Clare champions get past Stradbally for final appearance

KILMURRY-IBRICKANE (Clare) 0-9 STRADBALLY (Waterford) 0-6

Kilmurry-Ibrickane manager Micheal McDermott proudly watched on as his side won through to the AIB Munster Club SFC final for the second year running thanks to a workmanlike display in Dungarvan this afternoon.

The Clare champions, who lost out to Drom-Broadford in last year's provincial decider, had too much in the tank for a determined Stradbally side.

In what was a repeat of the 2004 Munster final, Odhran O'Dwyer's assured free-taking helped wind-backed Kilmurry take the early initiative.

They were 0-4 to 0-0 to the good after 15 minutes' play, and O'Dwyer had raised five white flags by the time the half-time whistle was blown.

Ian McInerney missed Kilmurry's best chance at breaking the goal deadlock, and Stradbally almost made him pay in first-half injury time.

The Waterford champions earned a penalty in the dying seconds. A goal would have heaped the pressure on Kilmurry but Shane Aherne clipped his effort to the left and wide.

The first half was fiercely competitive with five yellow cards shown and in the end, Stradbally were forced to see out the game with 13 players.

They were 0-7 to 0-2 behind at half-time and a free from former goalkeeper Ian McInerney stretched Kilmurry's lead to six.

Stradbally missed a number of frees as they tried to get back on terms, although team captain Niall Curran was able to find his range and cut the gap to three points.

However, with Declan Callinan, skipper Enda Coughlan and midfielders Paul O'Connor and Peter O'Dwyer getting through a huge amount of work, Kilmurry prevailed - a late free from McInerney confirming their place in the December 6 final.