“We are in the final”
FERMOY are in the Munster Intermediate Club Football Final after a workman like victory over Moyne-Templetuohy in Templetuohy on Sunday. The win came on a less than ideal day for attractive football however that was never likely to bother Fermoy manager Mick Hennessy who now sees his charges take on the Kerry champions for provincial glory.
“We are in the final,” Hennessey declared as his side warmed down after their four-point win over a Moyne-Templetuohy side that showed they were not going to be seen off easily.
“We will take the positives. It was more of job done in the firsthalf. Look, we didn’t get a score in the second half but we did create chances. We created three or four chances and maybe a chance of a goal and we didn’t take them. We still got over the line and our defence were extremely strong.”
While the performance on the day was hardly all that Hennessey would have been hoping for as his side drove up the M8 the manager was delighted with the way his depleted squad dealt with their absent stars.
“We were missing three or four players today so we asked everyone else to stand up. And in fairness they did – and we will come back stronger for the Munster final. We lost the toss. We would have liked to play against the wind in the first half and take it in the second-half. But it is what it is, we are happy enough to be in the final.”
Fermoy have been less than impressive in their last two victories, particularly in the second half of each game and while Hennessey was delighted with his side’s progression he does feel there is more to come from his side.
“I acknowledge you cannot go without scoring for the entire second half - but I reckon we will be a lot stronger the next time. Tomás [Clancy] will be back, Brian O’Sullivan should be back and Ruairí O’Hagan should be back.
“That is three straight away. They will make a massive difference to this team. So, I am not overly concerned about not scoring in the second-half but we wouldn’t want to be creating a pattern.”
Fermoy have shown a real eye for goal in their last two games and Hennessy knows that without the majors things might have been different for his side.
“The goals were key again today. Once we got the couple of goals we were happy.”
Fermoy’s season has gone on a lot longer than many would have predicted and because of this, real-life issues have to be catered for and in the case of Fermoy footballers the small matter of some upcoming nuptials and the mandatory stag party next weekend need to be enjoyed – however it is likely to be a tame affair considering the prospect of a Munster final with Kilcummin of Kerry is on just one week later.
“There is a stag party next weekend for the whole team. We will get over that and get back and get ready on the Monday night for the Munster final. We will have a great crack off of the Kerry champions in the final.
“I reckon this team will up themselves when it comes to the big games. I think they will really up their game. Playing against the Kerry champions what more do you want?”
Hennessy and his backroom team will take stock of what has happened in Fermoy’s last two fixtures and look to bring the best out of the Cork champions for what will definitely be the toughest test they have faced this year.