St James’s come out top in thrilling final

Killeedy (Limerick) 2-12 St James’s Ardfield (Cork) 0-20

Killeedy started brightly with a goal inside 60 seconds from Diarmuid O’Connor and quickly raced five points clear (1-3 to 0-1) with Don Flynn and Patrick Dore landing points. But the Cork side, with Damien Dooley and Alan Tobin in devastating form from frees and play respectively, pulled themselves back into contention at the break (1-5 to 0-4).

On the restart, the Limerick champions enjoyed a great boost with a Don Flynn goal. But Flynn was to turn from hero to villain within 15 minutes as his dismissal was exploited, with Dooley, Kevin O’Brien, Ian Evans, Kieran O’Donovan and Seamus McCarthy all on target.

Their efforts brought the sides level (2-8 to 0-14) and forced extra time.

Again Dooley kept his side in touch from placed balls. On the restart, with wind assistance, Ardfield sealed victory with Dooley and Kieran Donovan hitting four points to end a fantastic game of hurling.

Shane O’Driscoll was named man of the match while Munster Council President Sean Fogarty presented the Michael Fitzmaurice Perpetual Cup to the winners.

Scorers: St James’s Ardfield: D Dooley (0-12, 10f), A Tobin (0-2), K O’Brien (0-2), K O’Donovan (0-2) I Evans (0-1), S McCarthy (0-1). Killeedy: D Flynn (1-5, 4f); D O’Connor (1-3), P Dore (0-2), G Kelly (0-1), D O’Connor (0-1).

ST JAMES’S ARDFIELD: D O’Donovan; D Fitzpatrick, F McCarthy, Sean McCarthy’ E Deasy, P O’Sullivan, S O’Driscoll; K O’Brien, Seamus McCarthy; M McCarthy, D Dooley, A Tobin, C Hegarty, C O’Donovan, I Evans.

Subs: P Griffin for D Fitzpatrick; J O’Driscoll for E Deasy.

KILKEEDY: T Kelly; D Hayes, M Mulcahy, K Cunningham; R Cunningham, B Cunningham, J Mulcahy; G Kelly, D O’Connor; Diarmuid O’Connor, E O’Connor, M Barry; P Dore, D Flynn, L McHenry.

Subs: E Shine for D Flynn; J Magnier for L McHenry.

Referee: S McNamara.