-1 in the space of a minute. Kieran O’Sullivan with the point with the goal coming after seven minutes through Conor Griffin after a Ronan Geary pass. Cork hurler Tim O’Mahony had to leave the field after nine minutes for 18 minutes due to a blood injury. 

Bishopstown did have the lion's share of possession but were wasteful in so many ways. Their opposition were the opposite at this juncture as Gerdi O'Mahony's troops slotted over two unanswered white flags, Conor Twomey and Geary with the efforts, 1-4 to 0-1.

Bishopstown got a timely score when Daniel Murray pointed which was quickly followed by Colm O’Driscoll and Conor O’Hora white flags, 1-4 to 0-4 after 21 minutes.

The sides traded points before Tim O’Mahony returned to action. The winners outscored their opposition 1-3 to 0-1 in the final stages of the half. Who else but Tim O’Mahony with the goal after 33 minutes as he was on the end of a neat team move, 2-8 to 0-6 at the break.

Newtownshandrum were now helped by the slight wind in the new half but it was Bishopstown who got the first score, a Thomas Murray placed ball which was a 65 three minutes in. Martin Hayes’ charges reduced the deficit further with an O’Hora white flag.

Newtownshandrum put the game firmly to bed with 1-2 in a matter of a couple of minutes, Geary with a tidy finish to the net, 3-10 to 0-8 after 44 minutes. The game was slowly petering out as the winners struck three points on the trot to lead 3-13 to 0-8 with six minutes left.

A fourth Newtownshandrum goal arrived after 56 minutes when Coughlan finished with ease to the net. Bishopstown got a man sent off with two minutes left when Darragh O’Donovan got a straight red card for a wild pull. Coughlan got his second goal for the winners deep in added on time as they ran out easy winners.

Newtownshandrum will meet Sarsfields in the next group outing while Bishopstown will lock horns with city rivals Douglas.

Scorers for Newtownshandrum: J Coughlan 2-6 (0-5 f), T O’Mahony (0-2 f), R Geary 1-2 each, C Griffin 1-0, C O’Brien, K O’Sullivan, C Twomey 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: C O’Hora, D O’Donovan 0-2 each, T Murray (65), C O’Driscoll, D Murray, D Daly 0-1 each.

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: J Bowles; R Troy, P O’Sullivan, M Ryan; C Twomey, T O’Mahony (c), K O'Sullivan; B Collins, C O ‘Brien; J Lane; C Griffin, D O’Connor; E O’Mahony, J Coughlan, R Geary.

Subs: J Twomey for E O’Mahony (41), C Naughton for J Lane (51), P Noonan for B Collins (55), D Hawe for C O’Brien (57).

BISHOPSTOWN: M Driscoll; R Foley, S Murphy, D Lester; D Daly, C Dunne, D Murray; B Murray (c), D O’Donovan; C O’Hora, L Lordan, K McFadden; T Murray, D Driscoll, C O'Driscoll.

Subs: M McStay for T Murray (38), C Daly for D Driscoll (44), D Breen for K McFadden (53), D Driscoll for D Daly (59).

Referee: Mark Maher (St Finbarr’s).