Sarsfields showed the kind of character you expect from defending champions on Saturday, bouncing back from a disappointing opening round defeat to Charleville with a win over Newtown that, while far from pretty, did exactly what it needed to do.
The result puts Sarsfields back in the mix after that early stumble, and while nobody in the camp will be doing cartwheels over the performance, three points is three points at this stage of the season.
It was a patchy display from the Cork side, who never really hit the heights their supporters know they are capable of. There were spells where the football flowed and moments that reminded everyone why they came into this campaign as the team to beat, but there were also long stretches where Newtown made things very uncomfortable and kept themselves well in contention.
Newtown deserve credit for how they approached the game. They did not come to make up the numbers and pushed Sarsfields hard throughout, refusing to let the champions settle into any kind of rhythm for long periods. Had a few chances gone their way at key moments, this could easily have been a different story.
But Sarsfields had enough quality when it mattered most. The experience of going through a full championship campaign and coming out the other side as champions counts for something, and that showed in how they managed the closing stages and got the job done despite never being fully convincing.
The defeat to Charleville in the opening round had raised some eyebrows. Charleville are a decent side but Sarsfields were expected to have too much for them, and when that result went against the champions it prompted questions about where their form was at and whether they could mount a serious title defence. This win will not silence all of those questions but it does at least show they are capable of responding when their backs are against the wall.
For Newtown, the focus now shifts quickly to their next outing. They will feel they left something behind here and will be eager to put in a stronger showing at the next opportunity. There is enough in this Newtown group to suggest they can be competitive in the rounds ahead, and this performance, even in defeat, showed they are not going to roll over for anyone.
Sarsfields will know they need to find another gear if they are serious about retaining their title. The performance against Newtown had too many rough edges to suggest they are back to their best, and the competition in this championship is strong enough that they cannot afford to keep turning in displays like this and expect to come through.
The management will have plenty to work on in training this week. The defensive structure looked shaky at times and the attacking play lacked the sharpness and movement that made Sarsfields so difficult to stop during their title winning run. Getting those elements right will be the priority before their next outing.
Still, a win is a win. In championship football, getting through the tough days when you are not at your best is often what separates the sides that go all the way from those that fall short. Sarsfields have shown they can do that, and their season is very much alive heading into the next round.