Two late goals see Dungourney capture the JBHC title with a hard fought win over Newtownshandrum

Dungourney 4-13 

Newtownshandrum 1-16 

Three second-half goals paved the way for Dungourney to be crowned Co Op Superstores Junior B hurling championship winners following a thrilling clash with Newtownshandrum at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday.

In a game where only two points separated the teams with eight minutes remaining two late goals sealed a famous win for the east Cork side who always looked impressive going forward.

Newtown looked energetic in the opening exchanges with a Sean McCarthy point edging them ahead in the second minute.

The hurling was competitive but after James Ahern levelled proceedings the north Cork side found their range again with consecutive points from Cathal Bowles and Jack Twomey.

After going seven minutes without a score Dungourney forced a turnover that saw Conor Sweeney spilt the posts with a lovely touch.

Indeed, this score seemed to inspire Dungourney and they were rewarded with a goal a minute later.

A high ball from Cillian Quinn towards the square wasn’t dealt with by the Newtownshandrum defence and Cormac Griffin was on hand to finish with precision past the helpless keeper.

Fionn Daly then showed his striking skills with consecutive points and when James Ahern raised his second white flag midway through the half Dungourney had raced into a four point lead.

Credit to Newtown they responded in style and three unanswered points from Sean Griffin and Mike Thompson (2) reduced the deficit to the minimum.

Newtown will rue a missed golden goal opportunity but just as Thompson was about to pull the trigger in front of goal, he was hooked by Warren McCarthy.

Once again the spirit of Dungourney resurfaced and they finished the half well but it could have been better if Cormac Griffin had done better with a golden goal opportunity with five minutes remaining to the interval.

However three points were registered and Dungourney looked the happier of the two sides going off at the break when they commanded a five- point lead 1-9 to 0-7.

On the restart Newtown opened with points from Sean Griffin and Padraig Noonan and they went close to raising a green flag, but a tame Padraig Noonan shot was parried to safety.

Dungourney always looked a threat going forward and a superb solo run from Colin Murphy billowed the roof of the net in the 40th minute.

Suddenly Newtown responded to the wake- up call and when Sean McCarthy got in on sight of goal his attempt was superbly blocked.

Three consecutive Newtown points was just what the doctor ordered and a green flag in the 48th minute had the game in the melting pot.

Cillian Quinn made a superb hand assist to Noonan who found the back of the net with a pinpoint strike.

When the game threatened ro run away from them Dungourney they responded in style and were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining.

Up stepped Fionn Daly and he made no mistake with a blistering strike.

There was still time for one more green flag with Conor Sweeney getting in behind the Newtown defence and punishing them with clinical strike.

The final whistle was sounded soon after as Dungourney’s lethal finishing proved the difference between two committed sides who gave their all over the hour.

Scorers for Dungourney: J Ahern 0-8 (0-4f,65), F Daly 1-3, C Sweeney 1-1, C Griffin 1-0, C Murphy 1-0, C Flynn 0-1.

Newtownshandrum: P Noonan 1-5 (0-4f), S Griffin 0-3, M Thomson 0-3, C Bowles 0-2, S McCarthy 0-2, J Twomey 0-1.

Dungourney: B Aherne; S Rohan, C Padden, C Morgan; S Geaney, W McCarthy, N Flynn; C Ryan, D McGrath; C Sweeney, C Murphy, F Daly; C Flynn, J Ahern, C Griffin.

Subs: P Cullinane for C Flynn (55).

Newtownshandrum: P J Noonan; E Sheedy, J Herlihy, S Young; K Coughlan, D Lane, T Buckley; J Hogan, C Boles; J Twomey, P Noonan, C Quinn; S Griffin, M Thompson, S McCarthy.

Subs: C Naughton for S Griffin (36), P Twohill for K Coughlan (48), M Maguire for S Griffin (56).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).