Jimmy Barry-Murphy was nearly lost for words as he basked in glory as St Finbarr’s are back on top on Leeside.
The Togher side had to grind it out to overcome Nemo Rangers in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday evening.
The Barrs won on a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-13 thanks to Cillian Myers-Murray’s late point.
Barry-Murphy came on board before the 2024 season to be part of Brian Roche’s new management ticket.
“It feels great, proud of the lads, delighted for the backroom team,” he said to The Echo post-match.
“They’ve done all the work really. Brian Roche, Martin Desmond, Ian Keeler, Tomás Manning, they’ve put in a huge amount of work, along with a lot of others who I can’t name.
The St Finbarr’s team celebrate after their win in the McCarthy Insurance Group SFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: Dan Linehan
“But a proud day for the Bars and, you know, it could have gone either way out there today, there’s no point in saying otherwise.
“Nemo are a great club with great spirit, we knew it was going to take a massive effort to beat them, but we just about got home in the end.
“They had it over us so it’s our turn today. It’s a great county to win because we had to be great teams to win this.”
Not for the first time this year, St Finbarr’s were in a spot of bother at half-time, but composure and squad depth proved crucial and that has probably been the difference in them getting over the line.
“We weren’t happy at half-time, we weren’t playing that well. I thought our second half display was excellent, the players showed great courage and great belief to win the game.
“If we were to lose by a point, I don’t think the lads could have given us anymore to be honest. I thought today, substitutes were key for us.
“You hope when you have subs, that they’ll make an impact and they did that. We also had big performances from big players, the likes of Brian Hayes, Ian Maguire and Steven Sherlock. They led from the front.”
Alan O’Donovan, Nemo Rangers, getting in a tackle on St Finbarr’s Ian Maguire. Picture: Dan Linehan
The pitch invasion once the final whistle blew showed how much this meant to everyone associated with St Finbarr’s. Their four-year drought without Andy Scannell is over and now a first win over Nemo in the final at the fifth attempt.
“Look, you asked me about the Nemo record last week, it’s a big factor, because they’re a fabulous club with an incredible record in finals. That’s why it’s extra special for us today.
“Today is a proud day, and I’m proud of the lads. I can’t believe it. I was just overcome completely with emotion when the game was over, great to have my grandchildren here today, it’s just fantastic. I never thought I’d see that day again.” Barry-Murphy concluded.
