'Incredible' journey for Mark Hopkins and Glanmire to end 37 year wait

In the end, it came down to a Daniel Molden converted free in stoppage time to bridge the gap since the late Teddy McCarthy captained the team to glory.

The hard-earned result also meant Daniel Hogan and Cathal McCarthy added a county intermediate football medal to the Premier senior hurling medal won with Sars in 2023.

“It’s been a long time coming,” manager and former player Mark Hopkins said.

“The last time we got to a final was 18 years ago. I’ve been involved with Glanmire all my life, it's been an incredible journey for me personally and for the whole parish, we’ve been working really hard underage for the last number of years.

“We saw what the girls did last year, they went to an All-Ireland final, and we said why can’t we do the same.” 

It took every ounce of energy for Glanmire to overcome a David O’Connor and Kevin Cremin inspired Boherbue that did all the running in a wind-assisted first half.

Glanmire trailed nine-four at the break.

Substitutions helped turn the tide.

Molden (two frees), and subs Cathal McCarthy and Harry Jones cut the gap to two points at the three-quarter mark, 0-10 to 0-8.

The next score was a green flag raised by Conor Crowley - Cian O’Donovan and captain Conor Neligan superb in the build-up in the 47th minute as Glanmire took the lead for the first time.

Resilient Boherbue weren’t giving in, talisman David O’Connor levelled and the same player edged his team back in front.

The Duhallow side managed to steady the ship, outscoring Glanmire three to one with three minutes remaining, 0-14 to 1-9.

Another big moment arrived when Daniel Hogan put Shane O’Driscoll through and O’Driscoll sent a pile-driver to the top left corner to regain the advantage for Glanmire.

Again Boherbue fought back, this time an Andrew O’Connor free from the right, 2-9 to 0-15.

Molden’s placed ball in the 63rd minute would be the winning score.

Boherbue, who were contesting their first final in this grade having won the junior in 2021, had one last chance, but it was a difficult free from out the field, and it didn’t have the distance.

“To a man, everyone performed admirably,” Hopkins added.

“We lost Jeremy (Kingston to injury) and we were down to 14 men at the end (all subs used) but we dug it out.

“I hope it’s the start of something special, that we can go on to levels higher, and do ourselves justice.” 

Scorers for Glanmire: C Crowley and S O’Driscoll (1-0 each), D Molden (0-4 frees), D Lynch (0-1 mark) and C McCarthy (0-2 each), D Hogan and H Jones (0-1 each).

Scorers for Boherbue: D O’Connor (0-7, 0-2 frees), D Moynihan (0-1 mark) and D Sheehan (0-2 each), G O’Sullivan (free), J Corkery (mark), Alan O’Connor and Andrew O’Connor (free) (0-1 each).

GLANMIRE: B O’Connell; O Kelleher, C O’Donovan, B Murphy; C Neligan (Capt), D Kenneally, D Murray; T Leahy, T O’Donoghue; D Hogan, D Lynch, E Murphy; A Marron, C Crowley, D Molden.

Subs: J Kingston for T O’Donoghue (26), S O’Driscoll for O Kelleher, C McCarthy for E Murphy, H Jones for T Leahy (all half-tine), D McCarthy for D Lynch (50 inj).

BOHERBUE: D Cremin; D Buckley, M O’Connor, J Daly; D O’Sullivan, D Moynihan, C O’Keeffe; L Moynihan, K Cremin; B Murphy, G O’Sullivan (Capt), Alan O’Connor; D Sheehan, J Corkery, D O’Connor.

Subs: Andrew O’Connor for C O’Keeffe (35), M O’Gorman for D O’Sullivan (44), A Murphy for D Sheehan (63).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).