St Michael's have a point to prove after previous county final disappointments

ST Michael’s will be hoping to put the disappointment of losing three finals in six years behind them when they take on Fermoy in this Sunday’s Cork County PIFC decider at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In those three finals, against Mallow last season, Carrigaline in 2015 and St Vincent’s in 2012, the deficit at the final whistle was just a point, 1-17 to 1-16 last season, 0-12 to 0-11 in 2015 and a similar scoreline in 2012.

So it has very much been a case of heartbreak in abundance for the Mahon based club but that will all be forgotten on Sunday afternoon if they can overcome the challenge of Fermoy who were beaten themselves two years ago by Kiskeam.

St Michael’s had to overcome three of the more fancied teams in the competition to reach the final, Macroom, Newmarket and Éire Óg but now comes the ultimate test against a side that will be hoping to erase their own heartbreak.

St Michael's Club PRO Michael Morrissey told the Evening Echo that it’s all systems go again for Sunday.

“It is, we have endured a fair bit of disappointment down the years but this a club with a lot of character and endurance that has always been able to come back.

“We lost three senior finals in a row in the ‘70s but that’s past now and it’s all about this one game against Fermoy. It’s always difficult to come back from a final defeat but football is very strong in our club.

“We have a minor final on Monday night against Nemo Rangers, our juniors had a good year too so you could say there’s always a new batch coming along.’’ 

He’s expecting another huge challenge from Fermoy on Sunday.

“Of course, we are. They have lost a few finals too so there will be an equal determination on their part.

“They are in the final on merit too but, hopefully, we’ll be able to get over the line this time.

“We had a good few lads involved with the Blackrock senior hurlers and intermediate hurlers and they will be hoping to make up for their disappointment in losing a semi-final to Midleton and last Sunday to Ballincollig.

“The club here is definitely going in a very good direction, plenty of lads coming through but a win on Sunday would really put us in a great place.

“We know the awful feeling of losing finals and we want to erase all that this time.’’