Now or never for ‘minnows’

KILMURRY/IBRICKANE hope to emulate the feat of fellow Clare club Doonbeg by winning tomorrow’s AIB Munster Club SFC title for the first time.

Tomorrow’s decider takes on an added edge in that it’s only the second time since the inception of the competition in 1964 that the final does not include a team from Kerry or Cork.

Apart from wins by Thomond College (now UL) in 1977 and Doonbeg in 1998, the Munster Club football title has been the prerogative of the Cork and Kerry champions in the 40 years of its existence.

Both managers are of a like mind about tomorrow’s final.

They see it as an opportunity to break the mould and create history for their clubs by winning their first ever provincial club title.

“Neither of us will get a better chance of winning the title,” said Kilmurry boss Pat O’Dwyer, who hopes to see his four sons, Odran, Michael, Paul and Peter, pick up medals.

“Once the Cork and Kerry champions went out of the title race, it was up for grabs between the rest of us, and you can take it tomorrow’s final is going to be one hell of a contest,” said O’Dwyer.

The Clare champions were in the final once before, against Nemo Rangers in 1993, and there are a few links between then and now.

Pat O’Dwyer was the manager 11 years ago, while Odran, Martin Keavey and Martin Cahill all played in that final, and for Odran, who skippers the team tomorrow, it’s an opportunity to make amends.

“It took us some time to recover from the drubbing Nemo gave us in the 1993 final,” said O’Dwyer, “but through sheer hard work we are back in the final again.

“We’ve had a lot of underage success over the years and we need to win a Munster title to keep the young lads going.

“One of our strengths has been the way we improve with every game.

“Also we don’t have any real stars. It’s primarily a team effort that has got us this far, and hopefully we can keep going for at least one more match.

“Apart from what it would mean to the club, it would also be a tremendous boost for football in the county if we were to win. There is a lot of competition out there from other sports and a win tomorrow would help to keep young players with you.”

Kilmurry will start as favourites tomorrow on the strength of having come through the tougher side of the draw. Éire Óg Ennis took them to a replay in the Clare county final before they edged out a highly rated Drom/Broadford side in the Munster quarter-final by a point (0-13 to 0-12).

Because of the nature of the Kerry championship, Kilmurry faced Milltown/Castlemaine in the semi-final, and on a horrendous day for football on their home ground in Quilty, had five points (2-7 to 0-8) to spare.

On the other side of the draw, Stradbally played Loughmore/ Castleiney in the provincial quarter-final after winning their fourth Waterford title on the trot.

Similarly, because the Cork championship was won by a divisional team, runners-up Bishopstown provided the opposition in the semi-final and despite having to play the second-half with 14 players, Stradbally proved too good for the Cork side.

And so the scene is set for a unique final tomorrow. Conditions in Semple Stadium are likely to be firm underfoot, which will suit both teams as they love to play fast, open football.

The outcome may come down to how the respective attacks fare.

Kilmurry’s looks the more potent, with Johnny Daly their top scorer. He has amassed 7 goals and 44 points so far in the championship, more than any hurler has scored this season. He will take marking tomorrow.

Another forward who will need to be watched is 18-year-old Shane Hickey, who is in line to win a quartet of championship medals, having already won county minor, under 21 and senior honours this year.

Stradbally were taken to a replay by The Nire in the county final before defeating the Tipperary champions by a point and Bishopstown by a goal.

They must play without the suspended George Walsh tomorrow, but according to team coach Sean Aherne, their panel is strong and they won’t have any fear of Kilmurry.

“We were well beaten by St Finbarrs in our last appearance in the final 24 years ago, and we’ve been waiting a long time for another shot at the title,” he said.

“Having seen our opponents play, we are up against it tomorrow, but if Kevin Coffey, Niall Curran, Stephen Cunningham and Michael Walsh strike form, I’m confident we’ll prove more than a match for Kilmurry.”