NEWCASTLE WEST PIP CROAGH IN THRILLING FINALE!!

West JUNIOR A Hurling Championship Final,October 26TH,2000,at ASKEATON.

Newcastle West.....................................................................................0-12

Croagh........................................................................................................1-07

Considering conditions, this was an excellent final at Askeaton. It was very sporting, intensely competitive, abounding in excellent displays and as down to the wire and as thrilling in its climax as any excitement seeking junkie could desire. The first quarter was poor enough. No score came until the 14th minute. A toughly contested opening half ended with us behind 0-3 to 0-4, after playing into the considerable wind. We were under a good bit of pressure, the forwards and midfielders were making few inroads, the backs were defending tenaciously, and Olly McCoy, Neilus Sheehy, Donal Horgan and Tony O'Connor were impressing the most. 

The quality of play improved considerably in the second half. Six minutes into the third quarter, we were behind, 0-5 to 0-6. A mini burst of scores put us in the lead, 0-7 to 0-6 in the 41st minute, and when it looked like we might be pulling away, Croagh responded with a bullet of a goal…..0-7 to 1-6.

Alan O'Connor's free made it 0-8 to 1-6at 49 minutes with Shane Kelly knocking over the leveler at 52. Seconds later, Maurice Hurley got the line, two yellows. Down to 14 and without the already suspended David Hurley, the injured Kenneth Mortell and flu victim Brian Quirke, Maurice's departure seemed to swing the verdict Croaghs way. We waited for the avalanche of scores….. they didn't come. Pa O'Connor went from no. 14 to no. 4, Martin Hennessy moved across to no. 6 and Mike Lane repositioned himself at no. 7, (maybe for the first time in his career). The team as a whole dug deep and fought bravely. For minutes there was no score. Then in the 58th minute, Alan O'Connor held his nerve to drive over a free. Two minutes later, Tony O'Connor, out at centre forward, first touched a brilliant pass from Donal Horgan to strike over the best score of the game. At this stage in injury time, Croagh made a last gasp effort to score what would have been a match winning goal. Heroic defence cleared it, it was returned and sent wide. Game over!!

Neilus Sheehy and Donal Horgan vied for man of the match in most peoples opinions, along with Mike Lane, outstanding at corner back, Olly McCoy, safe with great puck outs, and Tony O'Connor, who top scored from play with four points. Indeed all 15 can feel pleased with their efforts.

TEAM: Olly McCoy(Capt); Darren McCarthy, Neilus Sheehy, Mike Lane; Donie Gleeson, Maurice Hurley, Martin Hennessy; Donal Horgan(0-3), Shane Kelly(0-1); Alan O' Connor (0-4), Peter Curtin, Derry McMahon; Stephen Kelly, Pa O'Connor, Tony O'Connor. SUBS:Kevin Keating, James Nash, Mike O'Brien, Sean Barrett, Mike Mulcahy.