St. Mary's....................2-07
Ballygunner..................1-09

06-November-1983
St. Mary's (Touraneena) Intermediate hurlers have won their second county title in this grade at Walsh Park on Sunday last, when they staged a strong last quarter rally to snatch victory in dramatic fashion from a Ballygunner side which for three quarters of an hour had played fine hurling.

St. Mary's whose previous success was achieved in 1980, never really clicked in the opening exchanges. With the usual accurate Declan Fitzpatrick, who played despite a recent illness, for once was well off target from frees and from play they were not getting the scores in a period when Ballygunner were notching up the scores at the other end.

The play

Ballygunner had early points from Paul Warren (free) and Johnny Connors before veteran Vinny Connors nipped in to rattle the net in the 5th min. John Connors added a further point from a free in the 6th minute to put the Eastern side six points clear.
Declan Fitzpatrick uncharacteristically drove two frees wide at the other end before Albert Burke opened St. Mary's tally with a point in the 10th minute. Then Charlie O'Sullivan chipped over a point for the 'Gunners. St. Mary's called up Lar Whelan to take a free and he drove it straight and true for a point. Still Ballygunner had two further points to lead by 1-05 to 0-02 with 18 minutes played.
Now St. Mary's struck back and Lar Whelan pointed 2 frees and Declan Fitzpatrick added one from play (1-05 to 0-05) with Paul Warren pointing a 65 at the other end. The hurling was very good at this stage.
The final first half score came for Gerry Connors and at the interval Ballygunner led by 1-07 to 0-05.

Low Scoring

On the turn over the play was again fast and furious and the hurling was quite good, especially when one takes into account the tacky nature of the underfoot conditions.
John Connors in the 35th minute and John Fraher in the 40th minute exchanged points. Sean McGrath had come on for Albert Burke who was forced to retire with a hand injury. Burke had recommenced the second half at corner forward despite his obvious difficulties. After a few minutes it became clear that he could not carry on any longer and John Fraher moved from defence to attack. In the 44th minute, Declan Fitzpatrick conceded a free on his own 20 metre line and John Connors pointed to made the score 1-09 to 0-06 and they were hurling well at this point.

Finished stronger

St. Mary's half backs Declan Kiely, John Dalton and Tom Condon were now out pacing their opponents and the switching of Patrick Whelan to centre field to oppose the here to fore rampant Ballygunner veteran Tony Cummins also was a key factor. In attack John Fitzpatrick was at right half forward and he also faired somewhat better on Jim O'Keeffe, who was Ballygunner's best player. Lar Whelan had a point in the 45th minute to narrow the gap. In the 49th minute St. Mary's were awarded a 20 metre free and Lar Whelan's low shot went to the net 1-09 to 1-07.
St. Mary's were now in full flight and the excitement was at fever pitch as the sloiter flashed up and down the pitch. Vinny Connors got a chance, but Ned Power effected a vital save and the Touraneena sides defence were now well on top. Still with 57 minutes played, Ballygunner were still clinging onto their lead. Quite a few times they were forced to clear over the side line as St. Mary's continued to launch attack after attack.
A long high ball into the Ballygunner goal area was caught by Declan White and the big full forward found the net to put them ahead for the first time in this really good county final. Ballygunner steadied and were awarded three vital frees. The first on the halfway line Paul Warren topped he shot and the ball only travelled 30 metres. The second was 45 metres out, but Ed. O'Sullivan's shot drifted wide of the upright and with normal time up the appeared to be that. Still Ballygunner tried desperately to save the day and as play entered the 62nd minute they were awarded a free approximately less than 40 metres out and to his own dismay Johnny Connors shot also went wide of the upright.

Solid Performance

St. Mary's stuck to their task throughout and while for once they were without those extra points per Declan Fitzpatrick their fitness, strength and more direct hurling eventually brought its reward. To be fair to Declan Fitzpatrick it has to be clearly stated that when he switched to centre field late in the first half that he really came into the game and produced some typical bursts.
Ned Power, Tom Power and Eamon Power were solid defenders behind a really good half back line of Declan Kiely, John Dalton and Tom Condon which laid the foundation for this victory. Gerald Butler tried hard at centre field, while Billy Esmonde, John Fitzpatrick, John Fraher (in defence and attack) and Patrick Whelan were others to show up well. Not for getting Declan White, Albert Burke and substitutes Sean McGrath and Pat Hearn. While Lar Whelan was unquestionably St. Mary's man of the match.
Ballygunner's best men were Michael Whelan, Paul Warren, Jim O'Keeffe, (who was their best player), Tony Cummins, John Connors, Ed. O'Sullivan, Gerry Connors and Vinny Connors at times.

St. Mary's scorers: Lar Whelan (1-04), Declan White (1-0), Declan Fitzpatrick, John Fraher, Albert Burke (0-1 each).
Ballygunner's scorers: Vinny Connors (1-0), John Connors (0-5), Paul Warren (0-2), Charlie O'Sullivan, Gerry Connors (0-1 each).

The line out was:

Subs: John McGrath for Albert Burke, Pat Hearn for Gerald Butler, John McGrath, John Michael Power, John Whelan and John Hourigan.

Ballygunner: Pat Flynn, C. Power, Ml. Whelan, John Fitzpatrick, T. Sullivan, P. Warren, J. O'Keeffe, T. Cummins, Ed. O'Sullivan, J. Warren, G. Connors, Jh. Connors, L. Whitty, C. O'Sullivan, V. Connors. Subs used: B. Fitzpatrick for T. O'Sullivan, J. O'Sullivan for B. Fitzpatrick , J. Cleary for L. Whitty

Referee: Tony Mansfield (Abbeyside).

Back Row: Micheal Quinlan (Selector), Pierce Butler (Chairman), Pat Hearn, John Hourigan, Declan Kiely, Eddie Kirwan (President), Declan White, John McGrath, John Dalton, John Fitzpatrick, Ned Power, John Fraher, Ned Burke (Selector), Tom Condon, John Power, Sean Whelan (Selector).
Front Row: J.P.Fitzpatrick (Mascot), Billy Esmonde, John Whelan, Gerald Butler, Brian Whelan (Mascot), Lar Whelan, Paddy Whelan, Declan Fitzpatrick, Aiden Fitzpatrick (Mascot), Tom Power, Eamon Power, Albert Burke, David Whelan (Mascot), David's teddy, Tomas Quinlan (Mascot).