Premier JFC final preview: Kilmurry v St Finbarr's

TOMORROW: Bon Secours Hospital Premier Junior Football Championship final: Kilmurry v St Finbarr’s, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3pm  

THIS inaugural championship has been an outstanding success and the first season comes to its conclusion tomorrow barring a draw.

While many people might be somewhat surprised by the Barrs run to the decider, Kilmurry’s path has had an air of predictability about it given they were favourites to win the county before the start of the campaign.

St Finbarr’s will take heart from another second team winning the hurling version of the premier junior grade two weeks ago when Erin’s Own put in a polished performance to defeat a strong St Catherine’s side in the final. The Barrs will be going into this one as underdogs, but I don’t think it’s something that will bother them given they hadn’t been fancied in many games in this campaign. There is enough experience and cuteness within the squad with the likes of Denis O’Brien, Eoin Comyns and Michael Shields around.

They love their football out in Kilmurry and unbridled celebrations following their county JAFC success in 2022 was a long time coming. The Muskerry club had gone 36 years without claiming a county title at adult level and tomorrow they could claim their second in just under 12 months. In a way it’s not a surprise that they are on course for a second consecutive crown. There is hardly a massive step up from junior A up to premier junior.

Kilmurry were flawless in the championship group stages winning all three games against Millstreet, Kinsale and St James’ respectively which in turn secured a direct route to the semi-final. A four week gap to the last four could have been a problem given they were playing Cobh who eked out a three-point win over Cullen in the quarter-final. It was a repeat of the 2022 county JAFC final and it was once again the Mid-Cork side who came out on top, this time by two points.

Kilmurry’s team is very settled which really picks itself. Goalkeeper Jason McDonnell and full-back Kevin Barrett add experience and leadership in what is largely a young defence. Tomás Collins, William Ronan and Brian Hinchion have impressed thus far in the back line.

Seán Warren has played an integral role since his return from a long-term injury, Liam Wall pulls the strings up front while Joe Ryan, who is home for a short period from Australia, is a very good footballer.

St Finbarr’s have gone under the radar this season mainly because it’s their second team and they were drawn in a very difficult championship group stage. Despite all that, the Togher outfit won all three group matches against Cobh, St Michael’s reserves and Buttevant to book a semi-final place. The manner of their 0-10 to 0-8 triumph in the last four against Urhan would have been very much satisfying for them. Comyns’ experience in midfield was key.

It was just a two-point win, but it was a comfortable victory from the Barrs with the experienced heads of O’Brien and Shields proving crucial. Adam Lyne and Alan McCarthy were key figures in defence. Olan Murphy, O’Brien, Shields and Adrian Murphy provide the firepower. Ciarán Doolan came off the bench in that Urhan win to good effect and will play a key role tomorrow.