Kilmoyley have had a number of disappointing days in championship hurling. Our six county championship wins this decade have buried many of those memories. But last Sunday will forever live with those from Kilmoyley who ventured to Pairc Ui Rinn to witness what can only be described as a heart breaking defeat to a fine Douglas side, which will in all probability win the Munster Intermediate club title. For this was as courageous and spirited a display as any Kilmoyley side had given in recent memory. And it still wasn't enough. From the very first whistle, Kilmoyley tested their more illustrious opponents to their limit as they blocked, tackled, hooked, hassled and harried everything that moved in a black and green jersey. Unfortunately, when the history books are written, the final deficit of eleven points will do Kilmoyley no justice, and the fact that Douglas required a late late injury time free to level the game will be long forgotten. For most people leaving the grounds that day, the main talking point was the performance of referee Jason O'Mahony and how it was his decisions throughout the game the cost Kilmoyley. But perhaps it would be better to remember this game for how bravely this Kilmoyley team fought throughout the game against the odds in an effort to make their own piece of history by becoming the first Kerry club team to win and Intermediate championship tie. Unfortunately the wait goes on for another season, but all Kerry hurling supporters should be heartened by the fact that the breakthrough is not so far away, because it is certain that had Kilmoyley played any of the other Munster Intermediate sides that day, that victory would have been theirs.KILMOYLEY 1-12 DOUGLAS 1-23, Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork 1st November 2009
KILMOYLEY 1-19 ST. BRENDANS 2-8, Austin Stack park 25th September 2009
Kilmoyley's Seniors re-wrote the history books on Sunday with this 1-19 to 2-8 victory over St. Brendans in the final of the 2009 AIB county championship. There was much hype and excitement in the build up to this fixture for a number of reasons :- it was the first time since 1962 that these teams had met in a county final; St. Brendans were appearing in their first final since 1990; Kilmoyley were attemting to become the first team in Kerry to win six titles in a decade; Kilmoyley were attempting to win their 22nd county championship title and move to the top of the all time list of winners. On top of all that, and probably the most important of all there was the bragging rights of being the best team in the parish. Kilmoyley went into the final in good form having had a number of good victories in recent challenge games, and were injury free thanks to the good work of their physios. Much of the talk in the buildup was whether Kilmoyley's ageing side could match the speed and energy of a young St. Brendans side, who were playing in their first county final. Many of their team had however won a number of U21 hurling titles and had won All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate football medals at Croke park, so they did have experience on their side. With half the parish painted blue and white and the other covered in green and gold, the scene was set for what many had hoped would be an exciting and entertaining county final.
Kilmoyley lined out with one change to the program with Padraig O'Sullivan replacing Sean Maunsell at right corner forward. Conditions for the game were perfect with a slight breeze blowing towards the Horan's end of the field. The pitch was in excellent condition and it was anticipated that this would suit St. Brendan's livelier players. Referee for the game was David Copps of Cork who was also in charge when the same sides met in the 2008 quarter final. The game got off to a lively start with four scores in the first five minutes. Padraig O'Sullivan justified his selection with a wonderful score from the sideline on twenty five seconds, while captain Micheal Regan added a second a minute later following a long delivery from Colin Harris. It was the ideal start for Kilmoyley, who would have been hoping to gain an early upper hand over their neighbours. But it didn't last long as St. Brendans registered their first score with a pointed free and then levelled matters with a good point from play a minute later. Both sides settled into the game at this stage, and despite hurling well in general Kilmoyley found themselves behind by the tenth minute when John Paul Leen pointed. Kilmoyley's inability to win primary posession around the midfield area was causing them trouble, although luckily for Kilmoyley, St. Brendan's forwards were finding it difficult to take their scores.
Shane Brick scored his first point of the game at the end of the first quarter when he latched onto a loose ball to level the game, and he added his second from a '65 soon after to move Kilmoyley into the lead following good work by Padraig O'Sullivan. However Kilmoyley conceded a free from centre field from the resulting puck out which was converted by John Egan, but Brick quickly restored his sides lead with a pointed free. Kilmoyley were now beginning to take control of the game and this was epitomised by James McCarthy's score on 17 minutes when he disposessed a defender and knocked over an excellent point for his side. Kilmoyley moved three points clear through a 20 metre free, but Egan responded with a super score from the right wing. The game continued to ebb and flow, as Shane Brick scored a super point from the resulting puck out. The hurling was being played at a ferocious pace and had supporters on the edge of their seats throughout. Another pointed free for Egan reduced the deficit but in the final few minutes of the half Kilmoyley surprisingly finished stronger. Micheal Regan scored his second point for Kilmoyley, but they left their best for last with a wonderful move. Sean Maunsell won the ball along the end line and found Billy Brick with a pinpoint pass. Brick sidestepped two defenders and found Shaun Young on the corner of the square, and last years county final man of the match doubled the ball to the roof of the St. Brendan's net to give his side a great lift heading into the break. It was a great goal worthy of any final in any county and left Kilmoyley with a 1-9 to 0-6 lead at half time.
Kilmoyley supporters were obviously pleased at this stage but possibly apprehensive knowing that their opponents had played their best hurling in the third quarter of their semi final win over Abbeydorney. They also knew that if St. Brendans were still within striking distance in the closing stages, it would be very difficult for Kilmoyley to hold out for victory. Despite playing with a slight breeze in the second half, the Kilmoyley players must have sensed this also and they quickly tried to snuff out their opponents' challenge. Maurice Murnane gathered the ball immediately from the throw in and landed an eighty metre bomb to stretch Kilmoyley's lead after five seconds. Credit to Brendan's who responded quickly with a good score from captain Darren Dineen. There was little to choose between the sides at this stage but Kilmoyley struck a number of wides, wasting some good scoring opportunities. Kilmoyley did begin finding their target as Shane Brick from a free and Micheal Regan and Sub Sean Maunsell from play pointed to extend Kilmoyley's lead. A Shane Griffin point briefly gave St. Brendans some hope of a recovery but four unanswered points by Kilmoyley sealed their 22nd title to give them a twelve point lead with five minutes remaining. At this stage, Kilmoyley introduced Niall Young, Brendan Harris and Padraig Regan to the fray. To their credit St. Brendans finished strongly and scored two goals through captain Darren Dineen, one from a 20 metre free. Kilmoyley closed their scoring with Shane Brick's ninth point while Sean Maunsell scored his second of the game to leave the Kilmoyley players, supporters and management overjoyed at the final whistle. This victory was thoroughly deserved for this wonderful side who proved that they deserve the crown of team of the decade.
Kilmoyley team: John B O'Halloran, Seanie Murnane, James Godley, Ian Brick, Colin Harris, Tom Murnane, Maurice Murnane, Eoin Sheehy, Paul McCarthy, Shane Brick, Micheal Regan, Billy Brick, Padraig O'Sullivan, James McCarthy, Shaun Young
subs:- David Fitzell for M Regan (blood), Niall Young, Padraig Regan, Brendan Harris.
Kilmoyley's minors did not find themselves in the ideal situation going into their county championship final clash against rivals Ballyduff. With Kilmoyley's seniors also in the final, most of the attention and focus would surround that game. Amazingly it was the same situation in the previous two years with the seniors leaving empty handed in 2007, and the minors themselves coming up short against Abbeydorney in 2008. Then there was the fact that Ballyduff had upset the odds in defeating Causeway in their semi-final clash, leaving Kilmoyley as favourites to win their 13th title. There is no doubt that since John Meyler came in to take over the team, there had been a new lease of life in these young players and Meyler's experience and character would certainly bring out the best in these boys. Kilmoyley had shown that they had a strong bone through the middle, but could the youger players row in with significant contributions?KILMOYLEY 1-12 BALLYDUFF 1-6, Austin Stack park 25th September 2009
As it is generally the way in minor finals, the early exchanges was not top quality, with players nerves' taking some time to settle. Ballyduff made the better start, getting to the ball first and while both sides swopped early frees Kilmoyley were under more pressure with their forwards wasting some good opportunities. Jason Bowler was on top at centre back for Ballyduff and his long delivery from the wing went all the way to the net deceiving Kilmoyley keeper Joe McElligott. By the quarter mark, they had stretched their lead to four points, but it was at this stage that Kilmoyley began turning the screw, so much so that they did not concede a score in the next 27 minutes. The move of the game for Kilmoyley was to send Luke Fitzell to centre forward to curtail the threat of Ballyduff's dominant player. Not only did young Fitzell more than do this but he also scored four points of his own from play. Kilmoyley's defence too began to dictate with Sean Dowling, Dougie Fitzell, Dara O'Sullivan and captain Tommy Mausell all excelling. O'Sullivan had the unenviable task of curtailing the threat of danger man Padraig Boyle which he did to great effect. (O'Sullivan would make his own bit of history a few weeks later by becoming the first Dingle man to play senior hurling with Kilmoyley.)At midfield too Ray Barrett and Vincent Savage got through an amount of work for Kilmoyley while Conor Fitzell used his strength to telling affect at half forward. By half time, Kilmoyley were level again and prospects of recapturing the Sean Lovett trophy were much brighter.
John Meyler's half time talk had the desired effect with Kilmoyley continuing their second quarter dominance. Conor Fitzell gave Kilmoyley the lead with a point after three minutes, a lead that they would hold until the final whistle. ADaniel Collins point and a free from Savage stretched Kilmoyley's lead to three points. A fine save by the Ballyduff keeper kept them in the game and they pointed a free after fifteen minutes to reduce the deficit. But credit Kilmoyley who replied immediately with a goal when Timothy o'Brien doubled on a free to give his side a six point lead with quarter of the game remaining. Ballyduff made a few switches as they tried in vain to gain a foothold on proceedings, but Kilmoyley's defence withstood the test, and they deserve great credit for conceding only 1-6 in sixty minutes. Dara O'Sullivan and Sean Dowling traded places and as hard as he tried, young Boyle got no leeway from his resolute marker. Ballyduff finished with two late points, but a Vincent Savage free and a fourth point from play by Kilmoyley's best forward Luke Fitzell sealed a well deserved victory for Kilmoyley.
There were jubilant scenes at the final whistle as the disappointment of losing last year's final was forgotten. Although that Ballyduff side had ten players young enough for next year's competition, Kilmoyley too have a number of talented young hurlers eligible for minor grade in 2010. Three finals in a row is a wonderful achievement, and like the seniors, two out of three isn't a bad return. The real test for these players is to see how many will make the breakthrough to the senior ranks in the next few years, and hold down regular positions on that team. It is no time for the club to be complacent despite our wonderful recent success. We must build for the future by blooding these players into the senior ranks from an earlier age, because it is only by playing at a higher level that these players will improve. Well done to the management team of Maurice Fitzgerald and John Meyler who have done a wonderful job with this bunch of players, as well as selector John Martin Brick. These are fantastic times for our club but we must work even hardder to maintain our position at the top.
Team: Joe McElligott, John Paul O'Mahony, Sean Dowling, Dougie Fitzell, Tommy Maunsell (captain), Dara O'Sullivan, Gene O'Connor, Ray Barrett, Vincent Savage (0-5), Luke Fitzell (0-4), Conor Fitzell (0-2), Edmund Griffin, Daniel Collins (0-1), Timothy O'Brien (1-0), Sean Nolan
Sean Godley for S. Nolan, Aidan Maunsell for E Griffin, P Griffin for C Fitzell
KILMOYLEY 4-16 CROTTA 3-3, Austin Stack park 4th September 2009
Kilmoyley are one step away from winnning a record breaking sixth title of the decade following this easy victory over a poor Crotta O'Neills side, who will be disappointed with their performance. While Kilmoyley will be pleased to qualify for the final, this game will have been of no benefit to the team who scored sixteen points for the second game in a row. However, the final against St. Brendans will be a completely different matter on September 27th, but is certainly a game that everyone in the parish will be looking forward to with eager anticipation.
This semi-final clash was a potential banana skin for Kilmoyley against a young, eager and enthusiastic Crotta side who easily overcame Ballyheigue in the previous round. But by the end of the first quarter, Kilmoyley had control of this game leading by 2-6 to 0-2 and on top throughout the field without ever firing on all cylinders. Kilmoyley started in whirlwind fashion and were first to every breaking ball and swarmed every loose break. Shane Brick opened the scoring with two pointed frees inside five minutes while captain Micheal Regan and Billy Brick added points of their own shortly after. Crotta got on the scoreboard through a fine point from young Shane Nolan, but Micheal Regan finished off a fine Kilmoyley move by cracking the ball to the net. A smart goal by full forward James McCarthy set Kilmoyley on their way on the quarter hour as Crotta only scored two points in the half. To make matters worse for Crotta, they conceded a penalty right at the break which was duly dispatched to the net by Shane Brick to leave them sixteen points in arrears at the break.
For Kilmoyley, it was important that they kept their concentration for the second half, and after ten minutes they added another 1-3 to their score to leave the result beyond doubt as they raced into a 22 point lead. Following a number of Kilmoyley substitutions, Crotta to their credit did get back into the game and were rewarded with a goal as the game moved into the final quarter. Sean Maunsell and Maurice Murnane added fine points for the winners but Crotta added two goals in the next few minutes through two 21 metre frees to add respectability to the score. Kilmoyley closed the game out with two more points and move into the county final still not knowing at what level the team is playing yet.
JOHN BRENDAN O'HALLORAN, SEANIE MURNANE, JAMES GODLEY, IAN BRICK, COLIN HARRIS, TOM MURNANE, MAURICE MURNANE (0-1), EOIN SHEEHY (0-1), PAUL MCCARTHY, BILLY BRICK (0-2), MICHEAL REGAN (1-2), SHANE BRICK (1-6, 1-4f), SHAUN YOUNG (1-0), JAMES MCCARTHY (1-1), PADRAIG O'SULLIVAN (0-1)
SUBS:PADRAIG REGAN, SEAN MAUNSELL (0-2), SEAN GRIFFIN, NIALL YOUNG
Referee - D. Copps (Cork)
KILMOYLEY 0-16 BALLYDUFF 1-10, Austin Stack park 16th August 2009
A brilliant second half display of point shooting by Shane Brick helped to earn Kilmoyley a semi-final spot in this year's AIB County Senior hurling championship following their 0-16 to 1-10 win over Ballyduff at Austin Stack park, Tralee. This was an eagerly awaited meeting between the clubs tied at the top of the leaderboad of county championship wins of 21 each. Kilmoyley started with thirteen of same team that started last season's county final, with Sean Maunsell starting at corner forward, while Paul McCarthy came in at centre field. For long periods during the game it looked as if it was going to be Ballyduff that would be the team with the chance of increasing that total, as they outbattled Kilmoyley throughout the field, especially in the first half. Kilmoyley's defence struggled early on as the Ballyduff forwards looked dangerous on each attack. A pointed Ballyduff free was the opening score, but Kilmoyley quickly equalised through Shane Brick, his first of eleven. A well worked Ballyduff attack opened the Kilmoyley defence in the seventh minute from which they scored a goal, giving JB O'Halloran no chance in goal. Kilmoyley replied immediately however through another Brick point and levelled the game soon after as Brick pointed a free while Billy added another. But rather than push on, Kilmoyley stuttered again as the Ballyduff defence got on top for the remainder of the half and added four unanswered points to leave the champions in trouble at the break.
Playing with a slight breeze for the second half it was important that Kilmoyley showed a bit more vigour in their play to put themselves in a winning position. And this is what they did, especially the defence as they conceded only four points in this period. So too did midfield where Eoin Sheehy imposed himself and dominated posession, while James McCarthy's move outfield also helped Kilmoyley gain valuable posession offering Shane Brick a number of scoring chances.
Kilmoyley opened the scoring with a Shane Brick point, but Ballyduff equalised shortly after. With the extra posession Kilmoyley's pressure began to tell as further points from Eoin Sheehy and Paul McCarthy narrowed the gap. Ballyduff's final score of the third quarter came courtesy of another free to edge them further ahead. But Kilmoyley pressed again as Ballyduff's challenge began to crumble. A massive point by Shane Brick off his weaker side near the sideline gave his side a huge boost, and he added further points to edge Kilmoyley into the lead in the final minutes.
A second point from Sheehy and a final long range free from Brick left Kilmoyley four in front with time almost up. One final Ballyduff attack yielded a point from Liam Boyle who was Ballyduff's best player on the night, but it was Kilmoyley who took the honours with this gritty and courageous display, and while it will not go down as one of Kilmoyley's better displays, there have been few times in the past where Kilmoyley have overturned a late Ballyduff lead in the championship. This will have been most pleasing for the Kilmoyley supporters, but they know that a sixty minute repeat of this second half display will be required to overcome a young and energetic Crotta O'Neills side in the semi-final on Friday September 4th. While Shane Brick had a brilliant return of eleven points in this game, more will be required from his fellow forwards particularly the full forward line that only yielded one point.
JOHN BRENDAN O'HALLORAN, SEANIE MURNANE, JAMES GODLEY, IAN BRICK, COLIN HARRIS, TOM MURNANE, MAURICE MURNANE, EOIN SHEEHY (0-2), PAUL MCCARTHY (0-1), BILLY BRICK (0-1), MICHEAL REGAN, SHANE BRICK (0-11, 0-5f), SEAN MAUNSELL (0-1), JAMES MCCARTHY, SHAUN YOUNG
SUBS:PADRAIG O'SULLIVAN, PADRAIG REGAN
Referee - Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)
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