Barry-Murphy leading Cloughduv revival

WHEN the once mighty Cloughduv’s hurling fortunes fell on lean times, the call went out to one of their most famous sons to lend a hand to get the club back to the top.

A legend in his own lifetime, Jimmy Barry-Murphy rallied to the call and, in his first season in charge of coaching affairs, has taken the mid Cork club to their first county final in the junior grade since 1994.

“I couldn’t refuse when the club asked me to come on board,” said Jimmy. “After all, my family is steeped in Cloughduv hurling.

“My grandfather, my grand uncle of the same name and many of my relations all played with the club and I was only too glad to do what I could to lift the club back up the ladder.

“There is a tremendous tradition of hurling in Cloughduv. They have contested the junior county final six times, winning twice in 1940 and 1970. The club has also played in nine county intermediate finals, winning five, the last in 1986, and competed at senior level, winning a county title in 1928 when they were joined with Éire Óg.

“Cloughduv has also given some superb underage and adult players to various Cork teams and, given the club’s passion for hurling, deserve to be up there competing at a higher level.

“When I first came on board I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for. I only knew two players, Pat Dunlea and Tom O’Mahony personally. But, as time went on, I began to realise we had an excellent crop of players, all eager to listen and learn.

“They have worked extremely hard, trained well and deserved to be in Sunday’s county final. I have to say we rode our luck along the way, but it’s an accepted fact that the junior grade is very difficult to win.

“Grenagh took us to a replay before we won the Mid Cork divisional title. They had been the top club in Muskerry over last few years and we were fortunate enough to survive that test.

“Meelin put up stubborn resistance in the county quarter-final and again we did well to win that game by a three point margin. Our first-half display against Castlemartyr in the semi-final was by far our best of the season.

“However games are over 60-odd minutes and we’ll need to play as well for the entire game if we are to win, because this is a very good Fermoy side, with a nice blend of youth and experience in their team.

“Like Fermoy, Cloughduv have top class facilities, but you need to be winning county championships to maintain the interest. It’s been a long season. Playing finals at this time of the year particularly in hurling isn’t ideal.

“From a player’s point of view, not having a proper structured season and knowing when you are playing, is very frustrating, and I would be fearful it will all blow up in the GAA’s face one of these days if the fixtures are not properly scheduled.

“County championship games at junior level have always been very close affairs over the years and I’m expecting Sunday’s final to be along similar lines. We’ll have to be more consistent if we are to win.”

Like their opponents, Fermoy have rode their luck in this year’s championship. They were nominated to represent Avondhu in the county and won two rounds, beating Bandon and Ballinhassig, before going back to contest the divisional final against Clyda Rovers.

They almost came a cropper in that game which, had they lost, would have meant the Mourneabbey side would be in tomorrow’s final.

But it’s a decider that may be coming a year or two early for the north Cork side and Cloughduv get the nod to win their third title in this grade, albeit after what should be a titanic struggle.