6 days ago
Tomás Collins and Kilmurry eager to earn their right at Intermediate A grade
Kilmurry have built solid foundations over the last number of years. However, the latest step on their journey to where they are - the Cork Intermediate A ranks - was a heartbreaking one.
Having won the Premier Junior county against neighbours Canovee, on they went to secure Munster honours - at the third time of asking after defeats to the David and Paudie Clifford-led Fossa and Listowel Emmets in 2022 and '23 - against another Kerry outfit, Firies.
Then, in early 2025, came the heartbreak. The high of winning that Munster would turn to despair as they would agonisingly miss out on an All-Ireland JFC final berth after being pipped by Naomh Pádraig of Donegal on penalties at the last-four stage.
Looking back on the year as a whole, centre-back Tomás Collins recalls the fondest of days for the Parish. He couldn't be prouder of their county and provincial success.
"Canovee are our next-door neighbours. I've played hurling and soccer with those lads; we're well familiar with each other. It meant everything to the parish," the 25-year-old said, before going back over the emotions of that Munster final success in Mick Neville Park. "It was an incredible feeling. We just gave it our all; we put our heads down over the winter and really focused on winning the Munster."
Tomás Collins in action for Kilmurry in the Munster quarter final. Pic: Larry Cummins
Collins, who was previously on the books at League of Ireland side Cork City, immediately pivots to the All-Ireland hurt felt a few weeks later. The penalty heartbreak in Parnell Park.
"It was a terrible feeling."
But things have moved on for Collins and Kilmurry. What awaits a camp ready to build on the foundations previously laid is an Intermediate A campaign.
A fruitful Division 5 league campaign garnered silverware earlier this month as Galway native Ruadhán Ó Curraoin hit 1-11 to lead his side to a commanding win over Gabriel Rangers.
Now with championship on the horizon, it's a camp - now under the stewardship of Brian Harte following the departure of Cormac Linehan - that knows they have to earn their right to succeed at this elevated grade.
First up in a tough group that also contains Ilen Rovers and Boherbue (2024 finalists) is a meeting with St Vincent's in Ballyanley this Saturday evening.
"The main objective is to get out of the group and build from there," Collins said. "It's a higher grade than last year, teams are going to be tougher to beat and we'll have to earn our right to play this grade.
"Hopefully, we beat St Vincent's in the first game at the weekend and then we can build from there. The league has gone well; every training session has been different. It's new to us, and they are really working well behind the scenes.
"We just want to take it game-by-game, we have to earn our right to be here, we're new to this grade. We have to play each game and just build from there."
