The 14th November 1999 at Fermoy GAA Pitch, will always hold very special memories for us, as it saw us crowned County Minor Hurling Champions after an enthralling contest with the seasiders of Youghal. Tremendous scenes of joy were witnessed in one of Newtown's favourite venues where many the County title was annexed.

This game was always going to prove a searching test of Newtown's character as the opposition were installed from favourites for this title well back in the autumn. For the huge parish following there wasn't a shadow of a doubt as to who would prevail and at the end of an absorbing hours hurling their dreams were certainly realised when on a scoreline of 2-9 to 1-9 they were crowned County Minor Hurling Champions. An indication of any side's worth is their ability to score from play and on Sunday 14th November they produced 2-8 out of a total of 2-9 from direct play with just a single point from placed balls. No double a few points more could have come from placed balls but on the day it didn't prove feasible to do so.

This side has shown great battling spirit throughout the Championship campaign and they once again had to draw on all their resources. They opened well inn this game, three great scores from Jason Finn, Ger Hayes and John Paul King settled them down and Youghal were off target for place balls but were beginning to look dangerous througout the field. A point from play followed by a great minor from outfield just left one between them. A well struck free was caught by excellent Newtown keeper John O'Connor but he was adjudged to have stepped behind the line by the umpire, despite protests the score stood and we knew then if not before that a real battle was on the cards. Another point from play put the seasiders two ahead and they should have gone three ahead when an easy chance went abegging from a free. As often happens these misses can prove costly and so it was.

Jason Finn won a great ball and he seythed through the Youghal defence for a cracking goal. This was a peach of a score excellently executed. A free to Newtown was converted by John Paul KIng for a minor putting us one ahead approaching half time. From a placed ball Youghal tied up the scores going into the break at 1-4 apiece. Whatever words were spoken in the Newtown dressing room at the break certainly sparked them to new life on the resumption. Almost from the throw in Diarmuid Naughton shot over a great point followed by a John Paul King minor. Youghal replied with a point from play. Then the goal which changed this game for the duration of the half, winning a breaking ball Shane Naughton finished it to the net to put us four ahead.

Another minor from a placed ball to Youghal was followed by a Diarmuid Naughton point. Youghal were by no means finished and three unanswered opints, two from frees left just the bare minimum between the teams. Heroic defence by John in goals, corners Keigh and Ger and full back Warren adied by an outstanding half back line of Ger Hayes, Alan O'Brien and Ronan Browne contributed to the end result. Centre field also worked hard with William McNamara and Richard Morrissey. This game was delicately balanced but like all year Newtown finished well. Points to Diarmuid Naughton and John Paul left three between the sides, although Youghal had the ball in the Newtown net it was deemed a square ball so perhaps justice was done for the other goal awarded against John O'Connor. This free out signalled the end of the game and there was ecstatic scenes on and off the pitch for the supporters of this side who had given of their all in their quest for victory.

Great credit to the back room staff of Gary Morrissey, Joe Ryan and Dick Byrne and earlier on in the year Ben O'Connor before he got tied into the Cork training regime, for their tremendous work with the side. John Paul in his acceptance speech was fulsome in his praise for all the lads for their wonderful achievement in this the first minor county title to come to the parish.

Now, the minor title rests alongside the County Under 16 Championship victory. A memorable year for the club without a doubt. The team received a great welcome home on Monday and were treated to a sit down meal and had the video viewed. Congratulations to the lads on a splendid achievement.

Scorers:
Jason Finn 1-1, John Paul King 0-4, Shane Naughton 1-0, Ger Hayes 0-1, Diarmuid Naughton 0-3

Newtownshandrum:
John O'Connor, Gerard O Mahony, Warren Bowles, Keith Morrissey, Ronan Browne, Alan O'Brien, Ger Hayes, Richard Morrissey, William McNamara, Kevin McNamara, J.P. King, Jason Finn, Declan Finn, Diarmuid Naughton, Shane Naughton.

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