Mitchels Retain County Title - But Relinquish Provincial Crown

Warwickshire Senior Hurling Final 

John Mitchels 3:9
Fullen Gaels 0:4

The 2005 Warwickshire Senior Hurling Final was the first meeting of two teams with vastly different backgrounds. 
John Mitchels, Warwickshire`s oldest club, have taken 6 County titles on the trot and since their reorganisation in the early 1990`s, they have been strong competitors on the field.
Fullen Gaels were formed this year and draw their players from the Manchester area. Prior to this years final they had played 2 championship matches, earning deserved victories over Erin Go Bragh and Roger Casements.
The game started at a hectic pace with both teams spurning chances before Mitchels finally raised the first flag of the game. The pattern continued throughout the first half, Mitchels making better use and adding occasional scores while Fullen Gaels shot several wides both from play and placed balls.
By half time Mitchels were ahead 6 points to 1, with most people hoping that the second half would provide more of interest. This turned out to be the case.
Within 2 minutes Fullen Gaels had their second point and shortly after were unlucky when a tremendous shot rebounded after striking the inside of the post and the sliotar was cleared by Mitchels.
Exchanges continued to be competitive and Mitchels lead was only 4 points as the game entered the final quarter, when the action started. The first incident saw John Mitchels fullback John Sheehan retire injured after being struck in the face by the goalbound sliotar, having fallen on the ground.
With the scores so close and Fullen Gaels showing themselves capable of creating scoring opportunities, this would have been a worry to the Mitchels followers. The team was reorganised and wily veteran Eamonn Mahoney introduced.
The final quarter was a triumph for Mitchels, whose superior preparation and match practice began to tell. The hard work put in by players who starred for Warwickshire in the Nicky Rackard Cup earlier this year started to show as the Fullen Gaels attacks were seen off and the Mitchels forwards began to find more space.
The first telling blow saw Wayne Healy pick up a rebound and finish to the net. Shortly after, Eamonn Mahoney repeated the dose and suddenly the pressure was off. In the remaining time Fullen Gaels tried again and again for a goal to kick start their challenge, but as is often the case goals can be very difficult to find when they are required most. At this stage they must have regretted their wides tally which would have been in double figures.
The only substantial change to the scoreboard was a further Mitchels game shortly before the end to leave them deserved victors, if slightly flattered by the 14 points margin.

 

Provincial Hurling Final of Britain - 2005 

Thomas McCurtains (London) 4:11
John Mitchels 3:9

John Mitchels victory in the 2004 Provincial Final was not only a tremendous achievement for themselves. It provided the platform for Warwickshire`s admission to the Nicky Rackard Cup, but put London clubs on notice that they could not take a challenge from elsewhere in Britain lightly.
It was against this background that London`s Senior "B" Champions Thomas McCurtains travelled to Pairc Na H`Eireann, to try to dethrone Mitchels as Provincial Champions. In recent years the teams have met on a number of occasions and while no-one was prepared to predict the winners, it was noted that McCurtains team was rated highly in London.
Unfortunately heavy overnight rain had made conditions heavy for the players. Against a strong breeze McCurtains started well with 3 points before Mitchels found the pace of the game and came back to level with 3 well taken replies. On the 20 minute mark McCurtains were 4 points to 3 up when Wayne Healy scored a great goal with a low angled shot that the goalkeeper could only deflect to the roof of the net, to put Mitchels ahead for the first time.
After their slow start, any kind of lead would be appreciated by Mitchels who had to face into the breeze in the second half. It was not to be however as McCurtains found the net twice in 2 minutes in the closing minutes to set them up for the second half, with a 4 point lead.   
Despite the definite advantage provided by the strong wind, McCurtains could not shake Mitchels off. Scores came slowly and the gap between the teams remained at 4 points until the final quarter when a shot through a melee found the net to stretch McCurtains advantage. Further points were added by both teams before Mitchels replied with a goal following a saved 20 metres free.
As the game entered its final minutes with Mitchels pushing for scores, McCurtains sealed the tie when a snappy ground stroke gave them their 4th goal of the game. There was still time for Mitchels to find the net, but when the long whistle was sounded by referee Chris McLeish (Tipperary), McCurtains were sitting on a 5 points lead.
In truth McCurtains were deserving winners on the balance of play, but once again Mitchels showed that Warwickshire teams can compete against those from London in most grades up to Senior "A". McCurtains were sharper, particularly in the first half, displaying combinations of play that only continuous match practice can bring and wil represent Britain in the All Ireland series.