Kilmoyley 2-14 Bride Rovers 2-11

The Kilmoyley seniors produced one of their best displays in years in defeating Bride Rovers of Cork in the semi-final of the 2006 Munster senior league at Lerrig on Sunday by 2-14 to 2-11. While Shane Brick was the main scorer for the winners, this was a real team performance as all fifteen players plus the four subs that were introduced giving their all and contributing to the victory. It was great too to see Colin Harris returning to action following a legthy lay off due to injury. The only down side to the game was the dismissal of James McCarthy who was harshly sent off alongwith a Bride Rovers player in the final quarter.

The game was played in perfect weather conditions even if the pitch was still quite soft, although it had improved dramatically from the Kerry/Clare game a fortnight earlier. Kilmoyley started with four U21s and despite missing a few regulars there was still a familiar look about the team. As you would expect from a team that had only one training session under its belt, Kilmoyley started very sluggishly and found it difficult to gain and maintain posession. Indeed the first score of the game came as a result of Kilmoyley losing posession in their own half and Bride Rovers taking advantage with a point. Rovers were to stretch their lead to three points as Kilmoyley were guilty of indiscipline. But luckily the Rovers' free takers only converted about half their opportunities.
Kilmoyley seemed to take some heart from this, for despite playing so poorly they were still only 1 score behind after ten minutes. The midfield pairing of Paul McCarthy and Noel Whelan started to win more ball around midfield and began to feed posession to the Kilmoyley forwards, who in turn responded with some excellent play, not only in converting scores but also in their defensive duties. Indeed, such was their proficiency in front of goal Kilmoyley only had one wide ball in the first half. Shane Brick settled things down with Kilmoyley's opening point from a long range free and added a second from play inside a minute. Unbelievably Kilmoyley drew level with their third score in as many minutes with an effort from Tom Murnane. A few minutes later Padraig O'Sullivan added another to edge Kilmoyley ahead for the first time, before Shane Brick converted a trade mark '21 metre free a few minutes later. The band of Kilmoyley supporters almost lifted the roof of the stand in excitement as they saw their side turn a three point deficit into a four point lead in the space of ten minutes. At this stage, Kilmoyley were well on top in most sectors of the field as the visitors struggled to cope with their tenacious play. With their full back line keeping them afloat, Bride Rovers made a number of positional switches and as was to be expected they drew closer with three more points, two more from frees as the Kilmoyley players seemed to run out of puff as the first half drew to a close. But Kilmoyley did get a second wind to regain their lead four points thanks to Shane Brick frees. Kilmoyley were much the happier side at half time as they led by 1-7 to 0-6 even if they had played with a very slight breeze.

It was always going to be difficult for Kilmoyley to maintain their lead, and Bride Rovers started the second half as they had the first with a quick point. This time round however, Shane Brick pointed a close-in free to maintain the advantage. The Kilmoyley defence had played solidly right through the game, with youngsters James Godley and Ed Fitzgerald more than holding their own way. Up front however, Kilmoyley's fullforward line were struggling and the Bride Rovers continued to turn defence into attack with their clearances. This pressure began to tell on Kilmoyley's defence as the Cork forwards notched a few points from play to reduce the gap. They then scored a goal despite a good save from 'keeper JB O'Halloran. As the game entered the final quarter a scuffle developed from a Rovers free which saw the referee issue two red cards, one to Kilmoyley centre back James McCarthy and the other to a Rovers corner forward. Eoin Sheehy, who had just been introduced for Pat Flaherty at wing forward, reverted back into the number six position to fill the vacancy. Despite the ball having gone wide the referee threw in the ball on the '21 from which Rovers pointed. It did not look good for Kilmoyley at this stage, especially when Rovers regained the lead a few minutes later.

But Kilmoyley (for whom Joe Walsh was in charge on the day) introduced a decisive sub in Andy McCarthy who helped swing the game back in Kilmoyley's favour. He began to win posession inside the Bride Rovers half and won a handful of frees which gave Shane Brick the opportunity to regain the lead once again, one from a '21 from which he sensibly "tapped" over the bar. Pat Deenihan and Colin Harris were also introduced for the final seven minutes and they too helped Kilmoyley's cause. The decisive moment came next when Shane Brick scored a great goal from play after good link up play with the younger McCarthy brother and stretch the lead to four points. Eoin Sheehy won the next puckout, and driving forward, scored a great point from halfway. It certainly looked good at this stage. But Rovers were awarded a '21 with two minutes to go from which they goaled to leave the supporters a little anxious with time running out. But with the second last puck of the game, Shane Brick slotted over another point from a free. The final whistle blew on the puckout and a delighted Kilmoyley crowd looked forward to another munster League final.

It was as stated earlier a real team performance, but special mention has to go to the younger Kilmoyley players who contributed greatly to the win, along with Shane Brick who got Kilmoyley's scores when they were most required..

Wednesday 2nd August 2006 Munster Hurling League 2nd round Askeaton

Kilmoyley 1-11 Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 0-9

This was Kilmoyley's third competitive game in a week, and there were certainly signs at stages of the game that players were feeling the effects of their efforts. But in winning their second game of the competition, Kilmoyley qualified from the group to progress to the semi-final stages. A number of the younger players started the game to help give some players a rest, and while they were winning posession, the forwards found it difficult to convert their chances to scores. The field in Askeaton too was very rough and did not help for a flowing game of hurling. There was little between the teams at half time, and some of the more "established" players were introduced at half time to strengthen Kilmoyley's cause. But it took a while for the team to settle again as Na Piarsaigh came back into the game. Kilmoyley struggled in particular at midfield where they struggled to cope with the Limerick side's power and pace. Tom Murnane started to hurl at wing forward and scored a couple of good long points from play. But Kilmoyley could not build on their lead, as even top scorer Shane Brick struggled. The Kilmoyley defence survived a few scares, but did not concede the decisive goal that would have turned the game. It did come at the other end however, as Joe Murnane latched onto a loose ball in the square to hit the back of the net, and to seal the win.