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| Delvin's winning Intermediate Hurling Championship team, 2003. Back row (left to right): David Barry, Martin Forde, Anthony Clune, Padraig O'Shaughnessy, Kevin Williams (captain), Dinny Vaughan, Anthony Carolan, Ronan Mulligan, Ger Clune, Michael Malone, Tomas McEnerney, Damien McHugh, Peter Kelleghan (and his daughter Olivia). Front row, left to right: Darren McHugh, Barry Williams, Patrick Farrelly, J.P. Farrelly, Brian Farrelly, Gareth Halpin, John O'Shaughnessy, Niall Williams, Colin Gaffney, Daniel Clune (and mascot Oisin O'Grady), Francis McGrath, Cathal Nugent, Bernard O'Shaughnessy, John Cogan. CLICK PIC TO ENLARGE |
| 2003 Westmeath Intermediate Hurling Championship final DELVIN........ 0-11 CULLION........ 1-5 DELVIN won the 2003 Intermediate Hurling Championship title in Cusack Park on Sunday, August 31 after a three-point win over Cullion. It was Delvin's biggest title win since the 1953 dream team lifted the Senior Hurling Championship, and the club's first senior title since beating Southern Gaels in the final of the 1999 Junior 'B' Hurling Championship - then captained by William O'Driscoll. And victory was oh so sweet for the club - after losing three finals in six years (1996, 1998, 1999, twice to Cullion, and once to St. Oliver Plunkett's), many of those in the panel were preparing for their third (and some fourth) bite of the cherry. Cullion, who mounted a huge comeback in 1996 to break Delvin hearts, were also the only team this year to defeat Delvin's Intermediate hurlers in the six-match group stage, 2-9 to 1-11 on June 8 in Clonkill. However, Delvin still topped the group, and by virtue of beating Southern Gaels (Athlone) in the semi-final, the Valley made their way to a fourth final in seven years, and a rematch against their old rivals. THE BUILD-UP Despite the June loss to Cullion, Delvin have been consistent in balancing Junior Championship and Division 2 league campaigns, while coping with the demands of the Intermediate Hurling Championship. The Intermediate trail began with a clash against neighbours Turin. |
| Tweaked and trained following the arrival of new coach, Edenderry man Jimmy O'Grady, Delvin played much of their opening game with 14 men, but won out by 0-14 to 0-6. Next on the list was Lough Lene Gaels, Tomas McEnerney impressing in a game which saw Delvin run out the expected winners, 2-9 to 1-6. We were very unlucky to lose to Cullion on June 8, before a thrilling match against Southern Gaels ended on a 2-13 to 4-6 scoreline in favour of Delvin. Peter Kelleghan and Kevin Williams proved priceless on the day. The following week saw a trip to Clonkill to face a rested Crookedwood; an early 'Wood goal didn't discourage us, and a last-minute free from Kevin Williams earned the Maroons a 0-11 to 1-7 win. This result ensured qualification for the semi-final; a final group match against St. Brigid's ended in a facile 1-15 to 1-5 victory. THE BIG DAY A trip to the final was sealed, fittingly, in Cusack Park, with a 2-12 to 1-8 win against Southern Gaels on August 10, the key goals scored by John Cogan and Peter Kelleghan. Cullion emerged as our final opposition in the preceding semi-final, beating Lough Lene Gaels 3-13 to 1-11. And so, Delvin had three weeks to hone their skills and build on fitness levels, before they would face a team which contested the Senior Hurling Championship final just two years before. Sunday, August 31 came with a jangling of nerves. Preparations were complete, the village and surr-ounding areas bedecked with maroon and white, and an eerie calm descended as 2.15pm on Sunday beckoned. This young team's date with destiny had arrived. Delvin, sporting their new jersies sponsored by McEnerney's Bar (t/a O'Shaughnessy's), had their backs to the wall immediately as the final commenced. Points from Wayne Gilhooley and J.P. Reynolds fired Cullion into an early lead, but Delvin soon settled down. Three frees from Kevin Williams and an excellent point from play by his brother Niall gave us a well-deserved 0-4 to 0-3 lead at half time. However, Cullion hada host of chances to build a handsome lead. CONFIDENT Delvin made a confident start to the second half, Niall Williams pointing, finishing a flowing attack which has been the hallmark of Delvin's style of play this year. Three minutes later, Delvin led by a margin of three points with a point from Gareth Halpin. Cullion piled on the pressure, and responded with two points. Goalkeeper John O'Shaughnessy made an outstanding save from an almost certain goal for J.P. Reynolds. With ten minutes left on the clock, this Intermediate Hurling final was still very much up for grabs. |
| Delvin edged closer to the Promised Land when Jimmy O'Grady's charges, spurred on by a huge following at Cusack Park, went into attack. Kevin Williams pointed a free; two further wides by the star midfielder were followed by scores from Anthony Clune and Peter Kelleghan. The Valley led 0-9 to 0-5 with eight minutes left. An eerie and foreboding hush descended over the crowd when Cullion's Robbie Galvin, out of the blue, snatched the first goal of the game with seven minutes left. The Mullingar side, boosted no end, were within a point of a tie game. All of a sudden, the grave images of 1996 and 1999 came flooding back to the Delvin contingent. But teamwork and sheer belief held this unit together, and the battleplan became simple - holding on. Two more points, which could only be described as majestic in their timing, came from Padraig O'Shaughnessy and Kevin Williams (a free). The finishing post was now in sight, but as injury time beckoned, hearts stopped when Cullion were awarded a number of 65-metre awards; all dropped agonisingly into John O'Shaughnessy's area of responsiblity. The first almost resulted in a goal, but our efficient full back line dealt with the pressure, and the team held on valiantly. Referee Richie Heffernan blew the final whistle after what seemed an eternity, and the rest, as they say, is history. Delvin: John O'Shaughnessy; Gerard Clune, Bernard O'Shaughnessy, Daniel Clune; Patrick Farrelly, Cathal Nugent, John Cogan; Kevin Williams (captain, 0-5, frees), David Barry; Niall Williams (0-2), Padraig O'Shaughnessy (0-1), Anthony Clune (0-1); Damien McHugh, Gareth Halpin (0-1), Peter Kelleghan (0-1). CAUTIONED: P. Kelleghan. |
| "It can be said, with a certain amount of justification, that every player on the Delvin team played his part in this success..." - Westmeath Topic, Delvin v Cullion (I4/9/2003) |
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| John O'Shaughnessy initiates an attack against Cullion at Cusack Park. |
| Rest of Delvin panel: Colin Gaffney, J.P. Farrelly, Brian Farrelly, Barry Williams, Tomas McEnerney, Darren McHugh, Martin Forde, Ronan Mulligan, Mark Clune, Dinny Vaughan, Francis McGrath, Patrick Clune, Michael Malone, Anthony Carolan. TRAINER: Jimmy O'Grady. SELECTOR: Martin Newman. |
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| Kevin Williams and Peter Kelleghan hold aloft the Intermediate Championship trophy. |
| IHC CHAMPIONS 2003 |