Wonder Wall starts the party for Kilmurry to leave Canovee crushed 

Following their 2022 Junior A triumph, captain William Ronan lifted county silverware for the second time in three consecutive final appearances for the men to the south of the N22. A third successive Munster campaign will follow beginning at home to the Clare champions Clarecastle or Michael Cusacks.

There was never more than two points between these teams across the hour but when the music stopped, Kilmurry were one to the good.

Man of the match James O'Mullane, who slotted the equaliser with six minutes to play, won the late free for Wall to tap over. A minute later, the all-action midfielder came up with a sliding block at the other end to deny Connor O'Neill a potential winning goal.

There was more drama still. A pick off the ground gave Canovee a tricky free. With their usual taker subbed off, O'Neill's effort drifted away but was kept in. Aaron O'Mahony blocked down an Evan Dodd effort but the ball was forced out for a 45. Conor Dodd stepped up but it fell short and ricocheted wide. After seven added minutes, three more than advertised, the final whistle was sounded to Kilmurry’s joy and relief.

It was a contest full of hard-hitting physicality until a scrappy second half ensued. Canovee's only score in that half was O'Neill's goal, while Kilmurry survived 18- and 20-minute scoring droughts in either half to prevail.

Having lost to a late St Finbarr’s goal in last year’s final, this one will feel extra sweet.

These two clubs must’ve faced each other hundreds of times down through the decades across all grades but never on such a grand stage. They play hurling together, they play soccer together, but in football, the parish is split in two.

Canovee won the toss and chose to take the swirling wind into the City End. Kilmurry won the throw-in and took the opening point through Lloyd Asling.

Canovee hit back. Jack Kelleher scored a brace, the latter after forcing a free from the short kick-out. Conor Dodd then slalomed through and played Odhran O'Driscoll in on goal but having been put off by Aaron O'Mahony, his shot shaved the wrong side of the post.

Kilmurry chipped off the next three points. All three Asling brothers were on the board when Alexander and Lawrence scored before Wall's free made it 0-4 to 0-2.

As the rainclouds burst, Canovee got a temporary stranglehold around the midfield through Aidan Murphy, who assisted three points, and Conor Dodd.

He laid on points for Mark Healy, James Moynihan, and his midfield partner Dodd. In between, Brian McNabola kept the ball in play and Kelleher broke through a high tackle to point.

Wall was Kilmurry's chief creator. He assisted two points and won two frees he converted himself. His final free ended an 18-minute scoring drought to leave the half-time deficit at one point; 0-6 to 0-5.

Kilmurry found a higher gear on the restart. James O'Mullane caught the throw-in and seconds later, Wall was slotting his third free to level a fourth time.

Wall followed up with his first from open play, a superb 40-metre strike, before laying on another for James O'Mullane.

If Canovee looked shaken, it didn't last long. Captain Will Ahern drew a free at one end and when they worked possession forward, it was the defender who launched a floater into the square.

McNabola broke the ball favourably for O'Neill to charge in and send a diving punch to the net. Canovee back ahead, 1-6 to 0-8.

The game turned scrappy and legs grew tired with no score for another 17 minutes. When it arrived, it went to Kilmurry. When two defenders bumped into each other, Brian Hinchion chipped the ball up for James O'Mullane to level.

It came down to a game of last score wins and Kilmurry found it when it mattered most.

Scorers for Kilmurry: L Wall (0-5, 4 frees); James O'Mullane (0-2); A Asling, Lawrence Asling, Lloyd Asling (0-1 each).

Scorers for Canovee: C O'Neill (1-0); J Kelleher (0-3, 1 free); C Dodd, J Moynihan, M Healy (0-1 each).

KILMURRY: J McDonnell; G O’Mahony, A O’Mahony, W Ronan; B Hinchion, T Collins, A Asling; K Kelleher, James O’Mullane; L Wall, Lawrence Asling, R Duggan; Lloyd Asling, John O’Mullane, P Berhanu.

Subs: Joe O'Mullane for Berhanu (43), O Keane for G O'Mahony (50, inj), J McGinn for Lloyd Asling (58).

CANOVEE: B Cheasty; B Ring, E Lehane, C Cronin; W Ahern (capt), R Delaney, O O’Driscoll; A Murphy, C Dodd; C O’Neill, D McMahon, J Moynihan; J Kelleher, B McNabola, M Healy.

Subs: P O'Leary for McMahon (43), S Riordan for Cronin (57), E Dodd for Moynihan (58), S O'Connor for Kelleher (60), P Healy for M Healy (60+3).

Referee: C Murphy (Glanworth).