After surrendering their county title in 2001, Newtownshandrum bounced back the following year to qualify for a chance to claim a second county title in three years. The task ahead of the club was immense as Blackrock, the kingpins of Cork hurling and the reigning champions, were the opponents on this occasion. Newtown gave a good account of themselves in that game, however, ‘the Rockies’ know-how sealed a 1–14 to 0–12 victory. This defeat for Newtownshandrum made their victory in 2000 look like a flash-in-the-pan.
