The Vale Star
19th October 2000

ANY stranger trying to get through the village on Sunday night from about 9.30pm to about 7.00am the following morning would have had some difficulty in doing so. On a night to beat all nights, there surely was no greater sporting feat in the life of this hurling mad community

Sean Og made the long arduous journey from Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday evening after Newtown's thrilling success over Erin's Own in the Senior Hurling final and it took all of four hours to reach the village on Sunday evening. Firstly let me say we don't have that many people living in the parish, but on Sunday it felt like about 15,000, such was the huge level of support from all around us. From North and North West Cork, from South Limerick, from across the Irish and Atlantic seas they came.

I feel that a moment that will always remain a treasured memory was the huge gesture by the Dromina hurlers in forming a guard of honour for our players onto the field on Sunday 15h Oct. As the officials at Pairc Ui Chaoimh waited for the Dromina lads to come off the Park, there was no budging them and the officials just had to settle and wait. It was a magnificent gesture on their part and truly appreciated. I saw grown men weep at that moment. A parish we were, one and all.

When the whistle blew at 4.45pm on Sunday evening, all hell broke loose after a dramatic last two minutes when a penalty was awarded against us, taken, saved and scored on the rebound and then a free out awarded. Gerry O'Connor broke loose and was fouled and Ben scored with almost the last shot of the game. All the pent up emotions broke loose. We were senior champions for the first time ever. It's still taking time to sink in!

The homecoming was special. The huge convoy hit Newtown at 9.30pm after rousing receptions in Buttevant, Ballyhea and Charleville. They were met by blazing bonfires on the green of the old school house, a huge welcoming party under the glare of the spotlights (thanks John). From there the Millstreet Pipe Band led the convoy on the open top bus down through the village, (and memories will remain forever of that journey, where did all those people come from, it was electric) to the clubhouse and a constructed platform where they were given a massive reception. Speaker after speaker heaped praise on the side and the management team for their historic success. A special moment was when Pat Herlihy sang the anthem of '76, what a voice. The party began and it is still going.

Monday 16th October
At the Imperial Hotel in Cork all the panel and a lot of supporters gathered for the T.S.B. function and Man of the Match Award. It was a marvellous day and full credit is due to Erin's Own for turning up in their numbers also to the function. Tomas Mulcahy, in his presentation of the award, spoke in glowing terms of the achievement of Newtown in winning the title and saw it as a spur to other sides as to what could be achieved. Pat Mulcahy was the worthy winner of Man of the Match award.

Thanks to all who helped
To all those people who helped out in many ways at the homecoming, a very special thank you. There are people with the club who are never to the forefront, but when you call on them they are always available. They know who they are and I'm not going to mention names, but without them victory wouldn't be so special to remember. So, when the players look back these celebrations which will form part of their greatest memories, remember to thank those lads and lassies. Well done to one and all.

Monster Cup
The monster cup, firmly installed outside Ryan's pub was the brainchild of local men Dick and John Bradley. Thanks to both Dick and John.

Thanks to Supporters and Friends
To all those people who wished us luck, who contributed to the training and who travelled on Sunday 15th Oct, and those who turned out on Sunday night, a thousand thanks. It was special, it will never be forgotten and a lifetime of memories were crowded into that night. For the likes of Blackrock, Glen etc., it may not mean so much but to a samll place like ours, it meant the world and you all made it so special. Thank you one and all.