Kilmurry’s moment finally arrives with Munster glory against Firies

Beaten Munster finalists in 2022 and 23, Kilmurry’s moment finally arrived. It was a moment manufactured through their powerfully strong running game into the gale in the opening half.

To be ahead at the break, such was the strength of the elements, was to have one hand on the main prize.

Where they had been dominant and comfortable for so long, their play became a touch desperate and ill-disciplined at the finish.

In a game absolutely showered with cards, Kilmurry finished with 13 men inside the whitewash. Midfielder James O’Mullane walked for a second bookable offence on 51 minutes. His midfield partner Kyle Kelleher walked in second-half stoppages. In between, a member of their backroom team was sent off after making his feelings known on a particular decision to the linesman on the stand side.

Firies, for their part, were temporarily reduced to 14 when Pádraig De Brúin received a black card in the final quarter. Having failed to add to their 0-7 half-time total until the 46th minute, they peppered the opposition goal in the closing stages. Goalkeeper Jason McDonnell, though, was not for breaching.

Kilmurry didn’t actually add to their tally beyond the 47th minute. They didn’t need to. The five second half points they had kicked up to that juncture, through the outstanding Liam Wall, John O’Mullane, Kyle Kelleher, and Lawrence Aisling, were more than sufficient.

Their calendar has a new entry: an All-Ireland semi-final against the Ulster champions on the opening weekend of January.

The Kilmurry players cut a most content bunch returning to the dressing-room at the break. Their sideline personnel were in a geed-up state that went far beyond content. Having played into a gale in the opening half, they really couldn’t have been in a better and stronger position.

The position they were in was a one-point advantage, 1-5 to 0-7. It might even have been more. The Cork champions kicked four first-half wides. They also had a point disallowed for possession fouled, a point attempt blocked, and at least two more short.

Their lines were sharp, their running relentless, their work-rate ravenous. This was a team perfectly equipped to negate the elements in front of them. There were a number of Firies defenders with their hands overflowing.

Liam Wall had the back-to-back beaten Munster finalists on the board inside the opening minute. Opposing marksman James Horgan - his first of four opening half white flags - had Firies on the board half a minute later.

Wall delivered the final’s sole goal on six minutes. Llyod Aisling provided the driving run. John O’Mullane did superbly well to hold onto Aisling’s pass. He, in turn, shuffled possession onto Wall who forced possession across the line.

The early green flag and early lead was a necessary buffer as Firies subsequently rose their tally and Kilmurry rose their count of wasted opportunities.

Five-in-a-row from Jake Flynn, Darragh Brosnan, and Horgan shoved the Kerry champions two in front on 21 minutes. They never threatened, though, to build a lead the gale demanded.

Lawrence Aisling and the incredibly lively Denis O’Mullane (free) returned Kilmurry level. Wall (free) and Rory Duggan returned them in front. There they stayed. The first Cork champions of the Munster Junior Club since Knocknagree in 2017.

Scorers for Kilmurry: L Wall (1-4, 0-3 frees); Lawrence Aisling (0-2); K Kelleher, R Duggan, D O’Mullane (free), John O’Mullane (0-1 each).

Scorers for Firies: J Horgan (0-5, 0-2 frees); D Brosnan (0-2); M Daly, J Flynn (0-1 each).

KILMURRY: J McDonnell; A O’Mahony, W Ronan, S O’Leary; B Hinchion, T Collins, A Asling; K Kelleher, James O’Mullane; L Wall, Lawrence Asling, R Duggan; Lloyd Asling, John O’Mullane, D O’Mullane.

SUBS: Joe O’Mullane for John O’Mullane (59).

FIRIES: B McCarthy; C Palmer, D Brosnan, B O’Leary; T Clifford, N Donohoe, D O’Mahony; J Flynn, P De Brúin; D Donohoe, J Horgan, D Brosnan; C Doe, M Daly, S Palmer.

SUBS: S Cooper for D Donohue (38); P Daly for Doe (45); L Brosnan for Daly (55).

Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).