"We don’t even think of it as Newtown and Dromina, there’s just a really good bond there"

It’s been a good year for Bobby Carroll.

Earlier this season, the 17-year-old half-back captained Cork to win the Electric Ireland Munster MHC and on Sunday he rounded off 2025 with a superb performance as Shandrum beat Midleton to win the Co-op SuperStores Cork U21AHC title.

While the Newtownshandrum/Dromina combination were going in as underdogs against a strong Magpies side looking to retain the title, they only briefly trailed early in the second half after Peter Barrett’s goal.

Shandrum’s response to going behind was strong and, after moving back in front with Johnny Murphy found the net, they powered on to win by 1-20 to 1-17. A strong belief among the team and management was key, according to Carroll.

“Willie [O’Mahony, manager] said to us all week that you can't come in thinking you're going to lose,” he said.

“You had to come in as a team and put everything you can into it, you know, because it's all you can ask for if we've everyone there.

“I'd be one of the youngest on the team all the way up there. This has been my first year of playing with the likes of Rory [Troy] and Daniel [O’Connell] but from the start we were all very good together.

“We don’t even think of it as Newtown and Dromina, there’s just a really good bond there.

“You’re coming up against Midleton – a big club, a big catchment area, the likes of Mikey Finn – but we have so many good fellas too. You’ve the likes of Johnny [Murphy], Rory [Troy], Daniel.

“That brings it all together as a team.”

Shandrum led by five points at one stage in the first half and were 0-13 to 0-10 to the good as they retired at half-time. Midleton did come strongly early in the second period, but Carroll paid tribute to Newtown and Cork hurler Tim O’Mahony for the advice he had imparted at the break.

“Tim was there with us,” he said, “and obviously that man has been involved in All-Ireland finals and everything.

“In the dressing-room, he was keeping us calm, making sure we didn’t lose our heads and just stayed together.

“It was about sticking to the gameplan and not changing what we were doing. He said that they were going to get their purple patch – which they did and they took off – but we just had to keep going, ticking over, getting our scores.

“Then Johnny, the main man, popped up with the goal.”

Given that Shandrum have so many players available again next year, the quest will be to challenge at the grade once more – but of course the primary objective is to provide future players at adult level for the two clubs.

Having failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Premier SHC this year, Newtown will look to build on this platform, while the sizeable Dromina contingent will be tasked with helping the club win the north Cork divisional title.

Were they operating at a higher level, Carroll wouldn’t be eligible for the first team but current Cork rules will allow him to play a part as they look to go one better than 2025, when they were beaten in the final by eventual county champions Kilshannig.

“We were unlucky this year, but hopefully drive it on next year,” he said.

“It’s about trying to get everyone better. Even the young lads there, the likes of my brother, he's 12 years of age, it brings us on.

“For us to win a county here up in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, it’s just unreal.”