Lawrence Asling: Last year’s hurt is driving Kilmurry on

Kilmurry’s Lawrence Asling says last year’s McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC campaign continues to shape the team’s mindset as they prepare for another crack at the competition this season.

The Muskerry side, who went on to win the Premier Junior title in 2024, were beaten at the semi-final stage by eventual champions Ballinora last year — a defeat Asling believes has sharpened their focus ahead of a busy few months.

With only a couple of games left in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 4 Football League, Kilmurry remain in the hunt for promotion. 

Asling says the group is determined to finish strongly before turning their attention to a championship group containing Ilen Rovers, Buttevant and Glanworth.

Reflecting on last season brings mixed emotions.

“I think the Division 5 League went fairly well — we beat Gabriel Rangers in the final,” Asling says. 

“We then wanted to make our mark in the championship. We were pleased to get to the semi-final, but when you get there, you want to win it.

“The loss against Ballinora was a combination of getting used to the new rules, maybe fitness levels and other bits. But yeah, we can only put it behind us and push on now for this year.

“Ballinora are a team you can admire because they could be down ten points with five minutes to go and they’ll never give up. Their fitness levels might have been better than ours probably because we had been on the road longer."

Last year was also the first season under a new management team, with Brian Harte as manager and Daire O’Sullivan as coach — something Asling feels naturally took time.

“From Daire’s point of view, it took time to get his message across. Even now we’re closer than we were to our management this time last year. We’re building our bond and everything’s falling into place now.

“The league is going well and it’s great preparation for championship. 

We’re playing a lot of teams that might be at a higher championship grade than us, and that’s what you want — playing bigger and better teams.” 

Asling credits the club’s progress to a strong underage pipeline and the presence of experienced players who have lived through the highs and lows.

“A wave of good young underage teams coming up — very good minor and U16 teams — and a combination of them pulling it together,” he states. 

“And there are still a few older fellas with a lot of experience who’ve suffered all the defeats and been there for all the big wins.

“We’re all close friends on the panel and that does help too. It has been a number of factors really, but there’s an excellent group of footballers now in Kilmurry.” 

DEMANDING

Championship is still a bit away, but Asling knows their group will be demanding. Ilen Rovers, Buttevant and Glanworth will be difficult opponents.

“There’s no easy group nowadays. The league is great preparation for championship as you’re playing in all different weathers and pitches, so you just get as prepared as possible.

“We’ve made it clear that we can take on any team. Against Knocknagree in the Tom Creedon Cup last year, you can see we can take on the big teams. We’re not afraid of anyone.”