They became the first Cork side since Midleton in 1987 to reign in Munster, and they did it in their own unique swash-buckling style.

This was the free-wheeling, free-running, free-scoring Newtown side that had defied the odds in winning the intermediate championship in Cork in 1996; this was the possession-keeping, precision-passing, smart-hurling Newtownshandrum side nurtured by Bernie O'Connor that had won three Cork U21 premier titles on the trot; this was a return to the impeccable hurling that had seen them make the senior breakthrough in Cork in 2000.

In short, in club hurling terms, and even on a day when Ben O'Connor, their brightest star, was for once just another member of the constellation, this was practically hurling perfection.

Goalkeeper Paul Morrissey, despite a few uncharacteristic lapses when he was caught in possession, made three brilliant saves, including a penalty stop midway through the second half when the game was still in the balance.

Brendan Mulcahy added to a growing reputation at full-back in blotting out the challenge of four-time Allstar Gary Kirby, made two goal-saves of his own; his flankers, Alan T O'Brien and Gerdy O'Mahony, despite being caught early on for a goal apiece by Patrickswell's most dangerous player, Declan O'Grady, settled down to play their usual sterling game.

At centre-back was Pat Mulcahy, described by Bernie O'Connor in the days when he was still in charge of this side as his rock; how Pat lived up to that billing yesterday. He was immense, the bulwark on which foundered wave after wave of Patrickswell attacks.

Alongside Pat, Ian Kelleher and big-hitting Phillip Noonan, switched to good effect in the 20th, formed an exceptional outer line of defence and this trio conceded just three points in the hour, all from Eoin Foley on the right wing.

At midfield, Jerry O'Connor was again rampant, slotted four points from play, generally ran the show; well, generally just ran, and ran, and ran, always intelligently, always to good effect. Alan T O'Brien also did his bit, his pace and willingness to work always causing problems.

Up front, while the normally prolific Ben was being held to three points, pacy John Paul King was regal, four points all taken with panache, while youngster James Bowles added more red to the faces of the county minor selectors who had practically ignored him this year, finished with 2-3 from play and the man-of-the-match award (I would have chosen Pat Mulcahy).

Dan O'Riordan and Maurice Farrell, though both were substituted, also contributed several good touches, while subs David Mulcahy and Michael Morrissey also made strong impressions.

Credit especially to the Newtown management team of Patsy Morrissey, Seanie Clifford and Ger Cunningham, who have so perfectly fine-tuned the fitness and style of this side.

Paying tribute to Newtown is not to ignore or belittle the efforts of Patrickswell, far from it.

Despite being written off in many quarters beforehand, in a sterling opening 20 minutes they showed exactly why they had defied all earlier odds in Limerick in winning their own county title, defied those same odds to qualify for this Munster final.

Declan O'Grady did the early damage for them, stealing in behind the Newtown defence twice in the first 10 minutes to get on the end of two long balls from Ciaran Carey and Paul O'Grady, respectively, rattling the net each time.

Eoin Foley also did well, as did Paul O'Grady and Ciaran Carey in that period, while Michael and Anthony Foley were always in control at the back and wing-back Paul O'Reilly, despite being burned by the on-fire King, never gave up, showed some fine touches.

The Limerick champions were just a point behind at the break, 1-9 to 2-5, still in with a chance at 1-14 to 2-7 when Eoin Foley stepped up to take that penalty (softly awarded, let it be said).

Had they managed to convert all their early goal chances who knows what might have happened. Overall, however, they were outclassed, and even they would admit that.

It was hard to believe at times that this was just club fare, that it was almost mid-winter, as several of the Newtownshandrum points would have done justice to any arena, any occasion.

Scorers for Newtownshandrum: J. Bowles 2-3; J.P. King 0-4; Jerry O'Connor 0-4; B. O'Connor 0-3 (0-2 frees); A.T. O'Brien, John O'Connor, D. Mulcahy, M. Morrissey, 0-1 each.

Patrickswell: D. O'Grady 2-2; E. Foley 0-3; P. O'Grady 0-3 (frees); G. Kirby 0-1 (free).

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: P. Morrissey;, A. G. O'Brien, B. Mulcahy, G. O'Mahony; I. Kelleher, P. Mulcahy (c), P. Noonan; A.T. O'Brien, Jerry O'Connor; John O'Connor, B. O'Connor, J.P. King; J. Bowles, D. O'Riordan, M. Farrell. Subs: D. Mulcahy (Farrell 30+1); M. Morrissey (O'Riordan 34); D. Naughton (A.T. O'Brien 58); J. McCarthy (A.G. O'Brien 60).

PATRICKSWELL: E. Murphy; M. Foley, A. Foley, P. Earls; T. O'Brien, C. Carey, P. O'Reilly; P. O'Reilly, P. O'Grady; E. Foley, A. Carmody, P. Carey; D. O'Grady, G. Kirby, K. Carey. Subs: J. McDermott (Carmody 24); B. Geoghegan (K. Carey 47); B. Foley (C. Carey inj. 53).

Referee: S. McMahon (Clare).