Kilmurry coach David Drummond: We would have liked a sterner test, but we did our job 

Kilmurry coach David Drummond admits he would have liked his side to have had a tougher test as the Muskerry team advanced to another provincial final at the weekend.

The team in green and gold defeated Cashel King Cormacs of Tipperary on a scoreline of 4-23 to 1-2 in the AIB Munster Club JFC semi-final at Fethard Town Park on Saturday afternoon. Kilmurry are into the decider for a third season on the trot, as they look to make it third time lucky after defeats in the previous two campaigns.

Drummond guided Kilmurry on Saturday in the absence of manager Cormac Linehan.

“The win was facile in the end,” the Kerry native said post-match after the 30-point victory.

“We would have obviously wanted a better test in a semi-final, but Cashel King Cormacs have their focus fully on the hurling final next weekend against Watergrasshill. That was telling from the very start of this game. The venue was changed from New Inn to here and that didn’t have any impact on us. 

"We got notified during the week that the match could potentially be moved to here. You would always be nervous when you play on 4G pitches of picking up injuries. Unfortunately now, we have picked up one or two injuries that will need to be assessed.

“We went about the game though in a professional manner, it was a professional showing from us. I thought we were a bit sluggish alright in the first half. I thought Cashel King Cormacs defended reasonably well in the first half, they packed their defence and it was hard to get scores at stages in that half. 

"We left a lot of scores behind us too. In the second half then we were more composed and spread it wide and our finishing improved. We are pleased from that point of view but the intensity wasn’t there if you know what I mean.

“As I said at the start, we would have liked a more sterner challenge, but we didn’t get it. We did our job anyway. That’s the nature of the beast and we will drive on now and prepare for the final.” 

The decider will be against Kerry opposition once more in the shape of Firies in two weeks' time. Kilmurry don’t need any reminding that they have lost to teams from the Kingdom in the last two Munster finals, Fossa in 2022 and Listowel Emmets in 2023.

“It would be nice to make it third time lucky in the final. We know that the task will be huge. Firies are the champions of the third tier in Kerry, Kilmurry are the champions of the fifth tier in Cork, so there’s a bit of a gap there.

“We will look forward to it. We will take on the challenge head on and hopefully we will do the business. I wouldn’t know a whole pile about Firies. I did come up against them when I was playing with Sneem/Derrynane. We will do our research now. Hopefully the experience of the last two years will stand to us. If lady luck is with us, we might come out on top.” Drummond concluded.