Kilmurry blitz Iveleary to keep Muskerry title
Kilmurry 2-19 Iveleary 2-14
KILMURRY’S domination of the Ross Oil Muskerry Junior A Football Championhip continues following a thrilling win over Iveleary in the presence of a large attendance at Ballyvourney last Sunday evening.
After operated second best for much of the opening half, Kilmurry wrestled control during the third quarter where a productive flourish yielded a 1-8 tally as against conceding just a single point helped the reigning champions retain the title for the first time.
Kilmurry held key personnel in attack yet the contribution of ‘keeper Jason McDonnell was immense, no disputing the man of the match accolade, brilliant saves in addition to being consistently reliable in his handling.
The 2015 champions Iveleary got off to a dream start, Barry O’Leary blasted home a fine goal for his side enjoy a five point advantage. Though Kilmurry opened their account with a Liam Wall point, they were thankful to McDonnell on finger tipping a Seán O’Leary piledriver over the crossbar.
Steadily, Kilmurry created more of an impact, Joe Ryan and Eoghan Clifford split the uprights to narrow the arrears 1-4 to 0-5. For a spell, Iveleary won back dominance through the key play of Barry Murphy, O’Leary and Brian Cronin as Chris Óg Jones and Finbarr McSweeney split the uprights.
Kilmurry hung in thanks to the brilliance of McDonnell between the posts as team captain William Buckley landed the closing three points to cut the leeway 1-7 to 0-9 at the break. Jones added to the Iveleary tally soon after the restart, but they flattered to deceive, a drop in tempo, not helped by playing three games in eight days.
Indeed Kilmurry resumed a different side, Jonathan Buckley’s effort partly blocked only for Eoghan Clifford to blast home the rebound.
Now Kilmurry grabbed the reins through the effective forays of Kevin Barrett, David O’Leary, Wall and substitute Seán Curzon. And in attack, Ryan, Clifford and Buckley angled over points from all distances for Kilmurry assume a clear 1-17 to 1-8 grip at the three quarter mark.
In fairness, Iveleary weren’t quite ready to surrender, they appeared to get their second wind, points to substitutes Cathal Vaughan, Shane Galvin, Cronin and Jones trimmed the deficit.
That was good as it got for Iveleary for Kilmurry held the scent of victory after centre back David O’Leary stormed forward to net in the 58th min. Iveleary never gave up, Finbarr McSweeney grabbed a late consolation goal but there was no denying Kilmurry from sampling silverware for the 10th outright occasion.
KILMURRY: J McDonnell; F Warren, K Barrett, W Ronan; J O’Mullane, D O’Leary 1-0, L Wall 0-1; D Cahalane, G Barrett; D O’Halloran 0-1, W Buckley 0-6 (3f), J Buckley 0-1; J Ryan 0-7 (2f), D McCarthy, E Clifford 1-3. Subs: S Curzon for Cahalane (25), L Long for O’Halloran (60).
IVELEARY: J Creedon; D Cotter, B Murphy, G O’Riordan; S O’Leary 0-1, D O’Riordan, K Manning; B O’Leary 1-0, C O’Riordan; F McSweeney Snr, F McSweeney Jnr 1-1, S Lehane; C Óg Jones 0-5, C Galvin, B Cronin 0-4 (1f). Subs: C Vaughan 0-2f for C Galvin (35), S Galvin 0-1 for Lehane (41), G McSweeney for F McSweeney Snr (58).
REFEREE: T Hayes (Éire Óg) PASSAGE WEST BLITZ COURSES FOR NORTH CORK CLUBS