Sliabh gCua ..............0-06
Newtown....................0-05

24th Nov. 1991
Sliabh gCua footballers won there second county Intermediate title in three years at rain lashed Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon when they came from behind to earn victory the hard way over a Newtown side that battled bravely all the way to keep the rival supporters who braved the appalling elements here to witness a most exciting contest which was a credit to both teams.

Appalling conditions

On Sunday last Dungarvan's Fraher Field was no place for the lukewarm supporter as spectators had to stand out in the elements as they were buffeted by a gale force breeze and driving rain. Sliabh gCua's Sean Whelan put it to us that charging £3 for spectators in such conditions was a bit steep.
It was an interesting observation as yet another year has passed without any resembalance of cover being provided at the Fraher Field. Even the sideline dugout was non-existent as the roof over the dugout was blown away in the recent storms.
For our part we went outside the wall on Curran's boreen side of the ground and obtained some cover behind a pillar with an umbrella in the company of Pat McGovern.
It was next to impossible to take notes as the rain bucketed down. Still for all of that the game itself held one's interest right up to the final whistle - as to 'Dungarvan's Fraher Field it's a subject that we will return to in the weeks ahead.

Newtown in front

Newtown, playing downfield into the country goal, had the assistance of the very strong cross breeze in the first half and they had much the better of the first half exchanges.
However, scoring was no easy task for the players here and in that opening period the Eastern champions possibly fritted away their chances of causing an upset here as they kicked several wides from play and from frees.
In all fairness it has to be again emphasised that the prevailing conditions made score taking something of a lottery, as players slipped and skidded all over the place.
Centre half forward Michael Hubbard, who had a fine game here, pointed a free in the 6th minute to open the scoring and then he kicked over a fine point from play in the 11th minute.
In the 16th minute corner forward Danny Walsh looked to be in for a goal, but his effort was cleared to safety. Michael Hubbard pointed again in the 26th minute. Then in the 28th minute J.P.Fitzpatrick, going forward, was fouled and Sliabh gCua were awarded a penatly.
The task was allocated to John Hallinan as Billy Walsh steadied himself on the Newtown goal-line. Hallinan's pile driver skimmed well wide of the upright to crash into the railing behind the road goal.
It was a set-back for the Western champions and a boost for Newtown who went in at the break leading by 0-3 to 0-0 - yet one felt that Sliabh gCua, with wind advantage in the second half, could still lift the title.

Great save

On the turnover Billy Walsh effected a great save in the Newtown goal, before John Hallinan pointed in the 34th minute to open Sliabh gCua's account. Still Newtown's hopes soared when wing forward Paul O'Donnell drove over a fine point from play as the whistle sounded for a tackle on him - referee J.J. Landers wisely allowed the score to stand, 0-4 to 0-1 in the 40th minute.
Still Sliabh gCua were back in contention in the 43rd minute when John Hallinan's gained possession from a Kieran Hallahan free kick to kick over their second point.
In the 46th minute young Eamon Lonergan, who turned in what was possibly his best ever display here, kicked over their third point (0-4 to 0-3) to a mighty roar from their supporters who at last were beginning to scent victory.

Sliabh gCua go in front

John Hallinan pointed a free in the 51st minute to level it up at four points each and Sliabh gCua then hit the front in the 53rd minute.
They were awarded a free about 40 metres out to the right of the posts, again the task fell to John Hallinan, earlier he had seen his penalty kick go wide of the upright, yet in our view this was a much more important kick as his well directed effort sailed over the bar. He was fully entitled to feel pleased with his overall performance in this keenly contested final.
Newtown in fairness stuck to the task with Kieran Dunphy excelling at centre half back, while Jim Harney was very sound in the full back berth. Tony Joy also stood out in defence, where Patsy Dunphy, Bill Cummins and John Harney also held up their ends.
Inter-county player Peter Queally was the best midfielder on view, with Patrick Foran working hard and if Michael Hubbard took the honours up front, Paul O'Donnell and Jason Boland also did well with Danny Walsh, Billy McCormack and Andy Hubbard trying hard. They introduced two substitutes, one of whom was Nicky Hally.

Injured

As the the ball came across the Newtown goal, their keeper Billy Walsh who had played really well had to come outfield to save and in an accidental clash he sustained a leg injury.
Play was held up for several minutes as officials from both clubs attended to him. We noticed Pat Sullivan from Passage outside the railing, we called him and advised that there was a 'stretcher' up in the dressing rooms.
He duly collected the stretcher and arrived down at the Newtown goal area as the officials were carrying Billy Walsh off the pitch. He was placed on the stretcher and carried from the pitch by Peter Power, Greg Fives and officials from Newtown.
An ambulance had arrived as we were leaving the venue after the game. We extend our best wishes to Billy Walsh for a speedy recovery.

Urging on their charges

As the play was held up one could see the officials out on the pitch urging on their charges. Sliabh gCua's Ned Power passed by as he roared out encouragement to his charges.
Eamon Lonergan pointed in the 63rd minute. At the other end Brendan Dwyer, who kept a good goal, saved well from Peter Queally. A free in the 65th minute saw Michael Hubbard pointing (0-6 to 0-5).
In the final seconds Sliabh gCua held firm to achieve victory for the second time in three years.
Brendan Tobin, Tom Whelan, Roger McGrath and Seanie Kearns impressed on the wings in defence, where Pa Hallinan conceded little at full back and James Butler, who came home from New York, showed that there is no substitute for experience when the chips are down.
Tom Condon and Declan Kiely worked hard at centre field, while Kieran Hallahan, J.P.Fitzpatrick, Pat Hearn and Philip McCarthy worked hard up front, with David Whelan and Raymond Ryan coming in to share in the glory.

Presentation

After the game county board chairman, Eamon Murphy, presented the cup to Sliabh gCua's captain Tom Condon and despite the rain we have no doubt that the celebrations will be enjoyed and sustained.

Sliabh gCua scorers: J. Hallinan 0-4, E. Lonergan 0-2.
Newtown scorers: M. Hubbard 0-4, P. O'Donnell 0-1.

The line out was:

Subs: David Whelan for Philip McCarthy and Raymond Ryan for Pat Hearn, John Flynn and Laurence Boyle.

Newtown: Billy Walsh, Patsy Dunphy, Jim Harney, Bill Cummins, John Harney, Kieran Dunphy, Tony Joy, Peter Queally, Patrick Foran, Paul O'Donnell, Michael Hubbard, Danny Walsh, Jason Boland, Andy Hubbard, Billy McCormack.

Referee: J.J. Landers (Affane/Cappoquin).

Back Row: Tom Condon, Sean Kearns, John Hallinan, Brendan O'Dwyer, Pa Hallinan, Declan Kiely, Philip McCarthy, James Butler.
Front Row: Roger McGrath, Tom Whelan, Pat Hearn, J.P. Fitzpatrick, Eamon Lonergan, Kieran Hallahan, Brendan Tobin.