Newtownshandrum (Cork) 0-19 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 1-15:Jerry O'Connor was the hero for Newtownshandrum as the Cork side denied Thurles Sarsfields in today's Munster Club SHC quarter-final encounter at Semple Stadium.
Sarsfields were much the better side during the opening exchanges and raced into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead with Pa Bourke doing the damage by firing over the opening point before finding the net in the third minute with a crisply-struck ground shot.
In an end-to-end match Newtown were quickly back on level terms with scores from Ryan Clifford, Michael Bowles, Jerry O’Connor and Cathal Naughton, who was also in great form.
Jerry’s twin Ben began to make his mark on the game and found his range with several frees. However Thurles opened a 1-10 to 0-7 lead with further scores from Denis Maher, Bourke and Shane Ryan.
In a high-tempo game, tensions spilled over when Sarsfields attacker Richie Ruth and Newtown captain Dermot Gleeson clashed off the ball and both received yellow cards.
Newtown moved it up a gear and further scores from Ben O’Connor, including a great curled sideline cut, and a Clifford point ended the half 1-10 to 0-12.
A Ben O'Connor free tied up the game once more before Maher then sent Thurles ahead then Jerry O'Connor and Naughton moved the visitors ahead 0-15 to 1-11 in this absorbing encounter.
Sarsfields brought on Ger O’Grady for the closing stages and his involvement in an off-the-ball altercation with Newtown defender Pat Mulcahy saw both players shown yellow cards.
Two frees from man-of-the-match Ben O’Connor sandwiched another Maher point and squared it up again at 0-17 to 1-14.
O'Connor hit a superb lead point before Thurles midfielder Michael Gleeson replied with a 59th minute point, only for Jerry O'Connor to shoot Newtown ahead for the final time.
In added time Thurles came close to levelling through Lar Corbett and Bourke but Phil Noonan's Newtown side held on to book a semi-final date with Limerick champions Adare on November 15th.
Today's Results:
Leinster Club SHC
Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-20 Oulart-the-Ballagh (Wexford) 1-21 (aet)
Clonkill (Westmeath) 1-21 Clough Clough/Ballacolla (Laois) 2-12
Munster Club SHC
Newtownshandrum (Cork) 0-19 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 1-15
Dublin Club SHC Final
Craobh Chiarain 0-12 Ballyboden 1-16
Clare Club SHC Final
Clonara 1-09 Cratloe 3-05