Afamousfirstfor Oulart/TheBallagh

October 1994

Bonfires blazed in Oulart and its environs on Sunday night last, after the proud wearers of red and black beat St. Martin’s in Wexford Park to claim the club’s first Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship title, at the sixth attempt.

And the celebrations continued throughout the week, as players, mentors and supporters alike savoured a hard-earned victory which was just about deserved on the day.

A game of high drama and tension ended in a welter of excitement as Oulart/The Ballagh centre-back Liam Dunne landed a mighty point from an 80-yard free off the fingertips of St. Martin’s goalkeeper, Terry O’Dowd, with one minute left.

St. Martin’s had two chances to force a draw from frees in the dying stages, but both efforts went wide, to give Oulart/The Ballagh their first-ever crown after years of trying.

The Enniscorthy District side featured in their first final in 1974, and the only link between the two teams was provided by veteran Sean Moran - corner back 20 years ago, and a subsitute on Sunday last.

Oulart also endured heartbreak in the finals of 1975, 1982, 1989 and 1992, but all those bitter memories were forgotten around 4.36 p.m. on Sunday with the final shrill blast of referee Brian White’s whistle.

On such an occasion, many thought of the great Mick Jacob, who bowed out of the senior ranks without a medal to show for many years of superb hurling. However, Jacob played a key role in Sunday’s victory, acting as a selector along with Jimmy Prendergast and Willie Sunderland.

And manager-cum-trainer Tom Neville became an adopted Oulart man for the night too, as the celebrations began in the Talbot Hotel before the triumphant homecoming.

Oulart/The Ballagh have taken the week off training but will be back in action next week as they prepare to meet Camross of Laois in the Leinster championship.