The following is the match report from the ©️ Midland Topic after our historic win in Newbridge, on this day 11th September 1983.

JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE RECORD HISTORIC WIN

JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE 2-7
SARSFIELDS 1-7

A state of shock exists here in Kildare, following one of the most sensational Gaelic football results in recent years. In putting up the finest display of courage ever seen in a Kildare Senior Championship final, Johnstownbridge captured the Dermot Bourke Cup by scoring an impossible victory over red hot favourites Sarsfields in Droichead Nua last Sunday.

In their first appearance in the final, they displayed remarkable confidence in themselves and were truly deserving winners. And for many of their supporters, to see their hopes realised was just too much. Tears flowed freely during a highly emotional presentation of the cup to the captain of Johnstownbridge, Phelim Farrell.

At half-time, this famous success did not appear to be on the cards. After kicking fourteen wides during the first half, and turning around to play 13 against a strong wind, the pre-match predictions looked certain to materialise. But the events of the second half brought forth the true grit which made Johnstownbridge the champions of '83.

Sarsfields, last year's champions and fielding fourteen intercountry players, were left stunned and in silence, deserted by their earlier boisterous supporters. Physically, the bigger team, their impressive credentials were in shreds. By comparison, Johnstownbridge supporters were moderate at first, perhaps being fully aware of the awesome task facing their team. But when needed, they rose to the occasion in full voice. And it was not their colours of blue and green which left Droichead Nua, stuffed away in coat pockets.

The game itself was played in beautiful sunshine. Johnstownbridge had switched Paddy O'Donoghue from No. 3 to No. 8, with the team’s coach, Eamonn O'Donoghue moving back to fill the vacant spot. Joe Doran coolly gave them a point after 6 minutes but a defensive error allowed Mick Walsh to score the Sarsfields goal after 7 minutes. Three minutes later, Phelim Farrell crashed the leather into the Sarsfields's net and they held a 1-2 to 1-0 lead after 11 minutes after Christy McNally had scored. With the brilliant Luke Dempsey proving too much for the Sarsfields defence, the winners attacked persistently, but to the frustration of their supporters, they shot wide after wide, 14 in all during the first half.

Barry Donoghue scored after 15 minutes, a point to which Sarsfields replied with a Christy Sweeney point. Paddy O'Donoghue fisted over another Bridge point before Dermot Earley sent dark clouds over the hopes of Johnstownbridge, with two points to leave Sarsfields trailing by only one point (1-4 to 1-3).

In the first 30 minutes, the favourites had looked very dangerous in attack and now 5 minutes into the second, they drew level. A point from Joe Murphy saw them in front with 11 minutes gone. Then, unbelievably, they failed to break the solidarity of the Bridge defence. Inspired by the outstanding performances of Kevin Cooney and Padraic Dermody, they held tight and with Colm Farrell and Bernard Doran growing in stature, the supposed superiority of Sarsfields began to disintegrate. Johnstownbridge sprang the wiry Val Callaghan from the subs bench and immediately he began to drill holes in the Sarsfields defence. Christy McNally equalised from a free in the seventeenth minute, then Callaghan came within a cats whisker of scoring the second goal for Johnstownbridge.

Fearing the worst, Sarsfields rushed in two subs together, and for a couple of minutes the pressure was off as Dermot Early pointed for them. But then came the score which rocked Droichead Nua last Sunday. A Jack Reilly pass found Barry O'Donoghue, who kicked ahead, and as the Sarsfields goalie quickly approached, he kicked to the left and into the net. A goal! In the 8 minutes which now remained, the Bridge emerged as champions. Their goalie, young Rickie Doran, blocked down a desperate shot from a goal seeker and it was cleared by Dermody. A sigh of relief. Early and Farrell exchanged points. One minute left, Christy McNally collected a Barry O'Donoghue pass and made it 2-7 to 1-7. In a last ditch effort, Christy Sweeney blasts over the bar. The kick out, the ref looks at his watch. Its all over. And hell breaks loose!

It was when the chips were down that the Bridge produced its best football. From the start, they showed little respect for their supposedly superior opponents, but it was in the second half that they really proved themselves worthy champions. 21-year old Kevin Cooney was magnificent at No. 5. Once again, he displayed a style above the ordinary. For many, he was Man of the Match. Luke Dempsey played as if his life depended on the result. Barry O'Donoghue became a legend last Sunday. Val Callanan's ability to hold, carry and deliver the ball was a terrific advantage in the second half to the Bridge. Padraig Dermody the ice-cool defender, Paddy Donoghue and Phelim Farrell, Colm Farrell and Bernard Doran from goalie, Ricky Doran to subs John Hurley and Joe Doran, they are heroes all. And behind all this, the great Eamonn O'Donoghue.

The team and scorers were: Ricky Doran, Bernard Doran, Eamon O'Donoghue, Padraic Dermody, Kevin Cooney, Colm Farrell, Sean Murray, Paddy O'Donoghue (0-1), Joe Donoghue, Luke Dempsey, Christy McNally (0-3), Barry O'Donoghue (1-1), Jack Reilly, Phelim Farrell (1-1), Joe Doran (0-1). Subs: John Hurley in for Murray (injured after 2 minutes), Val Callaghan in for J. Doran.

Bridging The Years. Johnstownbridge Gaelic Football Club - A History

©️ 2000 Johnstownbridge Gaelic Football Club