Kilmurry: 1-10

Firies: 0-9

Third time’s the charm for majestic Kilmurry after overcoming Firies of Kerry in the AIB Munster Club JFC final at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale on Saturday evening.

After losing the last two provincial deciders, the Muskerry side were determined not to be bridesmaids again and they fully deserved this victory in difficult weather conditions. There was no luck about this one. A historic night for the proud Muskerry outfit. They are now the first Cork club since Knocknagree in 2017 to claim Munster success at this grade.

Kilmurry finished the game with 13 players but they had the encounter wrapped up before the final whistle blew. The celebrations afterwards said it all. A brilliant day for Cork football. Cormac Linehan’s outfit had a great start and they built on it with heroes all over the pitch. It was an outstanding performance.

Denis O’Mullane and Seán O’Leary made their debuts for the Mid-Cork outfit and the pair certainly impressed. It was a gritty team performance as Kilmurry ticked a lot of boxes to claim a first ever Munster title.

On what was a very cold and blustery evening in Limerick, Kilmurry, playing against the wind, hit the first score through a Liam Wall free after 46 seconds which was cancelled out by a point from James Horgan.

Kilmurry were much more aggressive in this showdown and following patient build-up play, they goaled after five minutes. Lloyd Asling started off the move resulting in John O’Mullane setting up Liam Wall for an easy finish from close range.

Firies response was excellent with three unanswered points to draw level after the first quarter, 0-4 to 1-1 with Horgan causing problems for the Kilmurry defence with two of those points, one coming from a free. Darragh Brosnan with the other effort.

Kilmurry were struggling to win their kickouts as the men from Kerry were in control at this juncture as they added two more points to lead by two, 0-6 to 1-1 after 21 minutes. The pendulum swung again with Kilmurry putting together two white flags on the trot courtesy of Lawrence Asling and youngster Denis O’Mullane from a close-in free.

Kilmurry hit two of the last three points of the half to lead by a point at half-time, 1-5 to 0-7. Rory Duggan’s inspirational score following a driving run the pick of the scores.

The team in green and gold were aided by a very strong wind for the second half and made a promising start. The score of the game arrived after 32 minutes when John O’Mullane, with the outside of his boot, bisected the posts which brought the large Kilmurry support to their feet.

Kilmurry’s tails were up and points from Wall (free) and Kyle Kelleher pushed them 1-8 to 0-7 clear and playing all the football. The sides traded points before Lawrence Asling gave Kilmurry a five-point buffer with 13 minutes remaining.

Firies then were down to 14 players for 10 minutes when Pádraig de Brún picked up a black card after 49 minutes. Kilmurry were also reduced to 14 two minutes later when James O’Mullane received a second yellow card.

Kilmurry defended valiantly in the closing stages keeping their opponents at bay with captain William Ronan leading by example. A Horgan free did reduce the Firies deficit down to four points with two minutes remaining.

Kilmurry were down to 13 players for the dying embers after Kyle Kelleher was shown a red card. It didn’t matter. A mighty day for Kilmurry and Cork football.

Kilmurry celebrate winning the Munster Club JFC final in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

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

Firies: J Horgan 0-5 (0-2 f), D Brosnan 0-2, M Daly, J Flynn 0-1 each.

KILMURRY: J McDonnell; B Hinchion, W Ronan (c), A O’Mahony; S O’Leary, T Collins, A Asling; K Kelleher, James O’Mullane; Lloyd Asling, Lawrence Asling, R Duggan; L Wall, 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; N Donohue, P de Brún, D O’Mahony; D Brosnan, T Clifford; C Doe, J Horgan, D Donohue; S Palmer, M Daly (c), J Flynn.

Subs: S Cooper for D Donohue (38), P Daly for C Doe (45), L Brosnan for M Daly (55).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).