IAFC: Kilmurry book final berth with impressive win over Boherbue

Kilmurry 1-19 (1-5-9) 

Boherbue 2-7 (2-2-3) 

Kilmurry’s hopes of another county title remain alive and kicking after an eye-catching display in defeating Boherbue in the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC semi-final at Mourneabbey on Friday night.

The Muskerry side won the County JAFC and Premier JFC crowns in 2022 and 2024 respectively, and will now meet either Buttevant or Adrigole, who face each other on Saturday.

Five two-pointers set them on their way in the opening 30 minutes. Wind-assisted Kilmurry were nine points to the good at half-time and it was the same margin when all was said and done, but their second-half performance was equally impressive against the wind, even if it did ease slightly.

They had quality, composure and a great understanding of each other. They had a greater spread of scorers, with seven in total compared to Boherbue’s two, while John Corkery finished with 1-6 for the losing team.

Kilmurry were aided by a very strong wind, which had a massive bearing on the game.

Corkery got Boherbue up and running with a fisted effort, but Kilmurry replied with five scores on the trot, including two-pointers from Liam Wall and Ruadhán Ó Curraoín.

David O’Connor landed a free for his side, but another Ó Curraoín orange flag opened up a 0-9 to 0-2 cushion after 14 minutes.

Denis O’Mullane tacked on a free before their opponents goaled after 20 minutes. David O’Connor planted the ball into the net after a great run.

The wind was a huge advantage and Kilmurry had no shortage of long-range kickers.

Both Lawrence Asling and Wall kicked two-pointers as Kilmurry led 0-14 to 1-2 at half-time.

Boherbue had the wind advantage in the second half and made the best possible start with a Corkery goal after David O’Connor’s shot hit the crossbar.

Kilmurry remained composed, however, and points from Denis O’Mullane (free) and Kyle Kelleher gave them a 0-16 to 2-2 cushion after 39 minutes.

Ó Curraoín was also unlucky not to score a goal.

Corkery converted a 45, but Ó Curraoín did get his green flag 12 minutes from time from close range.

The impressive Seán O’Leary fisted over before a Corkery two-pointer left Boherbue trailing 1-17 to 2-5 with six minutes remaining.

There would be no dramatic finale. Kilmurry added two quick-fire points before a Corkery two-point free showed his side’s battling qualities.

Kilmurry were deserving winners, though. 

Scorers for Kilmurry: R Ó Curraoín 1-4 (2 2pt), L Wall 0-5 (2 2pt), D O’Mullane 0-4 (0-3 f), L Asling (1 2pt), K Kelleher 0-2 each, James O’Mullane, S O’Leary 0-1 each.

Boherbue: J Corkery 1-6 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 45), D O’Connor 1-1 (0-1 f).

KILMURRY: J McDonnell; O Keane, W Ronan (c), B Hinchion; A Asling, James O’Mullane, S O’Leary; K Kelleher, D Cahalane; R Duggan, D O’Mullane, L Asling; L Wall, R Ó Curraoín, M O’Leary.

Subs: T Collins for D Cahalane (h-t), John O’Mullane for R Duggan (56), J Ryan for R Ó Curraoín (58).

BOHERBUE: Daniel Murphy; E Moynihan, M O'Gorman, J Daly; D Moynihan, K Cremin, D Buckley (c); L Moynihan, P Daly; B O’Gorman, G O’Sullivan, C Ducey; Alan O’Connor, J Corkery, D O’Connor.

Subs: CJ O’Sullivan for B O’Gorman (24), Diarmuid Murphy for D Moynihan (28-FT, temp), D O’Sullivan for P Daly (38), A Murphy for C Ducey, D Sheehan for M O’Gorman (both 50), Anthony O’Connor for E Moynihan (53).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).