Friday 4th April 2008 Credit Union Co. League Rd. 1 at Ardfert

Kilmoyley 1-8 St. Brendans 0-11

Kilmoyley started with only five of the players that started last year's county final, and with training yet to start supporters travelled more in hope than expectation. But the decision of former double All-Ireland winning Clare captain to stay with Kilmoyley for 2008 was a huge boost, and for many of the younger players it was a chance to impress the manager. Despite the recent fine weather, the Ardfert pitch was very rough following last weeks poor weather and as a result a free flowing game was not expected. But, in fairness to both teams and referee Finbar Canty of Causeway, there were not too many stoppages throughout the game and was virtually incident free.
As expected the home side started the livelier and Kilmoyley found it difficult to live with the pace of their opponents many of whose players had already played two rounds of the county football league. St. Brendans converted a number of their early chances to take an early lead and with Brendan Flaherty playing well in their defence, Kilmoyley found it difficult to score from play. Kilmoyley and Kerry centreback James Godley scored his first point of the game with a long range free, as Kilmoyley settled and started to make better use of their posession. Billy Brick missed a great chance of a goal for Kilmoyley after twenty minutes, but won a '65 wich was converted by Godley. St. Brendans converted a couple of frees at the other end before halftime to leave Kilmoyley trailing 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.
Both sides were unchanged for the second period, and the questions now being asked were could Kilmoyley now take advantage of the breeze or would their opponents' superior fitness prove decisive. The exchanges were physical but fair throughout, and scoring chances were difficult to come by as is normal for this time of the season. If a side was to score a goal you would think that it would prove to be decisive in a low scoring game, and that's how it turned out. Kilmoyley's defence did not concede easy frees in this half but St. Brendans ability to point from distance helped them pull further ahead, as Kilmoyley's forwards found it difficult to make the necessary space to score. But a combination of long distance Kilmoyley puckouts and a reshuffle of the forwards, proved benefitial to Kilmoyley. Sean Young scored two great points from out near the sideline, while Adrian Royle won more ball in front of the Ardfert goal. He passed to sub Jason Fealy in front of goal whose shot was saved but Billy Brick pulled on the breaking ball to finish the ball to the net and level the game with five minutes remaining. It was hell for leather in the closing stages as both sides pushed for the win. As the physical effort began to tell, both defences conceded unnecessary frees which were scored to leave the final score 1-8 to 0-11.
Kilmoyley will be pleased with their effort, especially with so many younger players in action. Even the two 35 year olds in the full back line coped well with their younger counterparts. Up front, Sean Young and Adrian Royle did their bit when it counted and captain James Godley was solid throughout.