COUNTY JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!

County JUNIOR A Hurling Championship Final,October 20TH,2001,at KILMALLOCK.

Newcastle West.....................................................................................1-16

Caherline..................................................................................................0-07

At Killmallock on Saturday last, the 20th of October, our hurlers captured the County Junior A Hurling Championship for the very first time and all at the club are delighted for them. Beaten finalists in '98, '99 and 2000, commitment and dedication have at last paid off, as Mike Lane, Willie Hurley, Derry McMahon et al reaped the rewards of a decade and more of effort and enthusiasm. 

The final wasn't hurling of the classic kind. Caherline were a physically strong team and very fit. We were on top from the throw in. The backs were resolute, Maurice Hurley a tower of strength at midfield, Stephen Kelly on fire at no. 13. It was Stephen who opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a goal. Caherline had their opening point in the 9th minute, but we were ahead at 19 minutes with Alan O'Connor on top form, picking off some great scores. From the 20th, to the 23rd minute, added three points to their total, but failed to score from a penalty and went in at the break 0-4 to 1-9 behind. At this stage we had lost Derry McMahon through injury, with Peter Curtin being introduced. 

It was all Caherline for the opening minutes of the second half. They owned the ball and our backs had to endure some anxious moments as the Caherline forwards, combining strength down the middle and liveliness on the wings made determined raids. However, Ollie McCoy was inspirational in goal, the full back line of David Hurley, Darren McCarthy and Mike Lane weren't bothered by the efforts of the Caher frontline, and 0-1 was the sum total the intense pressure yielded in an all out seven minute period. The siege was lifted, our main scorers, Stephen and Alan struck over some nice points and entering the final quarter, we were 1-13 to 0-5 ahead. Maurice Hurley, outstanding at midfield, had retired injured at this stage, Stephen Kelly had come out the field and Pa O'Connor had joined the attack. Maurices loss was a worry, but signalled a super 15 minutes from Donal Horgan, further points from Kevin Keating, sub Pa and Alan O'Connor allied to outstanding defence from the backs. Caherline scored 0-2 in the final 10 minutes. We had the final score of the game, a free from Alan O'Connor, and we captured our first ever Junior 'A' Hurling Championship title in convincing fashion. 

In a very sporting game, all our lads played very well. Ollie McCoy was outstending in goal, tying with Maurice Hurley, Stephen Kelly and Alan O'Connor in the man of the match ratings. The full back line, as mentioned, gave nothing away. Half backs Willie Hurley, Martin Hennessy and Ray Massey were on top of their game, as were Maurice Hurley and Donal Horgan in midfield. Derry McMahon was very promising until injured, his replacement Peter Curtin hurled very well, as did Shane Kelly and Kevin Keating. Corner forwards Stephen Kelly and Alan O'Connor excelled all through, while Tony O'Connor, on the sick list all week, played a notable part in the victory. From the subs bench, Pa O'Connor joined the game midway through the second half, scoring a fine point in the 26th minute. The remaining subs were not used on this occasion, but all contributed during the year. These included Neilus Sheehy, Brian Quirke, Steve Nash, Donal Lynch, Mike O'Brien, Barry Holland, Michael O'Grady and J.P. Cremin. 

Well done to Joe McMahon, Willie Hurley, John Danagher and Denis Noonan for masterminding the victory. Special mention also to previous manager Peter Curtin and trainer Liam Murphy for the hard work they put in since 1995. 

TEAM:Olly McCoy;David Hurley, Darren McCarthy, Mike Lane; Ray Massey, Martin Hennessy,Willie Hurley; Maurice Hurley, Donal Horgan; Kevin Keating, Derry McMahon, Shane Kelly; Stephen Kelly, Tony O'Connor, Alan O'Connor. SUBS: Peter Curtin,Pa O'Connor, Neilus Sheehy, Brian Quirke,Steve Nash, Donal Lynch, Mike O'Brien, Barry Holland, Michael O'Grady and J.P. Cremin.