'They came down thinking they have it over us': JBM hails Barrs' experience and depth

St Finbarr's selector Jimmy Barry-Murphy also paid tribute to his side's manager, Brian Roche

St Finbarr's selector Jimmy Barry Murphy celebrates his side’s victory with his daughters, Ann, left, Orla, and grand daughters Saoirse, left and Elizabeth. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Jimmy Barry Murphy said when it mattered most, experienced players stepped up for St Finbarr’s and squad members also performed to their best, in overcoming a two-point interval deficit. He was very happy with their second-half performance as they battled to an 11th Cork Premier SFC title.

They eventually were able to put a resilient Nemo Rangers to bed, and the Andy Scannell Cup is heading back to Togher for the first time since 2021.

“In the first half we weren’t good at all,” said the Barrs legend. “We didn’t play well. But I thought our second-half display was really good, our big players really came into the game. Brian Hayes, Ian Maguire and Steven Sherlock, and the substitutes that came in were outstanding.

“At half-time we discussed it, we thought we were in trouble. We felt we had to make a couple of substitutions to make a change to the game and get an impetus back. We got the first point after half time. The goal gave us a great lift then, in fairness to Brian Hayes he had an incredible second half.

“I thought our subs coming in made a huge difference - Enda Dennehy, Luke Hannigan outstanding in the middle of the field, and Cillian Myers Murray got a fantastic point to win it. You bring on subs, sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. You just hope they make a difference and today they did.

“Fair play to Cillian, he hasn’t been starting, he is a very talented player who we have great time for. He had to wait for his chance and by God did he take it today. He wants to be more than an impact sub.” 

Brian Roche is the St Finbarr’s manager and all season he has assumed a more quiet approach to media duties. JBM lauded his meticulous input behind the scenes and his preparation in finally getting them past their bogey team.

“I want to pay tribute to Brian Roche the manager of the team, he is a brilliant coach and has done a fantastic job. He’s been involved in our club all his life, played minor with us. So proud of Brian and the work he has put in. I’m a selector, I don’t play a huge role in the coaching. Brian and his backroom team - Martin Desmond, Ian Keeler and Tomás Manning - have done a sensational job and the work they’ve put in would benefit an intercounty team.

“With the players that are at our disposal, we feel we should have won another one, maybe, at least (since 2021). But counties are hard to win. You saw it here last night with the hurling game between Bride Rovers and Castlelyons, a draw. County finals are so hard to win and we know that better than anyone.

“And maybe we got a break there at the end with the ball coming back off the post twice. Great break for us, they are the breaks you get in county finals. Small things can decide big matches and that was it for us today. The ball fell our way.

“Great respect for Nemo, a great club. And as you know great champions in the past, a great team, always hard to beat them. But our lads won a fantastic game and thankfully today is our day.” Of the three county finals St Finbarr’s lost since 2010, they were all to the aristocrats of Cork GAA.

“You try to make out it doesn’t be on your mind that we lost to Nemo, but of course it does. They came down thinking they have it over us, at times. It is in your head a small bit. But we felt our win over Castlehaven in Clonakilty was a statement win and it was a fabulous performance and we felt if we could get anywhere near that we would have a chance of winning.

“There is a good age group coming through (as well as the experienced). There is great potential there. I said it already, I keep saying the same thing: counties are so hard to win. You’re meeting the likes of Castlehaven, Nemo and Clonakilty. You really have to have everything right. And the dual club situation is difficult. So from that point of view, it is extra special to win today.

“We showed great spirit. Nemo as well. But you are always focused on your own team. Our lads showed fantastic determination. Just to eke out that winning score took a lot of character.

“Great day for them all. Great day for the Barrs. Thrilled for all the boys in the backroom.”