O'Dwyer helps Kilmurry earn final spot as Stradbally pay penalty
Monday November 23 2009
Kilmurry/Ibrickane of Clare booked their place in the Munster club football final with a three- point win over Stradbally of Waterford in Dungarvan yesterday.
Stradbally were probably the architects of their own downfall in this game, played in tricky wet conditions, as not only did they miss a first-half penalty, but they also finished the game with 13 men following the sending offs of Shane Lannon and John Hearne.
Kilmurry/Ibrickane played with the wind in the first half and led by 0-5 to 0-0 after 20 minutes with three of their points coming from Odhran O'Dwyer frees. The other players on the scoresheet in this period were corner-forward Noel Downes and centre-back Enda Coughlan.
Stradbally did not open their account until the 21st minute when Niall Curran tapped over a close range free. Rangy centre-forward Shane Aherne added another free for the Waterford champions to double their tally with two minutes left on the clock. However, O'Dwyer hit back to leave his side leading 0-7 to 0-2 just before the interval.
The Kilmurry/Ibrickane defence were then incensed in first-half injury time when Stradbally were awarded a penalty for an apparent foot block.
Justice was probably done when Shane Aherne sent his kick well wide. Ian McInerney opened the second-half scoring with a well-taken free for the Clare champions but from then on it was virtually all Stradbally.
Despite dominating possession though the Waterford side could not find a way past the Kilmurry/ Ibrickane defence, despite Curran adding a couple of frees. Strad-bally's lot was not helped when corner-forward Shane Lannon was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 54th minute with John Hearne following soon after, receiving a straight red card.
In the end Kilmurry/Ibrickane held on for a victory which puts them into the final for the second year in a row where they will be anxious to make amends for last year's defeat to Dromcollogher /Broadford of Limerick.
Scorers -- Kilmurry/Ibrickane: O O'Dwyer 0-5 (5f), I McInerney 0-2, N Downes, E Coughlan 0-1 each. Stradbally: N Curran 0-3 (3f), S Aherne 0-2 (2f), P Weldon 0-1.
Kilmurry/Ibrickane -- D O'Brien, D Hickey, M Killeen, M McMahon, S Hickey, E Coughlan, D Callinan, P O'Connor, Peter O'Dwyer, M Hogan, I McInerney, S Moloney, M O'Dwyer, O O'Dwyer, N Downes Subs: E Talty for N Downes, J Daly for O O'Dwyer, Paul O'Dwyer for M Hogan.
Stradbally -- O Costello, T Walsh, K Coffey, T Costello, T Grey, E Rockett, A Doyle, J Coffey, J Hearne, T Connors, S Aherne, S Cunningham, N Curran, R Aherne, S Lannon Subs: P Weldon for T Connors, P Doyle for A Doyle.
Ref -- B Tyrell (Tipperary)
Irish Independent
