Can the green and gold go one better?
The Kilrossanty squad that have charted a course through the Munster Club JHC. Photo: Noel Browne
For the second year running, Kilrossanty find themselves in the provincial decider against Cork opposition - but this time, it feels different for the green and gold.
Maurice Dee’s men head to Mallow off the back of a statement victory versus Cahir last time out and should they reproduce the performance levels that they showed in the second half last time out, it’s hard to envision a scenario where they don’t leave with silverware.
The green and gold were somewhat overawed by the sense of occasion at this juncture last year when they lost out to eventual All-Ireland runners-up Russell Rovers.
This time around, they marched on to Munster as convincing county champions - the only side to beat Ballygunner this year for good record - and it’s no longer uncharted waters whilst harbouring an underdog tag.
If anything, this team seems to revel in the sense of occasion and arrive when it matters most, though in fairness - the same can be said of the opposition.
The West Cork side produced a superb showing to come good in the second half of their semi-final against Knockaderry in extremely tough weather conditions, whilst beating Ballygarvan and Glen Rovers in Cork were impressive feats beforehand.
They were once a senior club in the Rebel County and have always punched above their weight - though like Kilrossanty, a Munster title has eluded them up to now.
Mark Hickey will be the chief source of danger, while the likes of Luke Griffin, Conor Hogan and captain Philip Ryan will also require a lot of attention.
That said, with respect to Kilbrittain - it’s highly doubtful that they have a player as good as Padraig Fitzgerald to call upon. The county man was immense with 2-8 against Cahir last time out - 2-4 of which came from play - and at his best, he’s simply unplayable.
Brothers Seamus and Donal are key cogs from the defensive aspect, while Alan Dunwoody has also found a rich vein of goalscoring form which will make him hard to stop.
Kilbrittain will be likely to afford Padraig most of their attention but that could well prove an achilles heel if Dunwoody, Jack Power and company can maintain their current form.
The support for Kilrossanty will no doubt be off the charts, as the last few Saturdays in Lemybrien have been a complete cauldron for the visiting opposition.
It would mean so much to the club to win a provincial title - as I’m sure it would to Kilbrittain too, but Kilrossanty have improved hugely from getting to this point last year and there’s a sense of unfinished business.
The last three times a Waterford club has faced a Cork side in the junior showpiece, The Rody Nealon Cup has ended up on Leeside.
Kilrossanty to end the eight-year drought on Saturday and the opposite of drought to sweep the village in the weeks which follow.
