CLUB ROUND-UP:THE FINAL of the Cork senior hurling championship will have a novel feel to it after underdogs CIT and Carrigtwohill overcame Newtownshandrum and Midleton respectively at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

In the first game, CIT never trailed, a goal from Simon O’Brien in the fourth minute, after a Colm Casey delivery dropped behind the Newtown defence, opening up a 1-1 to nil lead. Points from Cathal Naughton and Jerry O’Connor threatened a Newtown revival as they cut the gap to a goal, but a second green flag for CIT, from Tommy Quaid after an O’Brien pass, ensured that the college side led by 2-4 to 0-5 at half-time.

A good individual goal from Ryan Clifford again gave Newtown hope as the gap was cut to six, but that was as close as they would come, Newtown failing to score after Michael Bowles’ 45th-minute point. Instead, CIT continued to rack up the points, with David Drake very impressive, and a 3-15 to 1-7 final scoreline did not flatter them as they moved into a first-ever final.

Midleton, favourites in the second game, might have been expected to guard against complacency after that, and they started well, moving into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside eight minutes.

Once Carrigtwohill, who hadn’t been in the county final since 1937, found their feet, however, they ate into the lead and points from Cork star Niall McCarthy and a goal by Michael Fitzgerald put them 1-7 to 0-6 up at the break. Poor Midleton shooting let them down badly in the second half, and Carrig held out to win by 1-10 to 0-10.

In the Limerick SHC semi-final Na Piarsaigh trailed Patrickswell by a point when they had David Breen sent off with 19 minutes remaining. But the dismissal sparked Na Piarsaigh into life and they fired over 10 points after the red card to win out by 0-20 to 0-15.

The other semi-final between Emmets and Ahane ended in a draw, 2-7 to 0-10.

Longford Slashers retained their SFC title when they got the better of neighbours Clonguish, 0-7 to 0-6, in extremely difficult wet and windy conditions at Pearse Park. Slashers led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the break and while Clonguish gradually closed the gap they failed to overhaul their rivals, for whom the free-taking of Colin Smith was vital.

Coolera/Strandhill are through to the Sligo football final following a 0-12 to 0-8 win over Curry at Markievicz Park yesterday. Niall Murray’s five points proved vital to the winners. But reigning champions Eastern Harps and Tourlestrane must meet again after their 0-9 apiece draw. Brian Egan’s stoppage-time free earned Harps a second chance.

In Tyrone, Paddy McNeice rescued Tyrone champions Coalisland with a stoppage-time equaliser at Dunmoyle yesterday, tying it up at 0-10 to 1-7 and sending a tense SFC quarter-final against Omagh to a replay.

Dromore and Ardboe also played out a draw, 0-10 each.