Kilmurry come good to see off Michael Cusack's in Munster JFC quarter-final 

Kilmurry: 1-14 

Michael Cusack’s: 1-11 

Kilmurry recovered from a slow start to advance to the last four of the AIB Munster Club JFC after edging past Clare side Michael Cusack’s at a damp Cloughduv on Saturday afternoon.

The recently crowned Cork Premier JFC winners took a bit of time to get going in this quarter-final, two weeks on from county glory after defeating Canovee in the final. 

In a match spoilt by difficult weather conditions, it was a game of two halves, with Kilmurry making the most of their possession and quality after the break.

The Mid-Cork outfit trailed by six points early on, but they didn't panic, and showed character and composure to first of all reel in their opposition and then to go in front and stay in front. 

Liam Wall was the standout performer as he kicked 0-8 (0-4 f), but it was a really strong panel effort by Kilmurry to get over the line against a brave Michael Cusack's team. 

After losing the last two provincial deciders, the team in green and gold look well placed to at least make another final. They will face Tipperary side Cashel King Cormacs in the last four in two weeks’ time at a Tipp venue.

Michael Cusack’s had a strong wind advantage in the first half and were full value for their lead early on. The Clare side kicked 1-3 without reply. Their goal coming after five minutes when Seaghán Brosnan finished superbly to the roof of the net.

Kilmurry were flat in the opening stages but got their first score from their first attack when Wall converted a free after seven minutes.

The sides exchanged the next four points but Kilmurry were slowly growing into the game roared on by the home crowd. Kilmurry also had a goal chance during those flurry of scores but Kyle Kelleher’s well struck shot was saved by Michael Cusack’s goalkeeper Joe Copley.

Rory Duggan cut the deficit down to four points before Cormac Linehan’s team were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes as it was deemed Hugh Kelly over-carried the ball in the square. Tomás Collins stepped up and sent the netminder Copley the wrong way, 1-5 to 1-4.

Michael Cusack’s responded with two quick points but Kilmurry kicked the last two points of the half through Wall, one which was a free. They also had a goal chance in between those efforts but Lawrence Asling’s shot didn’t find the back of the net. 1-7 to 1-6 at half-time.

The Clare champions landed the first score of the new half two minutes in through Seán McNamara but Kilmurry had wind advantage for the second-half and points from Alexander Asling and then Wall drew the sides level for the first time.

Kilmurry were awarded a second penalty after 35 minutes for a foot block. Collins was the man to take it again but his chipped effort went over the bar, 1-9 to 1-8.

It was all Kilmurry and four points on the trot gave the green and gold a 1-13 to 1-8 advantage with ten minutes remaining. John O’Mullane and Wall with two each.

The Muskerry side did enough to see out the game even if Michael Cusack’s kicked three of the last four points.

Kilmurry’s point coming from impressive sub Joe O’Mullane who also could have got a goal in added time but his effort hit the post. Kyle Kelleher did receive a black card right at the end but it didn’t matter.

Scorers for Kilmurry: L Wall 0-8 (0-4 f), T Collins 1-1 pen, John O’Mullane 0-2, A Asling, R Duggan, Joe O’Mullane 0-1 each.

Michael Cusack’s: S McNamara 0-8 (0-6 f), S Brosnan 1-0, D McMahon 0-2 (0-1 f), J Droney 0-1.

KILMURRY: J McDonnell; W Ronan (c), Lloyd Asling, A O’Mahony; B Hinchion, T Collins, A Asling; K Kelleher, James O’Mullane; L Wall, Lawrence Asling, R Duggan; R Leahy, John O’Mullane, J McGinn.

Subs: Joe O’Mullane for Lloyd Aisling (36), O Keane for A O’Mahony (47), P Berhanu for R Leahy (50), D Linehan for J McGinn (55), Lloyd Asling for John O’Mullane (58, inj).

Michael Cusack’s: J Copley; R Cassidy, H Kelly, R McMahon; K Fawle, C McGann, T Roche; D McMahon, J Fawle; T Geoghegan, J McGann, S McNamara (c); J Droney, O McNamara, S Brosnan.

Subs: P Taffe for J Fawle (h-t), C Droney for S Brosnan (36), J Clancy for K Fawle (42), D Tobin for R Cassidy (50), C Fahy for R McMahon (60).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick).