It was unfortunate that the Cusack hurlers failed to reap any reward for their gallant efforts at the Annual Central Coast tournament in San Remo on the 20th of March 2005. A bad ruling in the "for and against" put a well-drilled team out of the competition and it was with a heavy heart that they surrendered the trophy, which they had captured last year. Beaten by three points in their final game after been told that they had a five point buffer put a damper on an otherwise excellent days hurling.

Hurling Team	Cork Boys	Hurling Manager Nelius	Hurlers Relaxing

Playing great rivals Sydney Shamrocks in the first game the boys played a great brand of fast open hurling. A very solid half back line playing clever ball to the free roving forwards was yielding regular points as John Quinlan, Eamon Ryan, Michael McKenna and David Carroll opened up the Shamrocks defence. Colm Moriarty was leading the attack well and with Wesley Ryan covering enormous ground at midfield Cusacks gradually edged ahead. A late goal from a free put Cusacks under severe pressure against the wind but a defence well marshalled by Paul Shanahan, Paudie Berry and John Meade kept them at bay. The final score was Cusacks 0-13 to Shamrocks 1-8 and the team was as follows: Mick Mulcahy (Youghal), John Meade (Kilmallock), Paul Shanahan (Sean Traceys), Ivan O'Brien (Claughaun), Donnacha Carr (Golden/Annacarty), Edna Everard (Moyne-Templetouny), Paudie Barry (Corofin), Steve Casserly (Castlegar), Wesley Ryan (Annacarty), Eamon Maguire (Kilmallock), Colm Moriarty (Mungret), Michael McKenna (Doon), John Quinlan (Charleville), Eamon Ryan (Sean Treacys) and David Carroll (Athenry).

In their next game Cusacks came up against a team who after being totally demoralised in their first game came out with all guns firing from the opening whistle. In a very hard and physical encounter both teams were finding scores hard to come by. Brian Forde, Niall Barron and the stylish Noel Mannion held the defence well with Declan O'Riordan outstanding at midfield. Level at halftime and facing the elements, Craobh Padraig scored a crucial goal and the best efforts of Michael Hickey, Mark Finnerty and Thomas Conway couldn't reduce the deficit. Craobh Padraig won by three points against the following Cusacks team: Mick Mulcahy (Youghal), Eoghan Cronin (Athlone), Brian Forde (Kildangan), Dave O'Brien (Churchtown), Mike Naughton (Dromina), Niall Barron (Mungret), Noel Mannion (Mullagh), Declan O'Riordan (Ruan), Frankie Stapleton (Kilmallock), Dave Clifford (Kerry), Michael Hickey (Dungourney), Thomas Conway (Fr Sheehys), Fergus O'Callaghan (Charlesville), Noel Farragher (Castlegar) and Mark Finnerty (Mullagh).

Hurlers having a laugh	Mick Mulcahy	Aftermatch beers

With the morale of the team very high, managers Nelius Murphy and Eddie Maloney are quietly confident that this squad will build on the successes of 2004 and will do the club very proud in 2005. Playing on the successful team in Gosford in 2004 were Neil Ronan from Ballyhea in Cork, Gary Hurney from Abbeyside in Waterford and Patsy Cahill from Croom in Limerick who have returned to Ireland and are currently starring for their county teams.