Themselves full justice

played really well. Philip Casey, Donal Maher and Daniel Moynihan did well when Fermoy looked to be getting on top.

Out the field Shane McSweeney and Kevin Gorman were powerful in the middle with McSweeney in particular really good under the high ball. McSweeney, and his opposite number Tómas Clancy gave an exhibition of high fielding at times with both players turning quickly when possession was won rather than accepting marks that would slow down the game.

The game was, as all games are, won on the scoreboard and in the case of Kilcummin that all came down to the influence of the forward lines. Kerry star Kevin McCarthy did really well during the game, coming deep to collect and running powerfully with or without the ball in hand.

Kieran Murphy was another to impress, and like McCarthy, managed one point from play but when it comes to the scoring stakes it was Matt Keane that really shone.

This wasn’t a game where anyone racked up a hefty tally but Keane bagged three superb points from play when they were required and because of the wing-forward’s influence Kilcummin came out with an advantage as the game was in the melting pot stage.

Noel Duggan in the corner was another to show his worth and both, along with goal scoring sub Ian Devane, can be very proud of their own personal tallies.

For Fermoy, Clancy was by far and away the stand out player – of course that is what you would expect from a player of his quality. Clancy strode forward over and over again and was not only the Fermoy side’s driving force but he was also their most adventurous player, and that without notching up a score. I genuinely believe that if Fermoy had played to their potential they could have won this game

De Róiste’s penalty miss was a crucial moment in the game as Fermoy would have been five points up at that point however Fermoy missed more chances than that and those early misses, as well as a couple of goal line saves in the second half, meant that Fermoy were restricted to just four scores – and that has been the north Cork side’s Achilles heel over the last month or so.

Fermoy showed early in this game and in the first half of the last few games that they have a genuine scoring threat however putting 60 minutes together was their flaw.

I genuinely believe that if Fermoy had played to their potential they could and probably would have won this game and that will hurt many at the club but the games are played on the day and on this day Kilcummin were the better side.

Overall, the correct team won this game and few would argue with that fact but both camps should genuinely be delighted with their season to this point. Kilcummin will march on and represent the province while Fermoy are heading back to senior football for the first time in many years – big few months early in 2019 for both.