SAHC: Fermoy were fuelled by being written off before impressive win over Killeagh

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SAHC: Outstanding Fermoy shock 13-man Killeagh in fiery contest

Fermoy manager Barry Cullinane's reaction after their win on Friday evening said it all.

The Avondhu team came out fighting in Ballynoe in their Co-Op SuperStores SAHC clash with Killeagh.

It was backs against the wall for Fermoy after losing to Carrigtwohill first day out. Killeagh were slick in their win over Na Piarsaigh.

Fermoy suffered Division 2 league demotion this season while Killeagh went the other way. The latter won by nine points in the league meeting back in March.

The Imokilly side might have ended up with 13 players after two straight red cards in this latest battle, but this was no fluke, a fully deserved 1-16 to 3-5 win for Fermoy.

The Fermoy boss is a former Galway senior dual player and was a selector with the Cork senior ladies football team in recent years.

“We have 30 players who probably took a bit of umbrage to 1/9 versus 6/1 in the odds for this game,” Cullinane said post-match, who is in his first season in charge.

Fermoy manager Barry Cullinane on the sideline against Killeagh. Picture: Larry Cummins

“We had no doubt after watching Killeagh recently that they would be favourites coming into this one and rightly so. But we know what we have in our group. We were written off to a certain degree. Apart from the second quarter against Carrigtwohill, we battled really hard and I was impressed by that.

“It was really our first time together after so many injuries and what not during the league. We learnt a lot from that Carrigtwohill game. We have great leaders inside in the dressing room.

“I am just delighted for the players, they have worked very hard all year. Their attitude has been second to none. Sometimes fortune favours the brave.”

Fermoy put in one of their best performances in quite some time just when it mattered. The victory keeps their qualification hopes alive.

“I thought we managed the game relatively well,” Cullinane says.

Brian O'Sullivan, Fermoy, strikes a free against Killeagh. Picture: Larry Cummins

“This is my first season involved with Fermoy, but I have just been reliably informed that it was up there as one of the best performances and wins in the history of Fermoy.

“One of the parameters for me when I came into the job was to try and develop a panel. The league, while results wise was frustrating, we developed players that contributed this evening.

“Maybe those lads mightn’t have started or came on for Fermoy previously. We fully focused on what Fermoy could do rather than worrying about the opposition. Even without the two red cards for Killeagh, I thought we got a lot right and deserved the win, but a lot to work on.”

It sets up an intriguing final Group 1 game against Na Piarsaigh in three weeks’ time. A victory would seal a knockout place for Fermoy, which would be huge for them.

Darragh Daly, Fermoy, in action against Killeagh. Picture: Larry Cummins

“A win is always a benefit, but it can also paper over the cracks, so we know that we need to improve on certain things. We won’t have an awful lot of time to work on those, the lads will go into football mode in the next couple of days.

“After the football, it will be very much down to recovery. It’s important that we build on this win. It’s all about growing as a team.” the Fermoy boss concluded.

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