'We have been knocking on the door': Fitzgerald savours Inagh-Kilnamona's Clare breakthrough

A thunderous late burst carried them clear of Kilmaley and put a new name on the Canon Hamilton Cup. Kilnamona won the Clare senior hurling championship in 1908, but this was their first title under the combined banner. What a way to do it.

In what was too often a slow and turgid decider, their big players came to the fore as the clock ticked down. David Fitzgerald finished with five points, three of them in the final eight minutes. Aidan McCarthy, who ended on 1-5, bombed over an outrageous effort from distance, while U20 star Fred Hegarty took man of the match, also with 1-5. His late goal was the final flourish.

“Even when we got a bit of breathing room, you were still conscious there was only a puck of the ball in it. By and large it was probably a poor game, really scrappy, but we don’t mind. We got across the line,” said David Fitzgerald post-match. He is one of several players who were involved in 2021 when they lost the final by a point to Ballyea.

“It is really hard to put into words. I suppose we have been knocking on the door for a number of years now. To finally get over the line is surreal really.” 

On the wish list for a county final, the makeup of this decider came close to a full house. Cars were strung out as far as the Tulla Road, lending a distinct Munster championship feel. The town itself is perfect for these occasions. A crowd of 9,452 came through the gate.

It was a first-ever senior hurling decider between these neighbouring clubs, with all the noise and colour that such a derby guarantees. The high jinks of decking out Crowe’s Bridge in both clubs’ colours proved a welcome outlet for any nervous energy in the two-week build-up. There were inter-county stars on both sides. Hunger, quality and a generous host: what more could you want?

All of it seemed to impact Inagh-Kilnamona early on. They missed five of their opening six shots. They would have been content to go in only a point down at the turnaround on a 1-8 to 1-7 scoreline.

For Kilmaley, much of their approach centred around long ball to Conor Cleary. He broke several balls to Sean O’Loughlin, including one for their only goal. It forced centre-back James Hegarty to sit deeper but once he did, Inagh got to grips with the tie.

McCarthy’s goal was the result of a long Eamonn Foudy free that dropped short. He expertly caught it and swung a leg. That kick flew into the net.

The runners-up will rue several missed goal chances in the second half. Foudy’s saves to twice deny Colm Killeen were terrific. James Hegarty scrambled back for another goal-line clearance.

They managed just six points in the second half, four from play. Killeen battled hard off the bench, but they needed to make the most of every chance.

For Fitzgerald, it is a sweet payoff after a taxing few weeks. He works for Stratos, the commercial aircraft investment specialists. It means regular flights over and back to America for work.

“I’ve been coming and going for the last eight weeks-ish. Week on, week off. It has been tough,” he said afterwards.

“We’ll head back to Inagh later. I am meant to be flying back to the States on Wednesday, so we’ll figure that out.” He will make that trip with a hard-earned medal for company.

Scorers for Inagh-Kilnamona: A. McCarthy 1-5 (3 frees); F. Hegarty 1-5; D. Fitzgerald 0-5; D. Mescal, S. Rynne, N. Mullins 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilmaley: S. O’Loughlin 1-3 (1 free); M. O’Neill, M. O’Malley (2f), C. Killeen 0-2 each; T. O’Rourke, B. McNamara, C. Cleary (s/l), D. Keane, T. Barry 0-1 each.

INAGH-KILNAMONA: E. Foudy; K. White, S. Woods, C. Rynne; K. Hehir, J. Hegarty, D. Cullinan; M. Callinan, S. Rynne; D. Fitzgerald, K. Guyler, F. Hegarty; D. Mescall, A. McCarthy, J. Guyler.

SUBS: G. Barry for J. Guyler (39); N. Mullins for Mescal (43); J. McCarthy for Cullinan (54); J. Mescall for M. Callinan (56); B. Foudy for White (60).

KILMALEY: B. O’Loughlin; J. Casey, C. McGuane, C. Carmody; A. McGuane, M. O’Malley, D. Keane; T. Barry, S. Kennedy; C. Moloney, M. O’Neill, B. McNamara; T. O’Rourke, C. Cleary, S. O’Loughlin.

SUBS: E. Cahill for Kennedy, C. Killeen for O’Rourke (both 43); E. Enright for O’Neill (54); J. Fitzpatrick for Moloney (58).

Referee: N. Malone (Éire Óg).