30 July 1997
Manulla ........... 3 Erris United ............. 2
Manulla wrote a new chapter in the annals of Mayo football history at Milebush when they became the first club to win the Tuohy Cup on three consecutive occasions.
They overpowered the challenge of Erris United in a final that was far more one-sided than the score line indicated.
So dominant were Manulla, they had two goals disallowed and were denied two more by the woodwork. The match opened with a proverbial bang. Barry Cuffe gave Manulla the lead after just two minutes. But Eric Reilly, the prolific Erris goalscorer, equalised within thirty seconds.
Then the North Mayomen took the lead in the ninth minute when Martin McIntyre was on target following a sweeping attacking move.
Manulla were back on level terms before half-time, however. Kieran McDonnell rifled a free kick into the roof of the Erris net with power and accuracy.
The defending champions took complete control in the second half and Paul Cunningham secured a deserved winning goal a quarter of an hour from the end. He was set up brilliantly by a penetrating pass from Dermot McNicholas. McNicholas, who was having the game of his life, was unlucky not to score. Twice he hit a post with good opportunities.
Ray Clarke, the pacey Manulla frontman, had two goals disallowed in the closing quarter while Johnny Hennelly was unlucky not to score when he had Erris goalkeeper, Padraig McIntyre, at his mercy.
In the end, there was no doubting Manulla's superiority. But Erris, having lost the Westaro Cup final a few weeks earlier, were completely gutted.
Manulla: W. Barrett, M. Basquill, B. Cuffe, L. Ralph, G. Lohan, K. McDonnell, T. Cunnaune, J. Hennelly, D. McNicholas, R. Clarke, P. Cunningham. Res: T. Higgins (used).
Erris United: P. McIntyre, P. Munnelly, B. McGrath, M. Dixon, N. McNulty, S. Shevlin, M. McIntyre, P. Reilly, J. Coyle, G. O'Malley, E. Reilly.
Ref: M. Walsh (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Dermot McNicholas. . .splendid midfield performance.
