So near and yet so far

IT rather crept up on his this campaign.

The County Final – a replay remember – saw Kilmoyley crowned county champions in late September and for five or six weeks any thoughts of their Munster campaign receded as focus turned to the big ball game, to Dr Crokes and Kenmare District, to Glenbeigh / Glencar and Na Gaeil.

Then, before we knew it, it was on top of us again. Kilmoyley in the Munster championship. The chance for a first ever provincial championship victory for one of the Kingdom’s two most illustrious clubs.

It offered too the chance for redemption. Not long after their 2015 county title, they made the trip to Six-mile-bridge to take on Shannon Wolfe Tones in the Munster championship and left with their tails firmly between their legs.

A chastening experience and one that would undoubtedly be foremost in their thoughts as they made their way to the Gaelic Grounds in early November for a date with Limerick kingpins Monaleen.

The odds seemed stacked against them, Monaleen already had a game under their belts, Kilmoyley had six weeks training and games usually trump any amount of training. Manager Fergie O’Loughlin, however, had his homework done.

Kilmoyley thundered into the game and by the end a team which had struggled for goals domestically plundered four to run out 4-12 to 0-13 winners to set up a date in the Munster final with an all conquering Lismore side.

That final again saw Kilmoyley as massive underdogs, but this time with a real spring in their step as a result of that history making success against Monaleen. Against the side spearheaded in attack by Maurice and Dan Shanahan the Kerry champions more than held their own in the first half.

However, there were warning signs there even at that stage. Kilmoyley were struggling badly to get their hands on primary possession and, Daniel Collins aside, looked badly short of attacking options.

In the end that disparity proved too much for Kilmoyley to overcome. Lismore had seven different scorers and Kilmoyley just one – Daniel Collins scored all 0-13 of the Kerry champions’ total as Lismore ran out seven point winners, putting 2-14 on the board.

Kilmoyley’s Jordan Brick with tears in his eyes after they were defeated by Lismore in the Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Final Photo by Eric Barry