Michael Cusack hurlers finish fine season by winning their sixth
NSW GAA Championship Title

Michael Cusacks hurlers continued their unbeaten run this year with a convincing win over last year's championship winners, Sydney Shamrocks at Princes Park in Auburn on August 18, 2002.

Cusacks went into this game as favourites. However, with seven players having played in the men's football final just before the hurling match, Shamrocks must have thought they were in with a real chance. Cusacks Captain, John Cussan had other ideas though and was determined that the Cusacks dual players quickly got into hurling mode.

The first half was a reasonably close affair and Shamrocks only trailed by six points at the break. First half goals from Brendan Coleman from the penalty spot and a Seanie Fitz speciality had given Cusacks a lead, which they held on to for the rest of the game.

The second half was a different matter with Cusacks stepping up a gear. Great defensive play from Kevin Kelleher and J P Riordan on the Cusacks half back line
ensured that the Shamrocks forwards were kept at bay. Half way through the second half a Shamrocks penalty could have brought them back into the game, however, a great save from the Cusacks keeper deprived Shamrocks of their only real chance of coming close to the Cusacks.

The Cusacks defence was outstanding and only conceded five scores against them in the entire game. J P Riordan led by example at centre back while Ivan O' Brien had a great game in the corner.

Dual player, Ray Donovan dominated at midfield and the Shamrocks defence had no answer to Brendan Coleman and Seanie Fitz up front. It was a fine team performance and Team Manager, Eddie Moloney was happy to her the final whistle as Cusacks won by 2-14 to 2-3.

Team list:
Tom Lane (Cork), John Ahern (Cork), Ivan O'Brien (Limerick), Brian Daly (Cork), J P Riordan (Cork), John Cussan (Limerick), Keith Kelleher (Cork), Pierce Kennedy (Limerick), Ray O'Donovan (Cork), Brendan Coleman (Cork), John O'Donoghue (Tipperary), Rory Walsh (Waterford), Haulie Kenny (Limerick), Sean Fitzgerald (Limerick), Willie O'Brien (Waterford), Ed Beresford (Waterford), Neilus Murphy (Limerick), Paudie Hurley (Cork), Dennis Egan (Laois), Keith Brounder (Limerick), Ollie McLoughlin (Tipperary), Derek Dervan, Richie Foley (Waterford), Paul Hunt (Mayo), Kenny Kearney (Waterford).