Fantastic Fitzgerald leads Kilrossanty to a famed first Munster victory
Kilrossanty's Jack Power in possession against Feenagh Kilmeedy's Diarmuid Coleman during their AIB Munster GAA Junior hurling club championship match in Lemybrien. Photos: Sean Byrne
The stand in Páirc Naomh Bríd erupted at full time on Saturday as Kilrossanty players, mentors and fans celebrated their maiden win in the Munster hurling championship. What a racket, what a result.
The clubhouse at the Lemybrien venue is decorated with photos of their glory days on the football field but space should be reserved for this unforgettable afternoon with the small ball. Thirteen points from poster boy Padraig Fitzgerald and a late save from goalkeeper Rian Hogan saw the green and gold emerge victorious in front of their own supporters.
It wasn’t just about making history, it was about making amends. 63 days earlier, Kilrossanty lost the county final to Roanmore by sixteen points but Dale Power’s men hurled with fire and fury on this occasion and knocked out last year’s provincial finalists Feenagh Kilmeedy.
With new Waterford boss Peter Queally watching on, Padraig Fitzgerald gave a clinic of point taking from right half forward. The number fifteen slotted eight from play, four frees and a 65.
“He's phenomenal,” veteran forward Tommy Prendergast said afterwards. “You saw it from day one when he was a young lad pucking around here. If I could do half the stuff he could do, I’d call myself a good hurler!”
Twin brother Seamus swept superbly in front of the full back line all afternoon while Déise Under 20 forward Jack Power delivered three points from play. In the fourth minute of injury time, with three between them, Kilrossanty netminder Rian Hogan flicked a fierce shot from Diarmuid Coleman over the bar. Coleman finished with fourteen points but it wasn’t enough. The home fans rejoiced seconds later when the final whistle sounded.
“It was heart in mouth stuff,” Prendergast admitted. “It was a super save; I'll buy him a pint later!” Hogan started in defence on county final day but got nod the between the posts on this occasion ahead of Joey Veale. Management made four changes in total as Frankie De Paor, Paul Keating, Pa Whyte and Tommy Prendergast all took the field. Moving Caoimhin Walsh back to number three and switching to Martin Dunne to number six shored up a defence that leaked 4-17 last time out.
A week on from their Limerick county final success, the Feenagh Kilmeedy fans travelled in force. Kilrossanty hunted in packs from the throw in. Eight Padraig Fitzgerald points (four from play) and two from Jack Power gave them a 10-7 advantage at the break. Their lead could have been greater but Peter Irwin denied Eoin Power from close range on 24 minutes. The margin was five at one stage but six Diarmuid Coleman white flags kept the Limerick champions in contention.
The visitors closed the gap to one on the restart, with a Coleman brace, but Fitzgerald replied with two of his own. Feenagh Kilmeedy manager Mark Keane got frustrated with a couple of the decisions and received a red card from referee Conor Doyle.
Two points from Maurice Fitzgibbon, cousin of Cork All Star Darragh, left just one between them again. On 47 minutes, a pinpoint pass from Seamus Fitzgerald found Eoin Power and he did the rest. That was the first of five unanswered points. Off left and right, Fitzgerald sent five second half shots over the green and gold spot much to the delight of the locals. The hard running Alan Dunwoody and substitute Darragh Walsh made it 18-12 with seven minutes left.
Feenagh Kilmeedy and Diarmuid Coleman weren’t finished yet. Three Coleman points brought them back within a score. Seamus Fitzgerald broke up three attacks but was harshly penalised for steps while soloing out of defence. A last minute Jack Power effort gave the leaders breathing space. Two minutes of injury time were signalled but four were played. Coleman pointed a free before he gathered a high ball around the goalmouth. Rian Hogan’s quick reflexes prevented extra time.
Next up is a trip to The Banner who have Clare All Ireland winner Shane Meehan in their ranks. “They don’t have Paudie Fitz!” one Kilrossanty supporter remarked on the way out.
Padraig Fitzgerald 0-13 (4fs, 1 65), Jack Power 0-3, Darragh Walsh, Alan Dunwoody, Eoin Power 0-1 each.
Diarmuid Coleman 0-14 (9fs), Maurice Fitzgibbon 0-2, Patrick O'Doherty 0-1.
Rian Hogan; Rian Hayes, Caoimhín Walsh, Donal Fitzgerald; Frankie De Paor, Martin Dunne, Paul Keating; Pa Whyte, Jack Power; Josh Kay, Alan Dunwoody, Padraig Fitzgerald; Eoin Power, Tommy Prendergast, Seamus Fitzgerald.
Colm Barry for Keating (20), Darragh Walsh for Kay (51).
Peter Irwin; Timmy McCarthy, Gerard O’Gorman, Dylan Murray O’Connor; David Boyce, Bryan Hannigan, Bobby Donegan; Seán Kelly, Cian O’Connor; Diarmuid Coleman, Maurice Fitzgibbon, Patrick O’Doherty; Ronan O’Connor, Ruairi O’Connor, Tomás Galvin.
John O’Gorman for O’Doherty (41), Luke Ryan for Ronan O’Connor (46), Colm Ryan for Galvin (52), Kevin Murphy for McCarthy (56).
Conor Doyle (Tipperary)
Padraig Fitzgerald put over thirteen points from seventeen attempts.
Rian Walsh’s match winning save at the death.
No public address for a Munster championship match.
Kilrossanty travel to Clare on November 16 for a provincial semi-final against The Banner.
