Mark Hickey powers Kilbrittain to historic first Munster title after sweeping past Kilrossanty 

Kilbrittain: 2-17 

Kilrossanty: 0-9 

An impressive AIB Munster Club JHC final victory for Kilbrittain as they got past Kilrossanty of Waterford at Mallow on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a historic first provincial title for the West Cork outfit in an encounter where they never looked like being on the wrong side.

Joe Ryan’s team are also the first club from Carbery to win a Munster hurling crown.

They showed a level of maturity and class at crucial stages of the contest considering their opposition were also at this juncture of the competition 12 months ago where they lost to Russell Rovers.

Kilbrittain led by eight points at the interval albeit having played with the wind. They did restrict their opposition to just three points in that first half, all from frees.

They had to weather a bit of a Kilrossanty storm at the start of the second half, but the outcome was never in doubt.

The beaten team finished with 13 players after late sending-offs.

Kilbrittain were excellent from the off, landing the first three points inside six minutes through the marvellous Mark Hickey (free), Josh O’Donovan and a boomer from Aaron Holland.

Waterford senior hurler Pádraig Fitzgerald, who was well marshalled by Kilbrittain defender James Hurley, did point a free after ten minutes after Kilrossanty had registered three wides and one dropped short in the early stages. Pádraig Fitzgerald was the only scorer for his team in the first 30 minutes.

Kilbrittain regained the momentum that they had in the first few minutes with Holland doing the sweeping role brilliantly. The West Cork team landed three of the next four points with Seán Sexton’s effort the pick of those scores, 0-6 to 0-2 after 17 minutes.

Another placed ball from the accurate Hickey extended his side’s advantage. They were clinical when they did go forward with their first wide coming with ten minutes to the break.

The team in black and amber tacked on two of the next three points with Hickey converting two frees as they led 0-9 to 0-3.

Bertie Butler and a Hickey free gave Kilbrittain an 0-11 to 0-3 lead at the short whistle.

Kilrossanty had the aid of a stiff wind for the new half and a pair of frees from Pádraig Fitzgerald was just the start for the Waterford outfit.

A Séamus Fitzgerald effort, only Kilrossanty’s second scorer, reduced the deficit down to five points after 37 minutes, 0-11 to 0-6.

Pádraig Fitzgerald tacked on another free before Luke Griffin pointed for the Cork team after Philip Wall gave a great pass.

A much-needed score for Kilbrittain after 39 minutes. 

It was followed a minute later by a goal from the black and amber after Hickey billowed the back of the net after a neat team move, 1-12 to 0-7.

A pair of Hickey frees gave Kilbrittain a comfortable advantage. The teams traded white flags as Ryan’s charges were now in control all over the pitch.

A Hickey free was followed by a Butler goal with ten minutes remaining. Another outstanding team move with Wall heavily involved, 2-16 to 0-8.

The game did peter out in the closing stages with the game over as Kilbrittain could enjoy the last number of minutes.

Séamus Fitzgearld landed a long range free before his side were reduced to 14 players after a straight red for Alan Dunwoody after 58 minutes followed two minutes later by a Paul Keating second yellow card.

A Butler free was the icing on the cake for Kilbrittain.

Munster kingpins for the first time.

They will now face the Leinster winners, Clane or Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Scorers for Kilbrittain: M Hickey 1-9 (0-9 f), B Butler 1-3 (0-1 f), A Holland, T Sheehan, J O’Donovan, L Griffin, S Sexton 0-1 each.

Kilrossanty: P Fitzgerald 0-7 (0-6 f), S Fitzgerald 0-2 (0-1 f).

KILBRITTAIN: D Desmond; D Considine, J Hurley, E O’Neill; T Sheehan, A Holland, C Sheehan; S Sexton, J O’Donovan; M Hickey, L Griffin, R Crowley; C Hogan, P Wall (c), B Butler.

Subs: C Ustianowski for R Crowley (51), D Harrington for S Sexton, T Harrington for A Holland (both 56), N O’Donovan for J O’Donovan, C Kenny for M Hickey (both 62). 

KILROSSANTY: R Hogan; P Keating, D Fitzgerald (c), S Veale; M Dunne, C Walsh, J Kay; S Fitzgerald, F de Paor; P Cunningham, E Power, J Power; A Dunwoody, P Fitzgerald, D Walsh.

Subs: J Whyte for J Power (42), P Whyte for P Fitzgerald (60, inj).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).