St.Mary's ..............0-16
Rathgormack.........1-06

Nov. 19th 1978

St. Mary's from Touraneena made hurling history at Dungarvan's Fraher field on Sunday last when they scored a fully deserved victory over Rathgormack to capture their first ever junior hurling championship title. The large attendance who paid record receipts of £627 for a final in this grade were treated to a hard fought encounter with little between the teams on the score board right up to the final five minutes in which the Western champions pulled away with inter-county player Declan Fitzpatrick, who had been injured in the 53rd minute resuming and playing on and scoring three further points to clinch the issue and when referee Jimmy Moran sounded the final whistle there were scenes of rare excitement as their loyal supporters swarmed onto the pitch and savoured every moment of a historic victory.

Good Start
St Mary's got off to a very good start when Albert Burke hit the ball over the bar from the half-way line, Declan Fitzpatrick added their second in the 5th minute, after failing from a free. Michael Hickey was then clean through with the goal at his mercy, but drove the ball well wide. It was obvious at this point that Rathgormack had no answer to Mary's inter-county centre halfback John Dalton, who was dominating the exchanges at this point. Dalton quick free found D. Fitzpatrick and 'Fitzy' clipped over their third point. Pat Flynn opened Rathgormack's account and right half-forward Gerry Whelan quickly shot their second point. Young Whelan, who I understand won a U-21 County medal with Clonea, looked a stylish player, but when switched to centre field was a wasted asset.
Lar Whelan and John Fraher made it five points to two and with the pace hotting up Whelan discarded his helmet. D. Fitzpatrick pointed before Gerry Whelan replied with a similar effort for the eastern champions. A good move set up by Michael Hickey seemed certain to bring a goal, however, a free out resulted M. Hickey pointed in the 20th minute, seven points to three.

Only Goal
The only goal of the game came in the 23rd minute when full forward Dan Crotty slipped the defence with a clever fent and cracked the ball to the net. Good work by the speedy Tom Condon kept the eastern champions at bay. Declan Fitzpatrick was again on target from a free and the final score of the half fell to Gerry Cahill to leave the position at the interval: St. Mary's 0-8, Rathgormack 1-4, and both teams had it all to play for.

Scores level
On the resumption Rathgormack drew first blood when Dan Crotty put Michael Hassett in for a point and scores were now level. Gerry Whelan soloed his way down field but he passed the ball to a 'Mary's' player when challenged and D. Fitzpatrick hammered over another point and then added two more and with 36 minutes played it was (0-11 to 2-5). John Fitzpatrick whipped over another point. We now came to a key point in the game when the ball broke to Gerry Whelan 25 yards out and Whelan's pile driver seemed destined for the net until corner back Eamon Power got his hurley into effect a vital save and clearance. As the game entered the final quarter B. Drohan pointed a free to leave only three points between the teams and while St, Mary had been having much the better of the out-field exchanges the issue still hung in the balance.
Three wide's in quick succession by St. Mary's did not inspire confidence, then Declan Fitzpatrick was injured, however, he resumed after receiving attention and in the final six minutes played a vital part in clinching a historic victory for his team, scoring three further points, with Declan White scoring another to leave their winning margin a clear seven points.
Goalkeeper Ned Power, was as sound as ever between the posts, right full back Michael Gleeson stuck to his task well, full back Tom Power had some exciting tussles with full forward Dan Crotty, while Eamon Power's vital save in the second half from Gerry Whelan will be remembered. Wingbacks, Patrick Whelan and Tom Condon were always in the thick of things, with Condon in particular having a very good game. Then there was John Dalton who provided the necessary leadership in defence, particularly in the first half when he seemed to be everywhere.
At centre field Declan Fitzpatrick had one of his better games and was again the top scorer with no less than ten points to his credit (four from play), while team captain Lar Whelan, who also received a knock, got in a fair deal of work.
In attack Michael Hickey, John Fraher and John Fitzpatrick all displayed flashes of skill, while Declan White, Benny Walsh and substitute Michael Kiely also tried hard. Last, but by no means least was Albert Burke, who with John Dalton Tom Condon and Declan Fitzpatrick, was one of the stars of the occasion.
Rathgormack's best were: T. Halpin, Peter Crotty, Benny Crotty, B. Drohan, Michael Hassett, Ger Whelan, Dan Crotty and John Flynn.
After the game Co. Board Treasurer, Davy Power presented the cup to St. Mary's captain, Lar Whelan, who was carried shoulder high from the pitch.

St. Mary's scorers: D. Fitzpatrick (0-10), Lar Whelan, Albert Burke, John Fraher, Michael Hickey, John Fitzpatrick, D. White (0-1 each).
Rathgormack's scorers: D. Crotty (1-0), G, Whelan (0-2), P. Flynn, B. Drohan, M. Hassett, G. Cahill (0-1 each).

The line out was:

Subs: M. Kiely for B. Walsh

Rathgormack: T. Halpin, A. O'Neill, P. Crotty, N. Whelan, P. Cahill, B. Crotty, N. Kirwan, B. Drohan, J. Crotty, G. Whelan, G. Cahill, M. Hassett, P. Flynn, D. Crotty, J. Flynn. Sub: T. Harte for P. Flynn, T. Drohan for N. Kirwan, D. Drohan for G. Cahill.

Referee: J. Moran, Kilgobinet.