Kilcummin side have pedigree
Star performer: Kilcummin star Gary O'Leary in action for the Kingdom's minor footballers against Limerick's James O'Meara during this year's Munster championship Credit: PICTURE: DIARMUID GREENE / SPORTSFILE
Wednesday September 01 2010
AFTER a tremendous run up the juvenile ranks with this particular team that saw them claim titles in both East Kerry as well as county level, Kilcummin make their debut appearance in a county minor final.
It's a novel experience for the club in this their centenary year but their manager Tony Sugrue is well aware that tonight's final will be a totally new experience for his players.
" This is a different proposition when take on the likes of South Kerry and the big question we're asking amongst ourselves is can we rise to it, which is something that we're all hopeful that we can do," the Kilcummin trainer said.
It looked like it would be a very short year for the East Kerry club following their defeat to West Kerry in the opening round but their victory over Dr Crokes in the losers' round reinvigorated the club to the extent it has brought them all the way to the final tonight.
"St Kierans in the quarter-final was the big turning point for us, we were lucky with getting a few vital scores straight after half-time but we gained massive confidence after defeating the defending champions. I thought we showed tremendous character in coming through against the Legion after losing such a big lead and recovering from an injurytime goal to send the game into extra-time and win by four points," he said.
Sugrue knows, however, the ominous challenge that awaits his side.
"On their day South Kerry can take teams apart as is the case with a lot of the other Divisional Teams such is their strength in this competition. However there's no great expectation on our players because it's been an achievement in itself to get here and we're just hopefully that they will rise to the occasion in the final."
The Kilcummin manager sees midfield as being the huge battleground tonight. "If we can break even there and stop the ball going into their forwards then I feel we have a chance."
- Jason O'Connor
