Late Late Show earns Gneeveguilla O' Donoghue Cup
Gneeveguilla 1-11 Kilcummin 0-12

With twelve minutes remaining in this enthralling O' Donoghue Cup Final, at
Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on November 2nd, Kilcummin seemed to be on
their way to an historic victory.

Michael McCarthy had put his side three points clear in the 45th minute
after Ger Cremin had tipped his powerful drive over the crossbar, and when
Sean B. Doherty added another three minutes later, Gneeveguilla were in deep
trouble.

However, it was then that Gneeveguilla began to play, and John Paul Brosnan
started the comeback with a good score.
Gneeveguilla substitute Liam Murphy, whose introduction had a huge bearing
on the game, added another and this game was back in the melting pot.
It was all Gneeveguilla at this stage, and further points from the
outstanding Michael Moyninan, and Ronan McAuliffe (free) had the sides level
amid tremendous excitement.

Liam Murphy added two more points which saw Gneeveguilla overcome a 4 point
defecit, and turn it into a two point victory in the space of six minutes.
Gneeveguilla got the perfect start when Michael Moynihan goaled in
the fourth minute, the same player adding a point a minute later.
Kilcummin improved as the half wore on, and good scores by Ben Brosnan saw
the sides on level terms by the 15th minute.

The second quarter was very even, and Ben Brosnan's shot was tipped over the
bar by the outstanding Ger Cremin in the 25th minute, and after that Michael
O' Connor added another.

Gneeveguilla fought back to tie the scores at the interval, 1-4 to 0-7.
Kilcummin looked the better side during the third quarter, but Cha Doherty
saved them in the 42nd minute when he brought off a great save from John
Paul Brosnan to deny Gneeveguilla a goal.
Two points up, Michael McCarthy's goal bound shot could have given Kilcummin
the title, but Cremins heroics between the posts ensured that Gneeveguilla
could mount that grand-stand finish thet secured them their 4th title.

Scorers:
Gneeveguilla: Michael Moynihan 1-2. Liam Murphy & Ronan McAuliffe 0-3 each.
John Paul Brosnan 0-2. Fergus McAuliffe 0-1.

Kilcummin:
D.J.Fleming & Ben Brosnan 0-3 each. Michael McCarthy 0-2. Sean B. O'Doherty,
Michael O' Connor, and Seanie O' Leary 0-1 each.

Referee: Charlie Farrelly contributed enormously, to what was a very
enjoyable game.

Man Of The Match:
Michael Moynihan (Gneeveguilla) was named "Man of the Match" at a function in the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney following the O'Donoghue Cup Final.

Is Mise
Gearóid Ó Gealbháin
Cathaoirleach

Both Kilcummin and Gneeveguilla have played three games each on the way to this unique O’Donoghue Cup Final, the first final since 1989 that neither Dr. Crokes nor Glenflesk are involved in.
Gneeveguilla had it all their own way against Cordal in the first round and after being all square at the end of the first quarter the winners led by 8 points to 4 at the break. With Ronan McAuliffe and Liam Murphy scoring 13 points between them Gneeveguilla coasted home in the second half on a 0-19 to 1-7 scoreline.

Against Glenflesk in the Quarter Finals, Gneeveguilla enjoyed a slender 7 points to 6 lead after an even first half, and despite having Ollie Favier sent off Glenflesk were level with ten to go. A great point by Michael Murphy and two late goals from Michael Moynihan saw Gneeveguilla win by 2-9 to 0-8.

In the semi final with neighbours Rathmore, Gneeveguilla led by 3 to 1 when Tom O’Sullivan was sent to the line and despite going 6 to 1 clear, at the break it was 8 to 4 for the winners. A goal by John Buckley at the three quarter stage reduced the deficit to two points but late points by Ger Moynihan and John Paul Brosnan secured Gneeveguilla their final place, 0-12 to 1-5.
Leading Scorers:
Ronan McAuliffe 0-18 Scores for 2-40
Michael Moynihan 2-2 Scores against 2-20

Kilcummin had a bye to the quarter finals and had a facile victory over Legion. A Ronan O’Connor goal before the break saw Kilcummin lead by 1-7 to 0-2 at the interval and another goal 9 minutes after the restart guaranteed victory by 2-11 to 1-6.

In the semi final with Dr. Crokes, last years champions led by 5 to 4 when Eoin Brosnan goaled, but three unanswered points left just a point in it at the break, 1-5 to 0-7. Three early Crokes points had Crokes in the driving seat before a controversial penalty scored by Eamonn O’Donoghue had the sides level and after Colm Cooper pointed Crokes in front, D.J. Fleming's equaliser deep into injury time left the sides on level terms at the finish, 1-9 each.

In the replay the sides were level, 2 points each at the end of the first quarter, but inspired play from Michael McCarthy in particular saw Kilcummin dominate and they led by 7 points to 3 at the break. It was a similar story in the second half with McCarthy, Eamonn O’Donoghue and Ronan O’Connor in great form and Kilcummin led by double scores when Karl McMahon had the only goal of the game deep in injury time to leave Kilcummin through to their first final since 1973, 0-12 to 1-6.

Leading Scorers
D.J. Fleming: 1-17 Scores for: 3-32
Eamonn O’Donoghue: 1-3 Scores against: 3-21