Kilmoyley beaten in Munster final

Munster League Club Final 2002

Kilmoyley 0-07 Sarsfields 1-12

The Seniors were defeated by Sarsfields of Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney 14th December 2002. Conditions on the day were perfect, but the pitch surface was very cut up and not suitable for hurling. Kilmoyley were missing five of the team that defeated Lixnaw in the County championship final, but on the day, Sarsfields were no doubt the better team, having a better first touch and being first to the breaking ball.

Despite this, Kilmoyley started brightly with Ollie Diggin opening the scoring with a point with Kilmoyley playing into a very slight breeze. Richard Gentleman added a second from a free. Sarsfields were guilty of shooting some very poor wides at this stage and the Kilmoyley backs were under severe pressure. Cork star Pat Ryan scored two frees for Sarsfields and they had another when a goal looked likely. Paul McCarthy temporarily replaced Richard Gentleman with a head wound (no doubt Fiancee Gillian was worried) and he came back on to replace Brendan Lawlor just before half time. Liam Walsh, despite suffering from a chest infection was doing a great job of keeping the Cork forwards at bay. Ollie Diggin was the best Kilmoyley forward in the first half. Kilmoyley trailed 6 points to 4 at half-time.

Kilmoyley again started the secong half in lively fashion but the forwards squandered a number of chances which were eventually cleared by the Sarsfields defence. Pat Ryan was beginning to have more of an effect on the game and Sarsfields edged six points in front. But Kilmoyley hit back with two more points from Micheal Regan and Padraig O'Sullivan, but even at this stage the Kilmoyley defence were under serious pressure. Eventually the pressure told when Sarsfields corner forward John Murphy goaled. Although Kilmoyley tried hard to the end, they did not get any closer. Kilmoyley did get the final score with a late point from Maurice Murnane. Best for Kilmoyley were Joe Walsh, Pat Deenihan, Padraig Regan, Sean Griffin, Liam Walsh, Tom Murnaneand Ollie Diggin

So it was not to be for Kilmoyley in the end, but it could have been so different if Kilmoyley had a full strength team. It finished the year on a disapointing note, but one that ended with great satisfaction for having retained the Neilus Flynn trophy. Roll on 2003 !

Kilmoyley Team

Joe Walsh, Pat Deenihan, Padraig Regan, Sean Griffin, Sean Fitzgerald, Liam Walsh, Tom Murnane, Brendan Harris, Darren Young, Ollie Diggin, Richard Gentleman, Maurice Murnane, Padraig O' Sullivan, Micheal Regan, Brendan Lawlor.

subs. Paul McCarthy for B. Lawlor