Sliabh gCua ...............3-10
Portlaw.......................1-10

05-November-1989
A MASTERFUL display by full forward Kieran Power paved the way for Sliabh gCua's victory in the Intermediate Football County Final which was played as curtain raiser to the Senior Football County Final replay at the Dungarvan venue on Sunday last. The big full-forward, who flew home from New York with James Butler for the game, dominated the exchanges and in all, scored a grand total of 2-5 as the former John Mitchell's star turned on a dazzling display.

Playing with the breeze in the first half Sliabh gCua were rocked back on their heels when Brendan Coffey struck for a Portlaw goal in the tenth minute to put Portlaw in front (1-1 to 0-2).
Back came the Western champions and goals per Eamonn Butler 12th minute and Kieran Power 18th minute left the score at 2-2 to 1-2. They then added three points to one for Portlaw to lead by 2-5 to 1-3 at the break.

Third goal

On the turn over Kieran Power pointed for Sliabh gCua, while D. Larkin kicked a brace of points for Portlaw (2-6 to 1-5). In the 37th minute Kieran Power put Pa Hallinan through but his shot for goal went wide of the upright. The vital third goal come per Kieran Power in the 44th minute when his left footed ground shot rattled the net (3-7 to 1-5).
Portlaw battled bravely and came back to score five more points, but hard though they tried they were unable to score the goal they so badly needed. Fittingly, the final point came per Kieran Power in the 59th minute.
A deserved win then for Sliabh gCua for whom John Dalton, Michael Butler, Tom Whelan and Roger McGrath were excellent in defence. Tom Condon and James Butler played well at centre field and if Kieran Power was the star up front young Kieran Hallahan, John Hallinan, Pa Hallinan, Pat Hearn, Eamon Butler and substitute Eamon Lonergan also played there parts to the full.
For Portlaw Liam Callaghan, Eddie Rockett, Brendan Coffey, Paudie Coffey, Michael Rockett, Daithi Foran, David and Tomas Larkin were best.

Presentation

After the game Co. Chairman, Mr. Eamon Murphy, presented the cup to Sliabh gCua team captain Roger McGrath amid scenes of wild excitement.

Fantastic

Sliabh gCua trainer Ned Power termed it as a fantastic victory. After last year we just had to win this one he stated. It had been very close at one stage in the second half, he felt as Portlaw came at them.
James Butler, home from New York for this final, felt that all the travelling had been worth while, Yes, he would come back in 1990 for the senior championship if he was asked.

Sliabh gCua scorers: K. Power (2-5), E. Butler (1-0), J. Hallinan (0-4), K. Hallinan (0-1).
Portlaw scorers: B. Coffey (1-0), T. Larkin (0-5), D. Larkin (0-2), D. Foran, P. O'Brien, E. Rockett (0-1 each).

The line out was:

Subs: Eamon Lonergan for Pa Hallinan, Moss Power, John Fraher, Seanie Kearns, Anthony Butler and Jermiah Connors.

Portlaw: M. O'Brien, L. Callaghan, J. Kiely, D. Keane, J. Power, E. Rockett, G. O'Brien, B. Coffey, M. Rockett, D. Foran, P. Coffey, E. Corcoran, P. O'Brien, D. Larkin, T. Larkin. Subs: J. Hennebry for J. Power, D. De Paor for E. Corcoran.

Referee: Johnny Moore (Dungarvan).

Back Row: Moss Power, Kieran Power, James Butler, Mike Butler, John Hallinan, John Fitzpatrick, Ned Burke, Eamon Butler, Tom Condon, Pa Hallinan, John Dalton, Brendan Tobin, John Fraher.
Front Row: Pierce Butler, Eamon Lonergan, Sean Kearns, Anthony Butler, Pat Hearn, Roger McGrath, Kieran Hallahan, Tom Whelan, Gerard Butler, Jermiah Connors.