Kilmihil 1-9  -  St Finbarr’s, Cork 0-8 at St Michael ‘s Park, Kilmihil

IT’S true that the ‘Barrs are not what they once were - the club whose golden period came from the mid ‘70s through to the mid ‘80s when they won five All-Ireland senior club titles, three in football, two in hurling.
Still though, on past-pedigree and past performances alone they represented a huge challenge for Kilmihil on Sunday in this provincial semi-final.
And, in slaying a mighty name like the ‘Barrs, Kilmihil did what many a great Clare club team has failed to do in the past.
The storied Shams of the ‘70s, Kilmihil themselves in ‘80, Doonbeg in ‘82 and Kilkee in ‘84 all fail the St Finbarr’s test - not Kilmihil’s ‘08 vintage thanks to a magnificent display on their home patch.
This was about true grit as much as anything else - when it came to the crunch Kilmihil showed greater determination than the ‘Barrs. They wanted it more and some heroic defensive work near the end secured safe passage into the Munster final against Kerry side St Michael’s Foilmore.
It was what Kilmihil deserved - theirs was a genuine team performance in which everyone played a part, while they also had some stand-out players in every line.
Conor Crowley at corner-back; the captain Mark O’Connell whose inspirational value to those around him is growing by the game; the selfless work of Shane Mangan in the middle; Paul Reidy in the half-forward line and goal-scoring hero David Ryan in the full-forward line.
It was Ryan’s decisive strike ten minutes into the second half that put Kilmihil in the dreamland of being seven points ahead with 20 minutes left on the clock.
It was a long 20 minutes as Kilmihil retreated into defensive mode to protect their lead and it wasn’t until Mark O’Connell lifted the siege with a point in the 61st minute that their final place was secure.
However, even allowing for some nervy moments and a disallowed goal for the ‘Barrs seven minutes from time, Kilmihil were full value for the four-point win.
The win was built on a purple patch either side of half-time when Kilmihil scored 1-5 without reply.  Despite have the majority of possession in the early stages of the game when playing with the first half wind, it was the ‘Barrs who looked more comfortable when it came to converting scoring opportunities.
They led early on thanks to a fine Ronan Curran point, but two points from Paul Reidy by the sixth minute  gave Kilmihil the initiative.
For long stretches of the half it looked as if Kilmihil would live to regret a series of poor wides, four in all that threatened to come between them and an interval lead.
However, with half-time approaching and Kilmihil finally came good to turn a 0-4 to 0-3 deficit into a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead. Paul Reidy kick-started it all with a beautiful point from play in the 27th minute - he then added a point a minute later before Timmy Ryan thumped over a great free from 52 yards out.
You knew that Kilmihil now really believed and the thunderous applause they received when going to the dressing room at half-time must have seemed like an injection of pure adrenaline.
Their response was a fast start to the second half thanks to a Paul Reidy 14-yard free and then another free from distance by Timmy Ryan.
They now led by double scores and had a Munster final apperance within touching distance. Then when David Ryan goaled in the 40th minute, it must have seemed like they were there.
The goal was a product of persistence and a little bit of luck - James Egan and Paul Reidy battled for balls they had no right to win, while David Ryan then gladly lapped up a mis-hit shot from Philip Ryan and slammed to the net.
The ‘Barrs were shellshocked, but still went about trying to retrieve a desperate situation in the closing 20 minutes. Their revival was kickstarted by a Fionán Murray free in the 44th minute, before centre forward Rory Leahy landed a monster free from his hands in the 49th minute.
The goal they needed seemed to have arrived in the 53rd minute when Murray’s low drive across the face of Jonathon O’Sullivan’s goal was slammed to the fly-kicked to the net by Ian Leahy.
However, Kilmihil breathed a huge sigh of relief when Ger Casey, after consulting with his umpires, adjudged Leahy to have been in the small square before the ball.
It represented a nail in the ‘Barrs’ coffin, even though two pointed frees from Roy Leahy reduced the margin to a goal with five minutes remaining.
Then the final nail was driven in the ‘Barrs’ challenge one minute into injury time when Mark O’Connell, who stormed forward all afternoon, lofted over a great point from play after taking a quick free from Timmy Ryan.
It was fitting really that O’Connell had the final say.

Won and Lost
KILMIHIL showed a great hunger than the ‘Barrs on this day - they were more committed in the tackle than a ‘Barrs team that played as if they expected it to happen for them. Kilmihil made things happen for themselves, while they also rode their luck when they needed to.

Man of the Match
Mark O’Connell (Kilmihil)
THE former countyman gave another barnstorming display. He really took the fight to the favourites when carrying the ball with real conviction in both halves. His score at the end produced the biggest cheer of the day.

Match Details

Kilmihil Johnathon O’Sullivan, Conor Crowley, Derot Haugh, Shane Egan, Karl Downes, Mark O’Connell (Capt) (0-1), Derek O’Connell, Shane Mangan, Philip Ryan, Paul Reidy (0-6, 4f), Alan Normoyle, Timmy Ryan (0-2), Colm O’Gorman, David Ryan (1-0), James Egan. Subs Enda O’Halloran for James Egan, Keith Considine for Philip Ryan

St Finbarr’s Kevin McTernan, Glen O’Connor, Michael Shields, Ross O’Dwyer, Colin Lyons, Michael Ryan, Rory McCarthy, Jim O’Donoghue (0-1), Aidan O’Shea, Colin O’Sullivan, Roy Leahy (0-2f), Eoin Keane, Ian Leahy (0-1), Ronan Curran (0-1), Fionán Murray (0-2f). Subs Joe Coyle for O’Shea

Match Official Ger Casey (Kerry)

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