NEW TOWN SHAN - DRUM'S Premier Junior hurlers finished their playing season on a winning note at Shanballymore on Saturday when following a highly competitive Naughton Cup final they eventually saw off a stern challenge from a resolute Araglin side.

Whilst four points might have separated the teams at the final whistle with less than five minutes remaining the game appeared to be heading for extra time 1-12 to 2-9, but in the closing moments Newtown used all their experience and craft to emerge close winners and claim the first of the newly formed Winter Cup competitions formed by the Avondhu Board this season.

The opening stages saw both teams quick off the mark with John O'connor and Tom Kenneally swapping a point before both teams got through for a goal in a four minute spell. Newtown found the net through Kevin O'connor with Araglin responding when James Kearney cut in along the endline where his attempt for a point came back off the post with the sliothar falling kindly into the path of Pat Buckley who finished to the net from close range.

At this stage Newtown certainly held the upperhand with the O'connor brothers causing many problems in the half forward line and by the 20th minute they moved into a commanding 1-6 to 1-1 lead and seemed on course for a comfortable victory.

The remainder of the half saw the Araglin backline tighten up considerably while up front they made inroads with Vincent O'donoghue, Tom Kenneally, Seamus O'gorman and James Kearney doing well, In the 26th minute a sideline by Dave Browne found Seamus O'gorman who scored a great point from a difficult angle while from the puckout Araglin gained possession with Pat Buckley having his second goal following a mix up in the Newtown defence 1-6 to 2-2.

The momentum was certainly with Araglin at this juncture and a period of sustained pressure saw Tom Browne and James Kearney with late points give them an interval lead 2-4 to 1-6.

On the changeover the game really came to life. Newtown levelled matters courtesy of John Paul King but back came Araglin as they forced the Newtown defence to concede two frees in quick succession that were punished by James Kearney 2-6 to 1-7.

The scene was now set for the rest of the game with both teams eager to finish the season on a winning note. Newtown moved John Paul King to full forward where he played a major part in his sides victory when getting the next two points to get them back on parity by the 39th minute 2-6 to 1-9.

Exchanges continued to be close with James Kearney and Kevin O'connor trading a point by the 48th minute but at this stage Newtown seemed to have weathered the Araglin challenge when Donagh Stack pointed under pressure while Kevin O'connor with a well taken point moved them two clear. Back came Araglin and two points in as many minutes by James Kearney had the game all square for the seventh and last time at 1-12 to 2-9 with less than five minutes to go.

With extra-time looming Newtown showed the greater experience in the final moments and regained the lead when Donagh Stack gathered possession from Alan G O'brien's puckout and set up John O'connor for a long range point while further pressure saw Jerry Lane and John Paul King open up a three point lead.

Araglin stayed in touch when Tom Kenneally pointed but try as they might they were unable to reduce the deficit any further with Alan T O'brien and Jerry Lane adding late points that helped Newtown emerge close victors in the end.

After the game Shane and Cathal Naughton presented the Naughton Memorial Cup in memory of their late father Dermot to the winning captain John O'connor.

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: S Watson, D O'mahony, S Moran, S Young, E O'connor, R Fallon, A T O'brien 0-1, J P King 0-4, J. C Coughlan, K O'connor 1-3, J O'connor 0-3, D O'connor 0-1, P Noonan 0-1, D Stack 0-1, J Lane 0-3 (0-2f), Subs A G O'brien for S Watson, B Mulcahy for J C Coughlan

ARAGLIN: J Kenneally, K Fitzgerald, P Hickey, P Kenneally, T Lyons, S Russell, D Browne, V O'donoghue, T Kenneally 0-2 (0-1f), J Condon, S O'gorman 0-1, N Kearney, P Buckley 2-0, T Browne 0-1, J Kearney 0-6 ( 0- 4f), Subs: P. J. Aherne for P Hickey (blood), P Hickey for P.J. Aherne, P.J. Aherne for P Kenneally (injured), P Kenneally for J Condon

REFEREE: John Sexton (Ballyhea)

- Pat Ryan's