Played on a near perfect sod but in greasy conditions, this game lived up to all pre match expectations and the big crowd present was treated to some excellent scores, some fine individual performances and a stirring second half.

Rathmore lined-out with numerous proportional changes to their original line-up, the most notable of which was the moving of Shane O Neill to the orner to mark Gneeveguilla s chief marksman Ronan McAuliffe.

Gneeveguilla took this game by the scruff of the neck from the throw-in and with Fergus McAuliffe lording exchanges around midfield, the winners jumped into a three points to no score lead.

By the 13th minute their lead could have been greater had Aidan Donnelly availed of a couple of good goal scoring chances during that period.

Michael O Riordan opened Rathmore s account in the 17th minute but Gneeveguilla responded with further scores from Michael Murphy and Ronan McAuliffe to take a 0-5 to 0-1 lead.

Arthur Moynihan scored the game s only goal five minutes before the break after being put through by Aidan Donnelly and Michael Moynihan.

Damien Casey for Rathmore and Michael Murphy exchanged points before the break at which stage Gneeveguilla enjoyed a 1-6 to 0-2 lead.

It was a lead that by no means flattered them. Their defence, especially Lawlor, Murphy, Herlihy and Sheehan, completely closed down the Rathmore dangermen, O Riordan, McCarthy and Casey, and it was left to Stephen Lehane to plough a lonely furrow up front for Rathmore.

DJ Cahill of Rathmore and Michael Moynihan, after a strong run, swapped scores on the resumption and John Sheehan saved Gneeveguilla when he cleared off the line after Patrick McCarthy s shot had beaten goalkeeper Gerard O Sullivan.

Rathmore moved Shane O Neill out around the centre of the field at this stage and his strong play, and improved performances from John Buckley and DJ Cahill, saw Rathmore enjoy far more possession as the third quarter progressed.

The losers laid siege on the Gneeveguilla goal and points by Damien Casey (two) and DJ Cahill had the margin down to a manageable four points at the three quarter stage.

Good points by Ronan McAuliffe and Michael Murphy gave Gneeveguilla breathing space but from there to the end they had to withstand a tremendous Rathmore onslaught.

Points by John Buckley, Damien Casey and Michael O Riordan saw just a single goal between the sides but tremendous play by Eoin Lawlor, John Sheehan and PJ Murphy in the Gneeveguilla defence saw them weather the storm.

A mighty catch by Eoin Lawlor presented captain Fergus McAuliffe with a free from fifty yards which he converted for the insurance score in the final minute of a match that will live long in the memory.

As already stated, Gneeveguilla had many heroes in defence and Fergus McAuliffe got great support from Ambrose O Donovan around the midfield. Their half forward line was excellent throughout and inside Ronan McAuliffe and Arthur Moynihan were always threatening.

Overall, it was a very good team performance from Gneeveguilla who were well turned out by trainer Richie McAuliffe.

Rathmore never got into their stride. Their defence was under constant pressure with Shane O Neill, James O Sullivan and Kieran Cahill striving manfully.

Midfield did improve with the switching of O Neill to this area for the final 20 minutes and Rathmore will rue the fact that they conceded this area to their opponents for the greater part of this game.

Up front young Michael O Riordan and Damien Casey rarely got the better of the manto-man exchanges against Eoin Lawlor and John Sheehan respectively though O Riordan was very nearly in for an equalising goal in the final minutes being pulled for overcarrying by referee Brendan O Riordan.

After the game James O Brien of O Brien s Bar, sponsors of the championship, presented the Maurice Mottie O Donoghue Cup to Gneeveguilla captain Fergus McAuliffe. Teams and scorers: Gneeveguilla: Gerard O Sullivan, Brian McSweeney, Eoin Lawlor, Dermot Herlihy, Thomas Carmody, PJ Murphy, John Sheehan, Fergus McAuliffe (0-1), Ambrose O Donovan, Aidan Donnelly, Michael Moynihan (0-2), Ronan McAuliffe (0-4), Arthur Moynihan (1-0), Gerard Moynihan. Subs: Declan Buckley, Brendan Sheehan, Kevin Dennehy. Rathmore: Denis Reen, Michael O Sullivan, Kieran Cahill, Shane O Neill, James O Sullivan, Donal Casey, Tim Lynch, John Buckley, (0-1), DJ Cahill (0-2), Stephen Lehane, Damien Casey, Michael O Leary, Paudie O Keeffe, Patrick McCarthy, Michael O Riordan. Subs: Daniel McCarthy, Ian Kelleher.

Referee: Brendan O Riordan of Scartaglin gave straight red cards to Daniel McCarthy, Rathmore and Brendan Sheehan, Gneeveguilla.

The referee s task was not made easy by the insistence of some players from both sides in getting involved at the slightest of provocation.

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