Cappawhite rue goal concessions after losing narrowly to Limerick champions in Munster final

Munster Junior B Hurling Series Final

Cappawhite 1-13

Kildimo Pallaskenry 3-8 

By Michael McCarthy

Kildimo Pallaskenry claimed the Michael Fitzmaurice Memorial Cup with a one-point victory over Cappawhite in the splendid surroundings of Kileedy GAA in Raheenagh. 

The scoreline was a replica of 12 months previous where Drom & Inch overcame Monaleen. 

The old adage of goals wins games was to the fore with the Limerick champions getting in for three majors, one in the first and two in the second half. 

Kildimo Pallaskenry started both halves in the ascendency and this was the basis for the victory although the game-defining moment came in injury time as Cappawhite, through Ger Ryan and Neil Clancy, found Anthony Barry in space with the goal at his mercy only for Evan Considine to execute a perfect hook on the Cappa' sharpshooter to save the day. 

The game was less than two minutes old when a delivery into the Kildimo Pallaskenry forward line was won by Adam Butler who in turn fed former Doon player Rodger Ryan for the game's opening goal. 

Cappawhite started to gain a foothold and over the next five minutes drew level through three Anthony Barry frees. Cappa's captain Tommy Coughlan was fouled twice as he busied himself around the '45. 

Kildimo went back in front from a free before Michael O'Neill again leveled things on twelve minutes. Barry and O'Donovan would trade frees before Cappawhite went into the lead, a long delivery from Neil Clancy saw Anthony Barry rise high to field the ball and he dispatched it to the net.

O'Donovan and Barry exchanged frees and the Tipp champions went in at the break two to the good 1-5 to 1-3. 

Kildimo Pallaskenry started the second period on a mission and had 1-1 on the board with a pointed free and Ryan's second goal. 

Cathal Downes was operating on the edge of the square and causing lots of trouble. Neil Clancy pointed from range before Downes scored the Limerick side's only point from play in nine minutes. 

Ryan stole in for his and Kildimo's third major and they looked in total control. Cappawhite to their credit wouldn't go away and positional changes and substitutions steadied things.

Former Tipperary All-Ireland winner Thomas Costello came on to take up marking duties on Downes with Ross Dunne going to the middle of the field. 

Ciarán Doody also came on for Tommy Coughlan. The moves had an immediate impact with Dunne pointing from a distance. 

O'Donovan would restore the five-point lead but Doody's influence was starting to show and twice he was brought down as he bore down on goal. Barry dispatched both frees along with two others and the deficit was down to one with seven minutes plus injury time remaining. 

Kildimo settled through two O'Donovan frees before Barry responded in kind on 27 and 31 minutes as it was all down to Ciaran Murphy's whistle now. Cappa tried in vain to work a score but the closest they came led to Considine’s game-winning hook. 

Fionn Brady had a sideline cut whistle wide as Kildimo hearts were in their mouths. Murphy's final whistle was met with loud cheers from the Kildimo-Pallaskenry fans. 

Rodger Ryan accepted the cup dedicating the win to 'absent' captain Cian Hayes. 

Ryan's goals were the difference between the sides while Kevin O'Connell & Gary Sheehan had fine games. 

Cathal Downes showed his class throughout. For Cappawhite Ciarán Ryan and Cathal McCarthy did their bit while Ross Dunne was the best player on show. Anthony Barry took his goal well and was excellent on frees but didn't see as many of the balls as his team would've liked. 

Both teams go forward to the All-Ireland series with Kildimo-Pallaskenry meeting Wexford champions Kilrush Askamore while Cappawhite matches up with Kilkenny and Leinster champions Three Castles on the weekend of February 22/23. 

Cappawhite: Darragh Barry; Noel Ryan, Cathal McCarthy, Ross Dunne (0-1); Michael P Buckley, Ciarán Ryan, Cian O'Carroll; Paddy Julian, Neil Clancy (0-1); Fionn Brady, Michael O'Neill (0-1), Eoghan Ryan; Pakie Barry, Anthony Barry (1-10, 0-9f, 0-1 '65), Tommy Coughlan. 

Subs used: Thomas Costello for Paddy Julian; Ciarán Doody for Tommy Coughlan; Ben White for Michael P Buckley; Ger Ryan P for Michael O'Neill.

Kildimo Pallaskenry: John Chawke; Séamus Stokes, Evan Considine, Ciarán Downes; Callum Callaghan, Kevin O'Connell, Gary Sheehan; Marc O'Shea, Luke Guinane; Keel Moloney, Cathal Downes (0-1), Conor McMahon; Rodger Ryan (3-0), Adam Butler, Aaron O'Donovan (0-7f). 

Subs used: Dylan Corrigan for Adam Butler; Matthew Lucey for Callum Callaghan; Kieran O'Brien for Luke Guinane; Dylan Moloney for Keel Moloney.

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Cork)