Kerry SHC: Late goal secures 26th Kerry crown for John Meyler's Kilmoyley

Captain Flor McCarthy and man of the match Dougie Fitzell after Kilmoyley's Kerry SHC final win over St Brendan's at Austin Stack Park. Picture: Domnick Walsh 

Kilmoyley 1-14 St Brendan’s 1-11

Just like they always seem to, the John Meyler managed Kilmoyley found a way.

That’s what has seen them climb above Ballyduff in the Kerry SHC roll of honour with 26 titles after they retained their crown in dramatic circumstances at Austin Stack Park on Sunday.

Opponents, and parish rivals, St Brendan’s led until the 59th minute before Maurice O’Connor struck for the match-winning goal to break Ardfert hearts and spark celebrations amongst the Kilmoyley following.

Winning manager John Meyler described the deciders as “pure hurling and that is what you get in the Kerry senior hurling championship. There are no flies there, no messing around and every game is 50-50. You saw the game that St Brendan’s brought today, they were outstanding in their hooking and blocking and their determined hurling. It was just a small bit more composure by Maurice with the goal, Daniel Collins with the frees that saw us prevail. Our backs were good. Dougie Fitzell and the ageless Tom Murnane were outstanding. It was down possibly to a small bit extra experience that got us over the line.” A cracking goal from Kevin Hanafin on the stroke of halftime proved the difference between the sides at the interval with St Brendan’s looking the more dangerous side in that opening spell.

The first quarter was a tense affair with St Brendan’s just leading 0-4 to 0-3 thanks to two Cian Hussey points from play and one each from Fionan Mackessy and Seanie Brosnan while Paudie O’Connor, Dáire Nolan, and Daniel Collins replied for Kilmoyley.

Nolan had them level (0-7) apiece in the 30th minute but that Hanafin goal and a Padraig O’Sullivan point saw St Brendan’s retire 1-8 to 0-7 to the good at the break.

Kilmoyley with the wind to their backs started to eat into St Brendans lead with super sub Adrian Royle proving a central figure in the comeback.

Two Collins frees, and superb points from Jordan Brick and Royle left them a point behind (1-10 to 0-12) at the water break. The experience of Kilmoyley was the fore in the final quarter with Colman Savage, Dougie Fitzell, and Tom Murnane prominent. Paudie O’Connor landed an equaliser before the ever-dangerous Maurice O’Connor collected a long Tom Murnane delivery before planting the ball in the back of the St Brendan’s net to seal victory.

Scorers for Kilmoyley: D Collins (0-6, 5 f’s), M O’Connor (1-1), P O’Connor, D Nolan and A Royle (0-2 each), J Brick (0-1).

Scorers for St Brendan’s: C Hussey (0-5, 3f), K Hanafin (1-0), F Mackessy and S Brosnan (0-2 each), P O’Sullivan and S O’Halloran (0-1 each).

KILMOYLEY: J B O’Halloran; D Kennedy, C Savage, F McCarthy; J Godley, D Fitzell, T Murnane; P O’Connor, M Flaherty; J Brick, D Collins, D Nolan ; D McCarthy, R Collins , M O’Connor 

Subs: R Walsh for R Collins (h/t), A Royle for D McCarthy (38), Teams:

ST BRENDAN’S: D Delaney; P O’Sullivan, K Wolfe, S Leen; K Orpen, F Mackessy , D Dineen; E Leen, D Griffin; K Hanafin, , P Kearney, J Egan ; S Brosnan , S O’Halloran, C Hussey.

Subs: F Horgan for S Leen (inj 48), B O’Connor for K Orpen (52), E Kearney for P O’Sullivan (53), N O’Driscoll for S O’Halloran (55)

Referee: M Sexton (Limerick)