Premier SFC: Newcestown do enough with win over St Michael's
David Buckley was Newcestown's top scorer in the win over St Michael's. File picture: Larry Cummins
Newcestown came to Riverstick on Sunday knowing that a win over St Michael’s would be enough to secure McCarthy Premier SFC promotion and they did that.
Because of the delicate balance in Group 2 with the scoring differences of Valley Rovers and Nemo Rangers, Newcestown – semi-finalists last year – were in a position where any victory would suffice.
They led throughout, building a 0-10 to 0-3 half-time lead and then moving nine ahead when Colm Dineen landed a two-pointer on the restart. There will be an element of frustration that that was followed by 20 minutes without a score as their opponents – battling to avoid the relegation play-off – closed to within four.
A greater margin of victory would have given Newcestown top spot but, ultimately, the material outcome wouldn’t have been much different: Newcestown face a quarter-final with Clonakilty whereas it would have been Castlehaven if they had won by more. They will need to play better for longer if a second successive last-four place is booked, but their hurling elimination will at least allow unbroken preparation on that front.
The closing period of the first half showed them at their best here, as they solidified a lead that had been slowly built. The lead stood at 0-6 to 0-3 on 26 minutes when a patient build-up involving Micheál McSweeney, Daire McAree, Richard O’Sullvian and Luke Meade ended with a chance for the latter’s brother Jack but Mikey O’Connell saved well.
The former Cork hurler might have had a goal after that, firing wide as O’Connell came off his line, but the points continued to come – Humphrey Canty’s run the catalyst for Jack Meade to score before a Kelleher turnover in midfield allowed David Buckley to link with Luke Meade before firing over his third and a seven-point interval lead.
Seven became nine when Dinneen raised that orange flag but it was the biggest lead of the game.
St Michael’s centre-back Fionnán Leahy had a goal chance blocked but they had advantage, allowing James Ryan to tap over – then Ryan had a shot stopped on the line by Buckley but he had been fouled before shooting and so referee James Regan awarded a penalty.
Unfortunately for Michael’s, Eric Hegarty’s effort from the spot came back off the crossbar but it didn’t halt their rhythm – Hegarty was among the scorers as they reeled off four on the trot, Rory O’Shaughnessy to the fore, to leave it 0-12 to 0-8 with 12 minutes left.
Reinforcements from the bench had given Newcestown more impetus again, though, and sub Paul Kelly ended their drought before full-back Colm O’Donovan added another, set up by centre-back McSweneey.
As they chased scores, Buckley had a goal effort wide before he and Kelly had points to leave them ahead by six at the end, leaving them in second place and Michael’s having to face Ballincollig with their status on the line.
The city side had the benefit of the breeze in the first half, Newcestown seized the early initiative and Buckley’s opening free was almost followed by a goal as McSweeney’s clever handpass created a half-sight of goal for Seán O’Donovan but his ground shot from a tight angle was wide.
Though Liam O’Sullivan did get the city side off the mark on 13 minutes and Tadgh Twomey’s point for Newcestown was answered by one from Adam Hennessy – which might have ended up in a goal – to leave it 0-4 to 0-2, the gap was never as small again.
From that kickout, Seán O’Donovan’s clever palm-down allowed captain Luke Meade to combine with Canty before pointing and another Buckley free made it 0-6 to 0-2. Rory O’Shaughnessy, set up by Rory Kavanagh, did pull one back for St Michael’s but it was their last score of the half and Newcestown pushed on to go in seven ahead.
It was an advantage that was eroded but never looked like being eradicated.
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