Game turns on second goal

THE respective management teams at Quilty yesterday for the AIB Munster Club SFC semi-final were agreed on one thing: the game turned on Kilmurry/Ibrickane’s second goal just before half time.

“It was the crucial score, as was the point just after half time”, said Kilmurry manager Pat O’Dwyer. “Instead of going in with a four point lead that goal gave us a cushion of seven points, and I felt we were good enough to win from that position.

“That goal gave us a tremendous boost for the second half and then getting the first score in the second half was also another crucial factor. We displayed tremendous resilience when Milltown came back at us and reduced our eight-point advantage to three. It was then you saw our side at its very best.

“We were under the cosh for a while late in the game, but great heart allied to plenty of football skill saw us finish well. Midfield was the crucial area and I think we shaded it. One of the principal reasons we won was the respect we had for Milltown. They are newcomers to this level of football, but you can never under-estimate a Kerry team.

“It’s wonderful for us to be in the Munster final. Both ourselves and Stradbally will fancy our chances. It should be a great occasion for both clubs.”

Milltown coach Mike Hegarty said the Kerry club champions travelled with high hopes. “It’s a new experience for us playing at this level, but we had the chances and didn’t take them. Their second goal was the turning point.

“The wind was very strong and I felt we could handle the four point deficit but when it went up to seven it proved just that bit too far for us. The heavy conditions didn’t suit us, we are a bit on the light side, but we gave it our best.

Kilmurry captain Odran O’Dwyer said, “We are on a roll at the moment and hopefully we can keep it going, but the final is going to be another very difficult game for us.”