Bandon wear down stubborn Newtown

Bandon Grammar School saw off the possibility of a shock defeat in Waterford as they rallied in the second half to see off Newtown 4-1 in the Munster Senior Schoolboys Cup quarter-final today. Last year’s beaten finalists, seeking a first title since 2009, went behind inside the opening minutes to a Wilko Von Schaeffer goal for the hosts. Newtown deservedly held that lead until half-time as Sam Butler and Ben Doyle enjoyed good games in midfield while Sliabh Wells starred between the sticks.

Jamie Petch created danger up front with few touches while Luke Fitzherbert worked tirelessly to keep his side’s noses in front. But Bandon, coached this year by John Dennis, turned the screw in the second half, as Scott Sullivan’s guile and experience began to tell. They levelled it when Ben Scott bashed in an alert corner rebound before Darren Sweetnam – recently given his debut by the Cork senior hurlers and starring for two Munster rugby sides – showed his hockey touches haven’t been dulled by his commitments to other sports, as he reversed home a corner rebound from a tight angle. Mark Kingston then touched home at the back post from a crash ball and Julian Dale flicked home from close range to make it safe. That sees Bandon through to a semi-final appointment with Ashton – a repeat of the 2011 final – on a provisional date of March 9.