Draw for Munster league 2004 26/4/2004: On Friday night 30th April, Kilmoyley hosted the launch of the 2004 Munster Senior league at Ballyroe Heights hotel.. This competition commenced in 2002, with little interest from the "big" clubs of Munster due to the restrictions 9 clubs that had won their County title in the previous five years were not eligible to enter). But two years on, thanks to Kilmoyley's participation and success, Munster's finest have now joined the programme. For in 2004 we will see famous clubs, and previous munster champions competing such as St. Finbarr's (Cork), St. Joseph's Doora Barefield (Clare), Mount Sion (Waterford), Sarsfields (Cork), Sarsfields (Tipperary), Cloyne (Cork), Ballygunner (Waterford) and Middleton (Cork). The full draw is as follows :-

Division 1

The very best of luck to all clubs, but it's going to take one mighty effort to take the trophy out of Kilmoyley!

Saturday 30th January 2005 Knocknagree, Cork

Kilmoyley 2-8 Na Piarsaigh 1-12

Kilmoyley suurendered its Munster League crown against Cork champions Na Piarsaigh in a highly exciting and entertaining semi-final played before a large and enthusiastic crowd at Knocknagree last Saturday. Despite the poor weather in January, the pitch was in great condition and it made for a free flowing game with plenty of skill on show. Kilmoyley approached the game more in hope than confidence because of a lack of training so early in the year, and because of a couple of absentees. Kilmoyley started with a very different looking backline with Brendan Harris taking over between the posts, and Sean Fitzgerald, Ian Brick and Padraig O'Sullivan filling the full back line.

Kilmoyley elected to play with a slight breeze in the first half and were leading after two minutes with a '65 from Shane Brick, who was again to be Kimoyley's main scorer on the day. He added a second a minute later from play to extend Kimoyley's lead. Kilmoyley's midfield of Darren Young and Eoin Sheehy hurled well in the early stages to supply their forwards with plenty of ball, but the Na Piarsaigh defence were up for the task and held firm. John Gardiner, who was playing in the unusual position of full forward scored his only point from play from a narrow angle to open the Cork sides account after six minutes. But Kilmoyley continued to hurl with the confidence they have gained from winning four championships on the trot to extend their lead with another free by Shane Brick and added a goal through Richard Gentleman to rac into a five point lead with quarter of the match gone.

Na Piarsaigh were obviously not going to be beaten easily and replied with a pointed free from John Gardiner within a minute and a few minutes later Gardiner forced a great save from Brendan Harris in goals but the rebound fell to an oncoming midfielder who sent an unstoppable shot to the net, to reduce Kilmoyley's lead to the minimum. But Kilmoyley too showed that they would not go down without a fight as from the next puckout Shane Brick forced 'keeper Mark O'Sullivan to make a great save. The rebound fell to Ollie Diggin but he fluffed his shot which was smothered by the keeper. A free was awarded and in typical fashion Shane brick blasted an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net with five minutes of the half remaining. Two more pointed frees, one for each side closed the scoring for the half to leave kilmoyley leading by four points.

Na Piarsaigh applied the pressure from the start of the half but Kilmoyley's defence held firm. In reply Kilmoyley pushed forward and were rewarded with another pointed free after seven mintes. But this was to be Kilmoyley's last score bar one for the remainder of the game as Na Piarsaigh grew in strength. Kilmoyley's cause was not helped by some poor refereeing decisions that went against them, or that were not awarded to them. Kilmoyley's forwards saw little of the ball at this stage, and even when it did reach them, the Cork side's defence smothered every threat. Brendan Harris made a great save to deflect a John Gardiner 20 metre free over the bar for a point. He was called into action a few minutes later to make a double save and the danger was cleared. But Na Piarsaigh came again and reduced the gap to a goal with another point from play. Tom Murnane missed a golden opportunity for a Kilmoyley goal, but could also have been awarded a penalty for the defensive tackle. David Gardiner, pointed for Na Piarsaigh while his brother John added another to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum with ten minutes remaining.

Na Piarsaigh were awarded a harsh penalty and recalled memories of the 2003 final at Fitzgerald Stadium. Once again the Kilmoyley defence came good, with Ian Brick saving (painfully) and James McCarthy clearing the danger. At the other end, a good Kilmoyley buildup ended was Shane Brick was, seemingly, unfairly challenged but again the danger was cleared. A Shane Brick free was tapped over the bar while Eoin Sheehy had a couple of efforts for points waved wide. The Na Piarsaigh midfield was winning lots of possession at this stage as Kilmoyley's challenge faded and even the introduction of Christy Walsh could not swing the momentum in Kilmoyley's favour. The pressure began to tell on the Kilmoyley defence with two frees conceded as time ran out. Brendan Harris again came to Kilmoyley's rescue with a fine save. But just as the game seemed to be heading for a draw up popped midfielder McGregor for Na Piarsaigh and gave his side the lead for the first time in the game in the third minute of added time. It was too late for Kilmoyley to answer and the full-time whistle was blown. It was cruel luck for Kilmoyley having led throughout the game, but in the end Na Piarsaigh had a greater spread of scorers while Shane Brick got little help up fron for Kilmoyley when it came to scoring. But considering how early in the year the game was played, it was very encouraging to see Kilmoyley perform so well against one of the best teams in Munster (even if there were no Ó hAilpíns playing). So despite the loss of their Munster crown, their is plenty to be optimistic about for the year ahead. Brendan Harris was Man of the Match making excellent saves and getting good distance in his puckouts. Sean Fitzgerald did well in his first game at corner back while Ian Brick limited John Gardiner to one point from play. The midfield pairing of Darren Young and Eoin Sheehy broke evn until the final ten minutes when fitness probably told. Once again up front, Shane Brick was Kilmoyley's dangerman but the other forwards worked tirelessly even if the scores didn't come.

Saturday 23rd October 2004 Midleton, Cork

Kilmoyley 2-15 Midleton 1-11

Kilmoyley made its third long trip of the competition, this time to Midleton to take on the locals in the quarter final. Midleton had earlier easily defeated Kerry's Ballyduff in the competition at Fitzgerald's Stadium Killarney. Despite all the recent rain, the pitch was in good condition and a slight wind blew across the field. Former Cork greats John Fenton and Kevin Hennessy welcomed the team and former Cork hurler Ger Manley lined out at full-forward. Kilmoyley started impressively and had most of the early possession which they converted to three points. Midleton's puckouts were landing inside Kilmoyley's '45, putting pressure on the defence. But Colin Harris and Pat Deenihan did well despite the pressure. It was also obvious from early on that many of the refereeing decisions were going against Kilmoyley, and the fact that he awarded Midleton two penalties and three 20 metre frees (in front of goal) tells its own story. However all these only yielded three points.

The Midleton defence tightened considerably in the second quarter and Kilmoyley's forwards found it difficult to score. Pat Flaherty was taken off with an ankle injury after twenty minutes to be replaced by Tom Murnane. At this stage Kilmoyley was becoming more frustrated with some of the decisions, and Midleton scored all but two of their points from placed balls. Just when it looked like Kilmoyley was to lose its grip on the game, up popped Christy Walsh to smack home the opening goal and to leave the visitors ahead by six points at half time. Apart from Christy, Shane Brick was Kilmoyley's main scorer.

Almost directly from the throw in, Kilmoyley had a perfectly legitimate Richard Gentleman point disallowed (even the Midleton 'keeper signalled a point), to frustrate us even more while minutes later another Kilmoyley point was not awarded either. The game seemed to be turning for Midleton in the tenth minute when a long range free found the top corner of the Kilmoyley net, to leave the minimum between the teams. But as ever, Kilmoyley upped its game, and with Eoin Sheehy at midfield and Pat Deenihan excelling there was plenty of ball going into the forwards and they duly responded. With Midleton's defence tiring they won anumber of frees which were scored by Shane Brick. With ten minutes to go Kilmoyley's fortunes changed somewhat when Richard Gentleman was red carded. But Kilmoyley were not to be outdone, for a minute later Sean Maunsell latched onto a 'keeper handling error from a long ball to bang home Kilmoyley's second goal. Midleton in the meantime were awarded a second penalty which was saved by Joe Walsh and cleared to safety by James McCarthy. Sub Padraig scored the final point for Kilmoyley. There was great relief and satisfaction for the Kilmoyley players, officials and supporters (about twenty or so travelled) at the final whistle, and the disappointment of the Toomevara game was forgotten. It was far from vintage Kilmoyley, but the result was more important.

All players and supporters were treated to a fine meal after the game by the Midleton club and the hospitality was very much appreciated.

Saturday 28th August 2004 St. Finbarr's, Cork

Kilmoyley 3-10 St. Finbarr's 5-15

Kilmoyley made the long trip to Cork city on Saturday evening to take on the locals in the second game of the Munster League. The conditions were good for hurling although a strong breeze blew directly into the Kilmoyley goals in the first half. The Jimmy Barry Murphy trained St. Finbarr's had former Lixnaw hurler Aidan Cronin starting at wingforward but were missing county centreback Ronan Curran. Kilmoyley were at full strength for the game.

St. Finbarr's pounced on an early defensive error to score a goal. Two minutes later the ball was in the back of the Kilmoyley net again after good work from the corner forward. Kilmoyley were struggling all over the field at this stage and only Micheal Regan was making any inroads against his marker. Shane Brick pointed two frees for Kilmoyley but the 'Barr's added three more points from play to stretch their advantage. Wing back Colin Harris was taken off after receiving an injury and is now doubtful for next weekend clash with St. Brendans. Following a good buildup Sean Maunseel finished smartly to the net to bring Kilmoyley back into the game. but two minutes later the game was turned on its head as a Tom Murnane shot canonned off the crossbar and the resulting clearance was finished to the back of the Kilmoyley net - a swing of six points. Although Kilmoyley's hurling improved at this stage, St. Finbarr's were on a roll and they added another goal just on halftime to leave the game 4-9 to 1-5 and the game was as good as over.

The start of the second half didn't see any change as St. Finbarr's added another point from a free. It took Kilmoyley five minutes to open its account with a point from a Shane Brick free but St. Finbarr's looked comfortable throughout, especially in the half back line, even without the influential Curran. Both sides made a number of changes with twenty minutes remaining and these changes helped Kilmoyley to edge closer with a couple of points from Maurice Murnane and a goal from Christy Walsh. But St. Finbarr's replied with another goal of their own to give them a comfortable margin with time almost up. Richard Gentleman scored a late consolation goal for Kilmoyley but it was too late and St. Finbarr's ran out easy winners.

So, it is probably the end of Kilmoyley's interest in the competition. A number of the other group teams pulled out and this reduces our chances of qualifying.

Friday 18th June 2004 Ballyhooly, Co. Cork

Kilmoyley 0-18 Lismore 1-15

Kilmoyley made the long trip to Ballyhooly Co. Cork (near Fermoy) to take on Lismore of Waterford in the first round of this years Munster League. Despite a poor weather forecast, it turned out to be a beautiful evening for hurling played on a very wide pitch that was in excellent condition. Kilmoyley played with a slight breeze in the first half and started brightly with Darren Young and Ollie Diggin scoring some wonderful long range points. But Lismore also enjoyed plenty of possession early on and the sides were level four points apiece after ten minutes. Dan Shanahan's brother at wing forward was casing problems for Kilmoyley's defence but they failed to convert many of those chances, thanks mainly to some good defensive work. Richard Gentleman also played well at midfield and Sean Fitzgerald and Colin Harris popped up with a point each from their wing back positions. John Maunsell also made some notable clearances from goal, some of which ended in Kilmoyley scores and at half time Kilmoyley went in to lead by 11 points to seven.

As is sometimes the case with Kilmoyley, we had a poor srart to the second half, even if we were the first to score. Lismore rattled in 1-3 without reply to leave Kilmoyley one point in arrears after five minutes facing the breeze. Shane Brick came on as a substitute after ten minutes, and while he didn't get any clean possession he still made a valuable contribution, despite his injury. Kilmoyley made a few more substitutes as the half went on and all made a contribution. With five minutes to go John Maunsell made an excellent save and was sunsequently fouled in the follow up. Shane Brick had a close in free, after he was fouled himself, and pointed to level the game. Lismore had one final chance from a long range free at the end but the effort was well wide. so in the end a draw was a fair result and continued Kilmoyley's unbeaten run in the competition since the 2002 Munster League final against Sarsfields.

2003 Munster League

Kilmoyley Team

Brendan Harris, Sean Fitzgerald, Ian Brick, Padraig O'Sullivan, Pat Deenihan, James McCarthy, Colin Harris, Darren Young, Eoin Sheehy, Ollie Diggin, Shane Brick (-8, 1-5f, 0-1 65), Tom Murnane, Richard Gentleman (1-0), Patrick Flaherty, Sean Maunsell.

subs: Christy Walsh, Micheal Regan

Kilmoyley Team

Joe Walsh, Brendan Harris, Padraig Regan, Ian Brick, Pat Deenihan, James McCarthy, Colin Harris, Eoin Sheehy, Darren Young, Micheal Regan, Shane Brick, Pat Flaherty, Richard Gentleman, Christy Walsh, Sean Maunsell.

subs: Tom Murnane (for Pat Flaherty) , Maurice Murnane (for Micheal Regan) Padraig O'Sullivan (for Sean Maunsell).

Kilmoyley Team

Joe Walsh, Brendan Harris, Padraig Regan, Ian Brick, Sean Fitzgerald, James McCarthy, Colin Harris, Joe Murnane, Maurice Murnane, Richard Gentleman, Shane Brick, Micheal Regan, Sean Maunsell, Darren Young, Tom Murnane.

subs: Sean Griffin, Padraig O'Sullivan, Eoin Sheehy, Ollie Diggin, Christy Walsh.

Kilmoyley Team

John Maunsell, Sean Griffin, Padraig Regan, Ian Brick, Sean Fitzgerald, Eoin Sheehy, Colin Harris, Richard Gentleman, Joe Murnane, Thomas Flaherty, Ollie Diggin, Maurice Murnane, Sean Maunsell, Christy Walsh, Darren Young.

subs: Shane Brick, Tom Murnane, Brendan Harris, James McCarthy