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Mike O’Halloran watched Kilmoyley claim the Neilus Flynn Cup with a victory over near neighbours St Brendan’s in Abbeydorney yesterday. Plus action shots from the game below…
Kilmoyley 3-15
St Brendan’s 1-13
Captain of Kilmoyley Sean Maunsell salutes the crowd after receiving the Neilus Flynn Cup from Chairman of the Kerry County Board, Pat O’Sullivan. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kilmoyley have gathered their 23rd Kerry senior hurling title with an emphatic victory over St Brendan’s Ardfert.
The Garvey’s SuperValu sponsored competition which has been run at North Kerry venues due to the redevelopment of Austin Stacks Park, has been a great success with the final being played in the pristine turf of Tom Healy Park in Abbeydorney in brilliant sunshine.
The sides were level on eleven minutes, two points all, but a minute later Brendan’s led by one.
Then Kilmoyley struck for goal when a long range free from the stick of Daniel Collins was not held by Darren Delaney in the St Brendan’s goal. That was the first of two goals Daniel Collins was to score in this game.
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Collins went on to score a further ten points earning him a man of the match trophy.
Kilmoyley reached the final last year playing as a team and that ethos was carried on this year where they came through the front door to win the Neilus Flynn Cup.
Seanie Murnane of Kilmoyley attempts to clear the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kilmoyley were in total control in the first half and it looked like there was to be no way back for St Brendan’s when they trailed by 1-10 to 0-4, before they had two points just before the halftime whistle, to leave a seven point difference at the break.
St Brendan’s were to have the wind in the second half and were warming up Kevin Hannafin prior to half time.
When Hannafin was introduced on the resumption he had an immediate effect with St Brendan’s scoring two points.
Then the Kilmoyley well-oiled machiene came back to life negating any threat St Brendan’s presented.
Two goals and five points were added in the second half by Kilmoyley, one from Micheal Regan and an absolute beauty of a goal created by Maurice Connor for Daniel Collins, where the youngster gave, received and gave again to set up Collins with the easiest of tasks.
The St Brendan’s challenge was completely ended when the great John Egan, their scorer in chief, received a second yellow card. They later lost Gerry Wallace and finished with 13 on the field.
Action from the county final on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kilmoyley had lost one of their main men in the first half when Adrian Royle hurt his knee.
I think even if St Brendan’s had 15 on the field for the whole game it would have made little difference such was the Kilmoyley dominance.
St Brendan’s inability to secure possession in the Kilmoyley half was their downfall along with their reliance on John Egan for scores.
This result came as a surprise to me and other followers of the small ball in Kerry, but not to the Kilmoyley players.
Action from the county final on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
When I spoke to James McCarthy afterwards he said he had no doubt but that the superior hurling skill of Kilmoyley would see them through and how right he was.
Congrats to Kilmoyley as champions and congrats to Abbeydorney Hurling Club for their staging of the semifinals and final in the most efficient and welcoming manner.
Man of the match, Daniel Collins is off on a run. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kilmoyley: Aiden McCabe; Seanie Murnane, Sean Dowling, Sean Nolan , Flor McCarthy, Dougie Fitzelle, Tom Murnane; James Godley, Jordan Brick; James McCarthy (0-1), Sean Maunsell (0-2), Robert Collins, Paudie O’Connor (0-2), Adrian Royle, Daniel Collins (2-10, 1-9f). Substitutes. Micheal Regan (1-0) for Adrian Royle (21 min), Maurice O’Connor for Jordan Brick (50 min), Ian Brick for Paudie O’Connor (59 min), Tommy Maunsell for Robert Collins (59 min).
St Brendan’s: Darren Delaney; Conor Flaherty, Rory Horgan, Fionan Horgan, Stephen Leen, Eamonn Corridan, Kevin Orpen; Darren Dineen (0-2 SL), Fionan Mackessy; Kevin Skinner, Tim Hannafin, David Griffin, Eric Leen (0-2), Cian Hussey, John Egan (0-8, 0-6f). Subs: Kevin Hannafin (0-1) for Tim Hannafin (1/2 time), Darren Wallace (1-0) for Kevin Skinner (41 min), Jerry Wallace for E Corridan (45 min).
Action from the county final on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Action from the county final on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
In the thick of the action. Photo by Dermot Crean
About to let loose. Photo by Dermot Crean
High-flying action from the county final on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
