Listowel too strong for Kilmurry
Listowel players and mentors celebrate after defeating Kilmurry in the AIB Munster Club JFC final on Saturday in Mallow.
Listowel Emmets joined Fossa, and many other legendary Kerry clubs, after a memorable victory over 14-man Kilmurry in the AIB Munster club JFC final in Mallow on Saturday.
The Kingdom are powerhouses when it comes to this competition and Listowel Emmets were no different in advancing to an All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo and Connacht champions Lahardane MacHales in early January.
They signalled their intent from the outset; nine-two up before a spirited Kilmurry came with a late 1-1, after midfielder Kyle Kelleher received a second yellow in the 48th minute.
Unfortunately for Kilmurry, it represents back-to-back final defeats, the latest against an Enda Murphy-managed and Marc Ó Sé-coached young team that had been installed as favourites.
Joint-captain and full-back Niall Collins, one of the elder statesmen at 25, said they are improving all the time.
“At underage level, we had a lot of success. We knew we had to learn our trade, as such, and to try and push our standards every year. If you go back to 2021 we got promoted to division two of the county league. We won north Kerry.
“Again, if you are winning, it is going to bring a lot of belief and experience into the team. Obviously, Joe Joe (Grimes) coming back this year, massive addition, ex-Cork panelist. Eddie Healy coming up from minors. We have a lot of young lads coming into the group.
“Marc’s (Ó Sé) arrival is at the right time. He has improved us as individuals, and as a team. His parents lived in Listowel for a spell. He has fitted well, is high profile, but down to earth and an honest guy.”
Listowel Emmets just appeared that bit sharper. They also shot eight wides to three for Kilmurry, and only conceded two points in regulation, while substitute Greg Barrett’s goal arrived in the 65th minute.
A high level of work-rate was required to get through this tough encounter. They led four-nil at the break with their first point from play coming in the 33rd minute by Bryan Sweeney, swiftly followed by a Sam Tarrant free - it also highlighted an effective defensive structure.
As the journey continues, the next few weeks will be spent getting ready for the next important occasion.
"The novelty of training over Christmas and preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final will be massive,” said Collins.
It was a disappointing year-end for Kilmurry.
“Munster finals are brilliant and it is great for a club the size of us to be in two of them in two years,” manager Cormac Linehan revealed.
“But the county (final loss to St Finbarr’s) was the big one this year and we are disappointed about that, that was the biggest disappointment of the year.”
S Tarrant (0-3 frees), D Keane (0-2 frees), S Keane (0-2, 0-1 free), B Sweeney and J McVeigh (0-1 each).
G Barrett (1-0), B Hinchion and T Collins (0-1 each).
C Keane; C Pierse, N Collins (J-Capt), M Kennedy; J McElligott, E Healy, C Mulvihill; J J Grimes, J McVeigh; S Keane, G McCarthy, E Browne; B Sweeney, S Tarrant, D Keane.
A O’Rourke for G McCarthy (39), D Lynch for D Keane (44), D Leahy (J-Capt) for C Mulvihill (57), C Holly for S Tarrant, J Moriarty for S Keane (both 59), S Gilbert for E Browne (bs 64).
J McDonnell; B Hinchion, K Barrett, G O’Mahony; D Cahalane, W Ronan (J-Capt), T Collins; K Kelleher (J-Capt), James O’Mullane; L Aisling, A Aisling, R Duggan; P Brehanu, L Wall, S Warren.
Joe O’Mullane for S Warren (35), R Leahy for R Duggan (45), G Barrett for A Aisling (54), J McGinn for P Brehanu (58).
Timmy McGrath (Limerick).
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