Classy Chris Óg Jones helps take young Muskerry to 'uncharted territory'

Muskerry have reached their first county quarter-final in a decade.

Muskerry's Chris Óg Jones has his shot saved by Duhallow's goalkeeper Conor Casey during the McCarthy Insurance Group Divisions/Colleges SFC final at Macroom. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Muskerry made a huge breakthrough in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC at Macroom on Friday night as captain Eoghan Lehane from the Canovee club lifted the Tadhg Crowley Cup. Their enthralling 3-13 to 2-15 Colleges/Divisions victory over holders Duhallow guarantees them a quarter-final place in the county championship.

Their one-point victory made for a tense finish - they defeated Carbery also by a single point in the semi-final — and for manager Conor Hurley it was extra sweet as the win was secured on his home ground in front of a large attendance.

“It’s all about the players,” he said. 

“What we’ve managed to get together is a group of young enthusiastic players from a mix of clubs across the division, maybe eight or nine different clubs starting, and a couple of more clubs on the bench. It’s all them, we’re very proud of them. We haven’t done a whole pile of training but their attitude is spot on.

“We knew Duhallow are very experienced, they’re full of good players. They ran themselves to a standstill, it was very hairy in the end. I think we just about deserved it.” 

They were cruising at half-time, 3-7 to 0-8 up. Chris Óg Jones, just one in attack who showed great leadership.

“He showed his class in all the three games we’ve played. We’re very lucky to have him. But it’s not just him. Liam O’Connor, Liam Twohig, Ian Jones and Eolan O’Leary. Aaron O’Sullivan got a fantastic point but he had two dispossessions in the first half, he was just brilliant.

“At the other end, Joe Creedon in goals, he’s always good.” 

It’s 10 years since Muskerry made a last-eight senior football appearance - defeated by eventual champions Ballincollig - and it is 1970 since the division claimed county honours.

“We’re taking it one stage at a time, for this young team it is uncharted territory. They’ll go back to their clubs and that is their focus.

“I feel very sorry for Cillian Donovan coming off with an injury, he’s gone to get seen and he was terrific tonight.”