Low socks, high stakes: Ian Maguire’s superstition as the Barrs reclaim the crown

And so the Barrs are champions again, back on top after edging out Nemo Rangers by a single point.

It was a win built on sweat and substance, from starters to subs to Ian Maguire’s socks, which – uncharacteristically for the midfielder – were rolled low rather than the trademark hoops we’ve come to know in red and white or blue and gold.

“I was like, do you know what, I'm going to try something new,” Maguire began. “I came back, played the league final against Clon, I actually couldn't find my long socks!

“So I ended up wearing short ones. I’d be a small bit superstitious, so I kept it going then throughout the championship. There, got the reward!” He laughs when asked if the short socks will carry into county season. “I don't know yet!” Whatever the cause – superstition or sheer will – the Barrs have done it. They’ve beaten Nemo in a county final for the first time ever.

“I suppose there was this kind of proverbial monkey on our back about Nemo and stuff like that, but on a deeper level, just with Barrs football, we've had a lot of tough losses over the years. Different county finals, and this group has won three counties now, against three different opposition. I think that's just a big thing.

BATTLE

“We were under no illusions, that was an unbelievable battle there. Kick of a ball was all that was in it and we could have easily walked away as losers,” he said. “But I suppose testament to the group that we've just found ways to win.” The neutrals were spoiled, too. Even if the performance from both teams was a touch out of character.

We knew the two teams were going to go at it, and we have different styles.

“Obviously, Nemo would like to work the ball through the hand with long-distance kick-passing a bit more, and we like to run it. But I thought both teams were actually probably doing the opposite in a lot of ways!” he laughed. “But in the second half, we felt like we could play a bit more of our own football.

“We probably got a bit ahead of ourselves in the first half with the wind. I think the middle half of the second half, we really went at them, and I probably squandered about three goal chances now myself personally, but I suppose the messaging was clear.

“We were going for goal, we were going for it, and Brian got a great goal there from the kick-out, and that kicked us on.

“Our defence deserves huge credit with massive turnovers, but it was just about hanging on there towards the end, which we kind of knew, in a way, it was always going to play out that way.” The bench made the difference. It would be unfair to single out one player – but Cillian Myers Murray’s winning point will live long in Barrs folklore.

Credit to our bench there. A huge impact, straight from half-time.

“But, Cillian Murray kicking a winning point, in a county final. A fella that’s come under a lot of criticism there, at different points in his career. It’s a huge honour for him and I’m delighted.

“To be fair to Hagsy [Luke Hannigan] and [Eoin] McGreevy had a hand in it before he ever got the ball in his hands.” For Myers-Murray himself, it was the perfect redemption. Injuries have limited him all season – just one start, in the group win over Carbery Rangers – but he made his moment count.

“I’d two bad injuries, left and right hamstring,” Myers-Murray explained. “But it doesn't bother me now once we've won today!

“Enda Dennehy said it to me during the week, would you rather watch and win or play and lose? And I said you'd one million percent rather watch and win.

CONTRIBUTION

“Even when you're on the bench that's all you can think of, just come on and make a contribution. I'm just happy I could do that today.” The manner of the win was something else entirely. After an enthralling game of football, it went right down to the wire.

“It was absolutely unbelievable,” he said. “I was watching 59 minutes of it like, but it was an unbelievable game to be fair. Nemo, you know what you get with them, they're a serious football team and they always throw everything at us.

“We spoke about it during the week, weathering the storm early. We knew if we were in the game with 15-20 minutes to go, we were going to push on and win the game.

“They hit the post, which was very unlucky, and they missed the free as well just inside the arc. We could have easily been back here next Saturday night for a replay.” But it didn’t. The Barrs held firm. The socks stayed low. And St Finbarr’s have a Munster championship to look forward to.