Stradbally under no illusions about the quality of final opponents

THE meeting of Stradbally and Kilmurry/Ibrickane in the AIB Munster Club SFC final in Thurles on December 5 is only the second time in the history of the provincial championship that no Cork or Kerry team will be involved.

In 1998 Doonbeg (Clare) clashed with Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) in the final, which the former won after a replay.

Both Stradbally and Kilmurry/Ibrickane played in previous finals, the Waterford side against St Finbarr's in 1980 and the Quilty team against Nemo Rangers in 1993. Success eluded both clubs.

Stradbally officials made a round trip of over 300 miles to Quilty on Sunday to run their eye over their opponents and came away with plenty of food for thought.

Team coach Sean Aherne, principal of St Declan's College, Kilmacthomas, didn't make the trip as he had his team out training. However, his colleagues were very impressed by the Clare champions. Said Aherne: "Conditions were dreadful for football but Kilmurry/Ibrickane played extremely well. They are a big, physical team and coped very well when Milltown applied the pressure in the second-half.

"Another huge plus for them was their volume of support. If they bring that to Thurles they are going to be difficult to beat. Thurles will suit both teams, who like to play open football. We are not a big team and the open spaces of Semple Stadium will suit us fine.

"To say we are surprised at being in the final is an under-statement. We never set out with that goal in mind. Then, once the big names like Nemo Rangers, Castlehaven, An Gaeltacht and Laune Rangers were not involved it opened the door for clubs like ourselves, Drom Broadford and Kilmurry to make a charge.

"I felt Drom had the best chance of winning the Munster title, but Kilmurry beat them coming from behind and the mantle of favourites has now shifted to them."

Continued Aherne: "After beating Loughmore/Castleiney in the quarter final, I was a little apprehensive going to Cork to play Bishopstown. They were reputed to have a very good team.

"That game was a very open affair. We played particularly well that day, but victory came at a cost. George Walsh received a straight red card which rules him out of the final.

"Michael Walsh, who plays senior hurling with the county, is our best known player, while Niall Curran, John Coffey and John Aherne were on the U21 team which won the Munster title last year. This is a huge bonus for us to be in a Munster Club final and it would be fantastic if we managed to win.

"It would be a huge boost for Waterford football as well.

"You can say the same for Kilmurry and for Clare football.

"With all the big name clubs gone, this title is really up for grabs and you can take it both ourselves and Kilmurry/Ibrickane will be all out to win it," he said. "In a two-horse race, you have a 50/50 chance and, despite what we saw in Quilty on Sunday, we have the utmost confidence in our lads to get a result."