county league junior a hurling Final,1996,at askeaton.

Newcastle West.....................................................................................2-09

patrickswell..........................................................................................2-06.

This thrilling final had the best of hurling.  The Well set a senior type pace, they were as skilled and tough and ambitious as hurlers from elite clubs are and if we had faltered or doubted or taken a rest, we would have been walloped.  Twelve months ago, we would have been flattened after 15 minutes.  Now after 9 months or so of adherence to Murphy’s Law we are able to stand your ground and fight it to the bitter end.

Patrickswell had a strong team in action.  It featured a mix of veterans, former seniors, such as Eamonn Kelleher and young guns soon to be senior regulars such as Paul Carey, Natal O’ Grady and Tony O’ Brien.  They were flying fit, single minded, ambitious, intent, confident, well supported as you would expect top clubs to be.  That they were hugely disappointed to lose is a measure of their ambition and expectations.  We were on top in the first half.  Liam Murphy was brilliant at midfield and won an amount of possession.  John Peter at centre forward oozing class, and who has never played better, complemented him, while the Doc at No.6 was masterful.  These were the generals who gave us the edge.  However, we got nothing soft from the Well and without Liams accuracy from frees and a brilliant John Peter goal we would have been in trouble.  As it was we lead 1-6 to 0-3 at the interval with 0-4 coming from sharpshooter Liam.  We expected a ‘Well onslaught from half time and it came.  Goals were on their agenda and but for Ollie McCoys brilliance they would have had more that the two they scored at 13 minutes.  It was 0-11 each at 18 minutes and the chips were down.  From there to the end was as gooda hurling contest as you could see.  The crowd revelled in the exchanges and roared.

Patrickswell threw everything at our backs and they stood out their ground, all seven of them.  It was 0-12 apiece at 22 and looking like a draw until almost an time Derry McMahon goaled.  Patrickswell came again, but the resolute Magpies were not to be denied and for grass chewing chairperson, Curtin, fellow selectors Jack Egan and Denis Noonan, trainer par excellence Liam Murphy, Captain Fantastic John ‘Doc’ Danagher and their gutsy determined team there was a major adult trophy on the side board at last after many a barren, trophyless years joy was unconfined.  This team has fine spirit, but the fitness to express this is the result of training.  For that all credit to Liam Murphy who set high standards and maintained them.  His commitment is exemplary and single-minded and the players have responded.  On the night all seventeen who played, played very well.

All passed with flying colours.  However, four stood out, nearly getting the full 10.  John the ‘Doc’ Danagher has been starring at this level for a decade and more.  He has never played a better game.  Liam Murphy was excellent in general play and from frees.  If John Peter Cremin could get a bit of extra pace from somewhere Tom Ryan would be calling.  And when Ollie got numerous pats in this back after his superb second half save it was only deserved acknowledgement of the brillant part he played in the win.  But as has often been said no bird flew on one wing, and as the ‘Doc’ put it so well in his acceptance speech it is the entire panel of 25 or so that the credit goes to for our Co. Junior League win of 1996.  Well done to all!!

TEAM:Olly McCoy;Pa O'Connor,Mike Lane,Fr. Seán Harmon;Maurice Hurley,John Danagher(Capt),Dan O'Connor;Liam Murphy(0-5),Willy Hurley;Shane Kelly,John Peter Cremin(1-1),David Hurley;Derry McMahon(1-2),Joe McMahon(0-1),Liam Keane.SUBS:Neilus Sheehy,Diarmuid Cahill,,Tony O'Connor,Brian Hanley.

West championshp junior a hurling Final,1996,at Coolyrue.

Newcastle West.....................................................................................2-09

granagh/ballingarry........................................................................3-05

TEAM:Olly McCoy;Neilus Sheehy,Mike Lane,Pa O'Connor;Maurice Hurley,John Danagher(Capt),Dan O'Connor;Liam Murphy,Willy Hurley;Donie Gleeson,John Peter Cremin,David Hurley;Derry McMahon,Liam Keane,Joe McMahon.SUBS:Neil McGowan,Tony O'Connor,Shane Kelly,Peter Curtin,James Hennessy,Tony Ahern,Diarmuid Cahill,Fr. Seán Harmon,(inj.)