Kilcummin worthy winners over a gallant Fermoy side in Mallow

Reflects on an interesting Munster Intermediate Club final that saw Kilcummin emerge worthy winners

WWINNERS and few, not even Fermoy players or fans could argue with that fact.

The East Kerry side were well worth the win however the margin probably flattered the Kingdom boys somewhat while at the same time galling the vanquished north Cork men.

Fermoy were better than the final tally would suggest and that really is down to them rather than their opponents. Kilcummin were tough, physical, fast and highly skilled but Fermoy still started with a strong defensive setup and an urgency going forward that caused the new provincial winners plenty of nervous moments, but still Kilcummin were able to get their flow in the game and push clear in a methodical and unflustered manner that really is a credit to all concerned.

Fermoy were better than their two first half scores suggested, but the history books will show that two first half scores is all they got. Kilcummin would probably have to accept their six points in the opening 30 minutes was a fair reflection of what they were about but what was important from that stat is that Kilcummin had scored five of their six points on the run up to the break and despite just leading by two as the sides went for the half time analysis they were beginning to dominate.

The second half was very much all about the victors. Their lines of running were good, their defensive pack were on top and while their scoring prowess didn’t improve dramatically after the interval it really didn’t have to as Fermoy seemed to be running out of steam from a good way out.

Kilcummin deserve great credit for the way they reacted to being opened up over and over again in the early parts of the game and despite getting caught out in the second period a few times as well, former Kerry shot stopper Brendan Kealy proved more than a match for what Fermoy, and in particular Pádraig De Róiste, could throw at him.

From the back Kilcummin 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.

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.

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 should be happy to be heading back to senior football for the first time in many years – big few months early in 2019 for both.