Gaelic Games

Kilmoyley complete back-to-back hurling title wins in Kerry

Champions’ strong second-half surge proves too much for neighbours St Brendan’s

John Meyler: has guided Kilmoyley to another Kerry senior hurling title. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho
John Meyler: has guided Kilmoyley to another Kerry senior hurling title. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho
Sun Sept 19 2021 - 20:55

Kilmoyley 1-14 St Brendan’s Ardfert 1-11

Kilmoyley’s three-point win over St Brendan’s sees then returning to the top of the Kerry SHC winners list with 26 titles in total. This was also a back-to-back title win for former Cork boss John Meyler’s men and they now will have hopes of completing a three-in-a-row in 2022.

St Brendan’s played with a strong wind to their backs in the first half and led by 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time.

Kerry intercounty star Fionán Mackessy fired over two massive long-range scores and Cian Hussey and Sean Brosnan chipped in with a couple of points from play before Kevin Hanafin’s goal just before half time gave St Brendan’s a four-point interval lead.

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St Brendan’s stretched that lead to six points after 38 minutes with two Cian Hussey scores but they only managed one more point for the remainder of the game.

The introduction of full forward Adrian Royle from the bench changed the face of the game and Kilmoyley just chipped into the St Brendan’s lead with a series of scores from Daniel Collins, Jordan Brick, Paudie O’Connor and Royle.

In the 60th minute a long Tom Murnane delivery was superbly fielded by Maurice O’Connor and the county star finished to the roof of the net.

Kevin Hanafin had a late goal controversially ruled out for a square ball infringement but Kilmoyley did just about enough to merit their win in this battle of the neighbours from the same parish.

KILMOYLEY: J B O'Halloran, D Kennedy, C Savage, F McCarthy, J Godley, D Fitzell, T Murnane, P O'Connor (0-2), M Flaherty, J Brick (0-1), D Collins (0-6,5f), D Nolan (0-2), D McCarthy, R Collins, M O'Connor (1-1). Subs: R Walsh for R Collins (HT), A Royle (0-2) for D McCarthy (38),

ST BRENDAN'S: D Delaney, P O'Sullivan (0-1), K Wolff, S Leen, K Orpen, F Mackessy (0-2), D Dineen, E Leen, D Griffin, S O'Halloran P Kearney, J Egan, S Brosnan (0-2), K Hanafin (1-0), C Hussey (0-5, 3f). Subs: F Horgan for S Leen (48) B O'Connor (0-1)for K Orpen (50), E Kearney for P O'Sullivan (52), N O'Driscoll for S O'Halloran (56)

Referee: Mike Sexton (Limerick)