'Attitude was right, but shooting must improve' as James Bowles demands more from Shandrum ahead of Midleton final

It wasn’t flawless, and they’ll be the first to tell you that. Shandrum’s semi-final performance against Valley Rovers won’t be enough to trouble Midleton if repeated, but it was enough to get them through, enough to book a county final spot.

They’ll face the reigning champions at Páirc Uí Chaoimh's 4G on Sunday at 2pm, and even in the relief of victory, there was no pretending otherwise. Standards will need to rise.

For James Bowles – an All-Ireland club winner with Newtownshandrum back in 2004 – it’s been a testing campaign to knit everything together. The four-week layoff between their North Cork final win over Mallow and this county semi-final did little to help.

“It wasn't easy, four weeks,” Bowles said after the victory. “It was hard to get challenge matches and it was hard to get training for the fellas.

“We started well, but we faded, we had bad wides. Our shooting has to improve the next day. If it doesn't improve the next day, we're at nothing. So, we have a lot to do, a lot of work to do this week in training.

“It was massive performance. They worked hard, the attitude was right,” he remarked. “We pride ourselves on having the right attitude and work rate. And they showed that today.” 

Few embodied that more than Turlough O’Neill. He scored a combined 1-9 in two sub appearances and three starts for Newtown in the PSHC this year in his debut campaign, just a year out of minor.

But his U21 semi-final display surpassed the lot. Thirteen points, seven of them from play, as he almost single handedly kept Shandrum’s nose in front.

“In fairness to Turlough, what did he get? Seven or eight points from play?” said Bowles. “But, preparation starts now for Sunday, against Midleton. They are a super, super team. [We] watched them today.

“So, all we can do is do our best now next weekend. And hopefully, a cup will come back down to Shandrum.” 

Behind the scenes, the unity of Dromina and Newtownshandrum continues to be their greatest strength. It’s what keeps the U21 setup ticking, said selector Ger Hayes.

“We don't see it as two clubs, we're one club. We're Shandrum.

“But the boys, the togetherness of the boys is ferocious. Most of them, some of them go to school together. Some of them work together. They’re great buddies off the field.

STOOD UP

“Some of the senior boys stood up, Daniel O'Connell in goal, I thought his puckouts were exceptional,” Hayes said. “Chris Dunne around the middle of the field, then you’ve Turlough chipping in with his bit.

“It's a team effort. The subs that came on were outstanding. Big Liam [O’Mahony] held up the ball inside there. We'll regroup Tuesday night. We'll have to come up with some major planning for Midleton because they're an awesome team.”