Consistency is Kilmurry's hallmark as they chase a third county title in five seasons

Mid Cork side have also landed the Munster junior crown, and an U21 trophy, since their breakthrough in 2022

ON THE FRONT FOOT: Kilmurry's Liam Wall bursting past Sean Treacys' Paul Nolan and Darragh Kennedy in the 2023 Munster campaign. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

When Kilmurry captured the Junior A crown in the winter of 2022, it was their first adult county in 36 years.

Victory over Cobh sparked a huge outpouring of emotion in the Muskerry club, given they had been starved of success in the modern era. While they were Mid Cork champions four times from 2012 to 2017, that never translated into a county title and they had been beaten in the 2021 divisional quarter-final by Aghinagh.

There was a huge sense of satisfaction four years ago but they used their breakthrough as a launchpad. Kilmurry reached the Premier Junior decider in 2023 – falling short to St Finbarr’s – before returning to claim the cup in 2024 after a derby with neighbours Canovee, who themselves landed that prize last weekend.

Across that period, they made three successive Munster Junior finals, facilitated by the restructuring of the Cork championships and the fact the Barrs’ second team couldn’t move into the provincial arena. In 2022, they were outgunned by David and Paudie Clifford’s Fossa but their Munster triumph in ’24 made them the first Cork club to wrestle the silverware from the Kingdom’s grasp since Knocknagree in 2017.

Kilmurry joint-captain William Ronan celebrates the victory over Cobh in 2024. Picture: Dan Linehan

Now they’re back in the Páirc, under Friday night lights, for the Intermediate A final against Buttevant. 

Cormac Linehan, who guided them to the last two counties, has moved on but Brian Harte assumed the manager’s mantle seamlessly, with Naomh Abán’s Daire O’Sullivan by his side as coach.

Consistency has become their hallmark. They only lost the 2024 Junior All-Ireland semi-final on penalties, they’ve been top seeds in the IAFC in successive years and were pipped in the semi last season by eventual winners Ballinora.

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A thriving underage section, which maximises the rural club’s numbers, has been integral to their sustained success. In 2024 they added an U21 B title to their Premier Junior and Munster silverware with an emphatic victory over St Nicks. Denis O’Mullane and Seán O’Leary, who lined out for the Cork U20s earlier this season, were key figures in that triumph and their energy will be crucial against Buttevant.

Friday’s final is a repeat of the group meeting when the Mid Cork outfit roared back from eight points in arrears to win 0-16 to 2-9. O’Mullane, Rory Duggan, Joe McGinn and Tomás Collins came up with the vital scores; Duggan and McGinn, as captain, both excelled in the U21 campaign two years ago.

Liam Wall is hugely reliable in attack and the addition of Galway native Ruadhán Ó Curraoín has bolstered their firepower.

They’ll need it against the team that succeeded them as Premier Junior champions, spearheaded by Mark Lenehan, Conor and David Hanlon. After the defeat to Kilmurry in August, Joey Hanlon’s side took out last year’s IAFC runners-up Ilen Rovers and a stacked Mitchelstown outfit.

Kilmurry boss Brian Harte, who stepped up from the U21 role, believes both clubs are on a similar upward curve, with the skill and forwards to shine at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Kilmurry manager Brian Harte. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

"I'd class us as two footballing teams with lots of pace in the team and I think a wide-open pitch will suit both teams. I don't think there's any advantage to either side from that point of view."

In the last encounter, Kilmurry’s defence was miserly in the second half, limiting Buttevant to two points as they completed a nine-point turnaround. Their opponents have been two-point specialists but pressing out to the arc in the Páirc is more demanding given the width of the pitch.

"We had a great battle with Buttevant above in Kanturk and it could have gone either way. We played them as well in the league and there was nothing between the two teams.

"We're well used to each other and every time the two teams meet there seems to be little more than a kick of a ball between us, so we know that on Friday night it's going to be another huge battle."

Kyle Kelleher on the move for Kilmurry against Boherbue. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Kilmurry opened up a new pitch in Crookstown this summer and are in their strongest position, on and off the field, since the 1980s and early ‘90s when they collected two Junior A counties and contended for promotion to senior. They’ve savoured the build-up to Friday because they appreciate how important they are. This is their first appearance in an intermediate final since losing to Dohenys 31 years ago.

"These nights in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh are huge and they're a great occasion for the club and the community,” said Harte. “We're really looking forward to it. I think everybody in the club is anticipating it and we're delighted to be there."