O’Dwyer an injury worry for Kilmurry

KILMURRY-IBRICKANE are anxious about the fitness of Peter O’Dwyer ahead of Sunday’s AIB Munster Club SFC final against Stradbally in Thurles.

One of four brothers on the team, Peter damaged an ankle during the course of the semi-final win over Milltown/Castlemaine a fortnight ago and has been unable to train since.

Team manager Pat O’Dwyer (his father) said Peter has been receiving intensive treatment and that the injury is responding. “We’ll know more about it by tomorrow.

“There is a huge air of anticipation in the parish about Sunday’s final. We have been in the final before, but with no team from Cork or Kerry on this occasion, both camps see this as an opportunity to break the stranglehold the big guns have had on this championship. We are going into this final at a slight disadvantage in that we have not seen Stradbally play, while I understand they have been up to Quilty to see us against Milltown.

“Conditions that day were dreadful and they could have learned very little. But it’s still an advantage to see your opponents in action. We were involved ourselves on the occasions Stradbally were playing, but no matter what preparations you make, it all boils down to how well you play on the day.

“In the overall scheme of things, Clare would be regarded as one of the weaker counties. But to be challenging for Munster Club honours is a huge boost for both club and county. I know it’s a well worn cliche, but its all about how we cope with the big occasion, and for most of our lads this is the biggest day in their careers.

“Our best performance all season was against Drom/Broadford in the Munster quarter-final. The second-half of that game was Kilmurry at their very best. If we can reproduce that form for the full hour, and we are more than capable of doing it, I would give ourselves a great chance of taking the title.

“We have a couple of very young players who might find the occasion a bit intimidating, but the selectors have been working on that, and they’ll be ready for the big day. Only three of our players, Odran O’Dwyer, Martin Cahill and Martin Keavey know all about Munster finals at this level as they were members of the 1993 team which failed to Nemo Rangers.

“I was also the team manager that year, so it would be a very welcome boost if we were to pull it off on this occasion. Hopefully Santa Claus will be coming early to Quilty this year.”