The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
EVEN STEVENS
Kilmoyley match Ballyduff’s 24 titles
KILMOYLEY have finally caught Ballyduff on hurling’s roll of honour after they captured their 24th County Senior Hurling Championship title to draw level with the club they defeated in Sunday’s replayed final.
Shane Brick, who only returned to the club in recent weeks after a few seasons playing in Cork, put in a man of the match performance for the Lerrig club to help them to a 1-18 to 2-13 victory over Ballyduff.
Brick scored three points, including a sideline ball, as Kilmoyley finished off the job in Saturday’s replay, retaining the title they won last year and matching Ballyduff on the county’s roll of honour.
After picking up his seventh county senior championship medal and a fourth Man of the Match award Brick said: “There’s a great rivalry there but a great respect as well and, look, we are just delighted we are champions.”
Kilmoyley manager Fergie O’Loughlin felt his team can be compared favourably with any previous Kilmoyley team after retaining their title.
“In the overall scheme of things we were probably the better team for the hour. I think we got the breaks today, it paid off and I am delighted for the boys. I always keep saying that you win a Championship, you put one on the back of it, back to back, you’re a super team. There’s no doubt now about being a flash in the pan, a brilliant display,” the Clare native said.
Ballyduff selector Anthony O’Carroll was magnanimous in defeat, citing Brick’s influence as key to Kilmoyley’s success.
“We are disappointed, the lads are very dejected out there. In fairness to Kilmoyley they played well. Shane Brick was a massive asset to them, and fair play to them for getting him back. They used the rule and Shane improved from the last day as well, so he was influential in all of the good work they did,” O’Carroll said.
Kilmoyley have six weeks to celebrate this record equalling win and prepare for the Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship on the weekend of November 6 when they travel away to play either the Clare or Limerick Intermediate champions.