Cormac Linehan steps down as Kilmurry boss after hugely successful stint

Cormac Linehan has made the difficult decision to step down as Kilmurry manager in the past week.

The coach, David Drummond, and selector Fr Michael Kelleher, have also departed the set-up.

The Muskerry club went through a hugely successful period in their proud history under Linehan’s stewardship in his three seasons over the team. He took over in the depths of winter in 2021 as the green and gold were still licking their wounds after a quarter-final exit to Aghinagh in the Ross Oil Muskerry JAFC.

It had been 2017 since Kilmurry last tasted divisional success when they headed into the 2022 campaign, but that wait would come to an end after gaining revenge on Aghinagh in the Mid-Cork final. It did result in promotion to the new Premier Junior football grade due to the restructuring of the grades on Leeside.

Kilmurry didn’t rest on their laurels though, a comfortable victory over Cobh in the County JAFC decider ended a 36-year wait for a first adult county championship. In that season, they also won the Muskerry Division 1 league title. 

The Mid-Cork men would continue their upward trajectory in 2023 with promotion from the County Division 6 football league, but did lose out on the title after being defeated by Buttevant in the final. 

Kilmurry would reach another final that year. The inaugural Premier JFC was in its first season, and history was going to be made regardless, but a second successive county triumph for Kilmurry was taken away from them late on by St Finbarr’s second team. Sub Cian Madden goaled in injury time for the Togher outfit as they prevailed by a point.

Everything would come together though in 2024, as the green and gold finally got their hands on the Premier JFC trophy. They were on the right side of fine margins this time as they beat local rivals Canovee by a point in the final.

There would be an early Christmas present for the people of Kilmurry after they defeated Firies in the AIB Munster JFC decider in Rathkeale. The win over the team from the Kingdom was third time's a charm having lost the previous two provincial finals.

Kilmurry became the first team at Junior level to represent Cork in three Munster campaigns on the trot. The memorable season would end in disappointment though last month after a heartbreaking loss to Naomh Pádraig on penalties in the All-Ireland semi-final. 

In what was a rollercoaster of a game, Linehan’s troops did look likely winners on more than one occasion, but a hugely controversial penalty was given to the team from Donegal deep into extra time. 

It was dispatched to the net, but Kilmurry had the composure and character to go down the pitch and draw level when ice-cool youngster Denis O’Mullane slotted over an awkward enough free. A trip to Croke Park was ended when Kilmurry lost 3-1 on penalties.

Linehan took his time to make a decision on his future and after three exhausting seasons, he has now called time on his reign.

Brian Harte, who managed Kilmurry to Mid-Cork and county glory at U21 B level last year, is set to take over as Kilmurry rejoin the Intermediate ranks this year for the first time in over 20 years.

Kilmurry’s first competitive game of the new season is at home to Mitchelstown on Sunday, March 2 at 11.30am in the County Division 5 league. In the IAFC group stage later in the year, they will face St Vincent’s, Ilen Rovers and Boherbue.