St Finbarr's have to lean on young guns with Brian Hayes and Jack Cahalane out of action

St Finbarr’s and Newcestown’s managers had to be content with a draw following an evenly-fought Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC clash at Enniskeane last Sunday.

A terrific Group 3 game in the final round of the opening phase saw the Barrs and Newcestown each contribute to an entertaining clash. The scores were level on nine separate occasions with Ricky Barrett’s goal key to the Togher side earning a 1-18 to 0-21 share of the points.

That outcome sent St Finbarr’s into the county quarter-finals and preserved their opponent’s top-flight status for another year.

“Obviously, we are delighted to get through,” St Finbarr’s manager Paudie Murray stated.

“We knew coming down here that this was going to be tough game, particularly being down two of our major players. So, I think a lot of credit has to be given to the team, the whole squad really.

Young players had to step up out there today as well. So, I suppose overall, look, we are just delighted to get through.” 

Midleton’s Group 3 win over Bride Rovers, coupled with a point from the Newcestown game, cemented the Barrs’ runners-up spot. Now, a meeting with Imokilly awaits in the last eight of the county championship.

Remaining calm down the stretch of last Sunday’s ding-dong battle was crucial to Paudie Murray’s side progressing.

“I suppose we just had to stay composed and keep doing what we were trying to do," Murray added.

“I thought we were much better in the second half compared to the first. We said to them at half-time that we are demanding more out of some of the players. We needed to hold on to the ball as we were spilling it a bit too easy.

“Our bench made a significant contribution. We have been trying to mind the bench, particularly with our second team, and give them more game time there. Those lads made significant improvements today.

“The key thing is that we need to get players back. We have got two weeks but I’m not sure we will have them (including Brian Hayes and Jack Cahalane) back. Look, we will just have to keep going.” 

Newcestown were unsure of their status when the final whistle shrilled. In the end, a draw was enough for Daniel Twomey’s side to avoid a relegation play-off that will now be contested by Douglas and Fr O’Neill’s.

It was a case of what might have been for a Newcestown team that showed once again this year why they belong in the top tier.

“Not getting through is disappointing,” Daniel Twomey commented.

“Everyone was saying we were fighting relegation but we put it up to Midleton two weeks ago and put it up to the Barrs again today. It is just we didn’t turn up the first day (against Bride Rovers).

“The last two weeks have been outstanding for me. 

We couldn’t have gotten any more out of them as the boys are out hurling one week, football the next. It is hard going but we are happy we are staying up.

“It was a bounce of a ball today, really. We had a couple of goal chances there in the second half and didn’t take them. It could have been a different story if we took one of them.

“Look, we have to be happy. We have Premier Senior hurling again next year and we will have to plan again for that.

“The aim will be to get out of the group. We need to get over the line and beat one of the big boys. Hopefully, that will push us on.”