Boost for Kerry as Kilmoyley shock Cloyne

KERRY hurling received a timely boost at the weekend when county champions Kilmoyley defeated Cloyne (Cork) in the semi-final of the Munster Club SHL at Ballyhea.

Kilmoyley owed their 0-16 to 0-14 win, achieved after extra-time, to the brilliance of their full back line of Brendan Harris, Ian Brick and Sean Griffin who defied the best a near full strength Cloyne side had to offer.

“We knew we could compete at the highest level after doing so well against Toomevara in the Club championship”, said Kilmoyley coach John Meyler.

“It was only a question of going out and expressing ourselves.

“Cloyne went into the game off the back of a close win over Sars the previous week, and weren’t taking any chances with us by fielding most of their championship team.

“This win will do us a power of good and the game in the county as a whole.

“We’ll have no fear of Na Piarsaigh (Cork) in the final on Sunday week, possibly in Fitzgerald Stadium”, said Meyler.

There was little to choose between the sides over the hour. Cloyne led 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, but had to depend on a last minute equalising point by Diarmuid O’Sullivan to force extra time.

In the 20 minutes that were added, the Kerry champions found an other gear and amid tremendous excitement, held on for a famous victory.