Cill na Martra manager Morgan O’Sullivan thrilled to have got the win over St Finbarr's

On a beautiful Sunday morning at Togher St Finbarr’s and Cill na Martra were involved in a crucial McCarthy insurance Senior FL clash that had huge implications on their division one status.

There were so many teams that could actually lose out and in the end despite Cill na Martra winning 1-11 to 0-10 both sides managed to avoid the dreaded drop.

By virtue of other results Douglas and Eire Og lost out but for the Cill na Martra manager Morgan O’Sullivan getting a win was a mighty relief.

“There was a real atmosphere with both teams well supported on a great day for football and with the league so tight and nobody quite sure who was going to lose out this game was bound to bring the fans out un numbers,” said O’Sullivan.

The pressure on clubs in fielding teams like St Finbarr’s for league games was acknowledged by the Cill na Martra chief.

“The Barrs are a brilliant club that play at a high level in both hurling and football so I don’t envy their challenges,” added Morgan.

Despite going into the last game with the pressure of relegation the Cill na Martra manager was happy with the campaign.

“We were very much up and down in our league games hence a result was needed to survive whilst depending on other results but I like to be positive with my players and yes we have learned a bit more about our squad.” 

Numbers will always be difficult in a small community like Cill na Martra.

“I am not making excuses but we are a small community in comparison to other clubs and numbers can be sparse, but we get as much as we can from the lads as their commitment is incredible.” 

Cill na Martra will be involved in the Senior A championship and have a competitive group to deal with come August.

“We have our hands full with Newmarket, Carbery Rangers and O’Donovan Rossa and we will have our hands full with all these teams.” The curse of emigration has hit Cill na Martra for this campaign.

“We have five players that started last year gone out of the country and I do know many clubs have the same problem but with our minimal size we possibly feel it more than others.” 

O’Sullivan has embraced the new rules this season as he believes the game is better for spectators.

“Without doubt the new rules have been great for all clubs and you can see all games at the top level are very competitive to the wire.” Cork football both at club and intercountry level is on an upward trend.

“The result against Donegal shows the progress that Cork are making at the top tier and then to see our Minor team reach an All- Ireland final augurs well for the future.” 

One could sense there was disappointment in the Barrs camp following this latest defeat with selector Ian Keller reflecting on the game.

“We are probably down 20 players and at this level that’s tough but on the other side of the coin credit to the lads they tried hard against a good football team in Cill na Martra,” said Keller.

The recent debate about dual clubs has resurfaced in recent weeks and Keller was rather philosophical in summing up their stance.

“Dual clubs are always under pressure and for us we have a number of players involved at intercounty level and picking up injuries in both codes is something we have had to deal with all season.

“I cannot be too critical of the players we have available because they have given their all throughout the season and we just faded a bit in the last few games.” 

Next up for the Barrs is the Senior football championship and Keller believes that will be the focus in the coming weeks.

“We have Carrigaline, Douglas and Mallow all tough games and obviously in the next few weeks all teams will be getting players back from holidays and other commitments so we will hopefully find the right balance come championship time.”